This study analyzed the social interaction sequences and behavioral components of social interaction in two toddler playgroups across a 7-month period. Playgroup number 1 was composed of 6 male toddlers aged 1 year and playgroup number 2 was composed of 6 male toddlers aged 16 months. (JMB)

Provides a twofold plan for staff development and peer evaluation linking evaluation and training of teachers. This process enables teachers to have their professional needs met while treating them as individuals and improving classroom skills. Includes a classroom observation checklist and a teacher evaluation system form. (MD)

Abstracts the International Reading Association's outstanding dissertation, a study examining narrative accounts in the day-to-day conversations of five- to seven-year olds with their friends, the range of narrative forms they produce, and the social and interactional functions served by such narratives. (SR)

Research on protocol materials (PMs) for teacher preparation is discussed. PMs are audio, visual, and/or written records of some important classroom- and school-related events accompanied by theoretical knowledge that illuminates the event. Incorporation of PMs into teacher education needs to be researched further. (TJH)

Describes and illustrates how to make and use portable, lightweight tree stands for use as nature observation platforms. Offers conservation and safety precautions. (NEC)

In the past few years, many school districts have initiated teacher induction programs that pair veteran teachers with novices. This article describes a program and discusses how teachers develop collegial relationships. (MT)

Six preservice physical education teachers were studied to discover what observatiotn and perceptual processes were used during an early field experience. Results revealed that subjects made observations about students' movement responses, students' movement characteristics, and organizational tasks and patterns. (Author/CB)

Students' expectations (obtained on the first day) and the violation of these expectations are two possible factors that affect course evaluations. Their effects on students' final interest and future intentions are compared with students' actual reports of the class given at the end of the semester. (Author/MLW)

Two recent books that confront the questions and assumptions of traditional and new paradigms for studying education are discussed: "Organizational Theory and Inquiry: The Paradigm Revolution" (Yvonna Lincoln, editor) and "Naturalistic Inquiry" (Y. Lincoln and Egon Guba). (MSE)

Investigated the effect of row versus table (clustered desks) seating arrangements in three classrooms with children having emotional and moderate learning difficulties. Results showed on-task behaviors doubled as conditions changed from desk clusters to rows. Rate of disruption was three times higher in the desk cluster seating arrangement.…

Discusses the basic character of qualitative, humanistic research, identifying its philosophical and theoretical commitments. Provides a taxonomy of investigative strategies employed, including naturalistic inquiry, contextualization, maximized comparisons, sensitizing concepts, and analytic induction. Classifies methods employed as participant…

Participant observation of 32 mildly learning handicapped and 32 nonhandicapped adolescents in a high school setting found that handicapped adolescents had fewer friendships than did their nonhandicapped counterparts, less stable friendships, and less evidence of intimacy and empathy between pairs of handicapped peers. (Author/DB)

This paper critically reviews administrator work activity studies which follow the research of Henry Mintzberg. It discusses directions for future research using qualitative and quantitative methods and discourages research that relies solely on Mintzberg's structure. (Author/JAZ)

Methods developed by staff at the Herzen Pedagogic Institute in Leningrad for observing and analyzing lessons taught by student teachers are described and compared with other techniques. (Author/MT)

The critical incident technique is an exploratory qualitative method of research which generates a comprehensive and detailed description of a content domain. It consists of asking eyewitness observers for factual accounts of behaviors (incidents) which signficantly contribute to a specified outcome (are critical). This paper illustrates how to do…