This study of preschoolers and their interactions with microcomputers identifies behaviors between children (positioning for turn at microcomputer, assisting peers, enforcing rules, dominating microcomputer) and between child and computer (object aggression, defending property, key manipulations, touching monitor). Children's understanding and…

This study of urban elementary school personnel and their opinions of traditional teacher evaluation programs found that teachers and principals felt most comfortable with evaluation programs they considered most accurate. Teacher self-evaluation tended to be seen as accurate by both teachers and principals. Includes a five-page table of data…

The Teaching Performance Observation Instrument enables evaluators to measure teachers' use of 25 specific teaching practices that research has identified as effective. These practices fall into five broad categories: (1) management of instructional time, (2) management of student behavior, (3) instructional presentation, (4) instructional…

Suggests simple ways to introduce students to the concept that the cell is the basic unit of structure of most organisms. Mentions materials for microscope study that are readily available and easy to handle, e.g., membranes from between the scales of the onion bulb, thin-leaved plants, pond water, and pollen. (JHZ)

Describes three themes that have informed research on cognitive development in sub-Sahara Africa over the past 10 years: (1) extending the range of generalizability of Western theories; (2) interpreting the uniqueness of the African situation; and (3) deriving implications for social policy. (Author/AS)

An experienced educator describes how a video studio was turned into an effective college writing classroom. Necessary equipment, the nine-step process students utilized to produce a short television documentary, and course outcome are discussed in detail. (MBR)

Describes use of case study method to systematically develop model of online searching behavior in which study design is flexible, data gathering and analyses are determined by subject matter, and specific procedures are decided upon while study progresses. Problems and measures taken to reduce their effect are discussed. (Eleven references are…

Examines reasons why some elementary and secondary students learn programming in BASIC and LOGO much better than others suggesting this happens because students bring different learning patterns to the programming context. Pitfalls novices face in learning programming are discussed, and instructional design suggestions to foster better learning…

Describes a study of preschool children's utterances and their context, intended to provide evidence of children's argumentative capacities. Shows how children, though perhaps not consciously, use language to intervene upon reality in order to modify a state of things by sensibly arguing their case. (SED)

An evaluation of the validity of direct observation measures of pupil classroom behaviors is presented. Three types of measures are discussed: molar, molecular, and molecular-composite. Consistent support for the validity of molar and molecular-composite types of measures is revealed. (Author/LMO)

This article explains why teachers must relinquish personal concerns to observe children more clearly. Careful observation makes it possible for teachers to learn students' needs and strengths and then develop strengths into positive ways of meeting needs. (DF)

Observers coded the behavior of 40 middle-class, traditional couples and their 5-month-old infants, and parents filled out attitude questionnaires. Fathers' sex-role orientation and both parents' views concerning the role of the father were found to be correlated significantly with observed levels of paternal activity. (Author/CB)

Discusses materials in the ERIC system concerning knowledge or schemata children have when they come to class, behaviors a teacher may observe, and suggestions teachers can keep in mind when planning creative activities that support children's meaning-making efforts. (HTH)

School nurses need to be aware of how divorce affects children and to have the necessary skills to assess emotional problems. Student behaviors to watch for that may indicate emotional problems are listed. (Author/DF)

Relates some of the observations made of a kindergarten classroom over a two-year period in which teachers simulated as many conditions as possible with respect to a natural "learning-how-to-write" situation. (HOD)