To establish baseline data on South African children's behavior, observed 80 children at home and interviewed the children's primary caregiver. Gathered data on patterns of interaction and language use, content of activity, and use of objects. Presents general biographical and behavioral data, notes gender differences, and compares this data to…

A case study assessing a psychogeriatric service in the United Kingdom is evaluated. The methodology, combining naturalistic and scientific approaches, was found to be useful in extending access to decision making and improving information, but it was expensive to support, requiring high commitment and willingness to compromise from all…

This article describes a computer-based system, the "Direct Observation Data System" (DODS), which allows for unobtrusive collection of direct observational data in the classroom and natural settings. At present, DODS consists of event-recording and duration-recording programs which can be remotely accessed. The device has implications for…

Observations of five-year-olds (n=6) about their understanding of base 10 and numbers greater than 20 showed that although these students did not have adequate skill in use of the base 10 number system to count by 10s, they did demonstrate concepts about big numbers. (21 references) (MKR)

Conducted an ethnography to evaluate the usefulness of the notion of community of practice in classroom settings. Documents how collectively available knowledge of a classroom community was transformed as resources and practices were adopted by more and more members. Discusses implications for the organization of classroom environments that…

Describes (and presents in an appendix) the Multidimensional Reading Instruction Observation Scale, a formative evaluative instrument to evaluate the quality of reading instruction by recording interactions between student and teacher regarding cognitive processes, affective processes, and management skills from three perspectives: teacher…

Reports results of a study of the ways in which undergraduate and graduate music majors evaluated the teaching methods of graduate associate music instructors. Reports that evaluators gave instructors high marks for characteristics including enthusiasm, interest in the student, and patience. Concludes that untrained evaluators can reliably analyze…

Describes results of an analysis of children's knowledge and use of social representations of gender. Reports that researchers observed four first-year primary school classes in England. Concludes that boys and girls possess similar knowledge of the relationship between gender marking of social category membership and material culture. (SG)

Observation of 10,213 interactions in 182 secondary vocational classes found that (1) males received more teacher interactions than did females; (2) female teacher interacted more with males; (3) male teachers criticized males more often, but used praise, acceptance, and remediation equitably; and (4) very little praise or criticism was evident…

An exploration of the interpretive potential semiotics offers for study and understanding of meaning production in science classrooms is presented. Some very basic concepts of the theory are introduced, followed by analysis of a single science lesson. The organization of the room, the structure of the lesson, and the behavior and interaction of…

Describes a study conducted in the Netherlands to provide an understanding of how secondary school teachers actually use computers in the classroom. The use of classroom observations, interviews, and teachers' diaries to determine factors affecting the extent and type of use of computers is explained, and a model of factors is presented. (Contains…

Schedules of classroom activities and direct observation of actual activities were collected in 24 early childhood special education classrooms. Significant differences were found between the amount of time that teachers allotted for activities (such as play, self-care, transition, and story time) and the amount of observed time that children…

An ethnographic study of two secondary schools in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is reported that examined the functions of English-Kiswahili code-switching among students. It argues that code-switching is used strategically by both teachers and pupils for meaningful classroom interaction and also reinforces the view that English is more appropriate for…

Physical educators can enhance students' motivation to learn by collecting portfolios of items that reflect students' skills, understandings, social behaviors, and values. The article explains characteristics of portfolio assessment, discussing how to develop and evaluate portfolios. Brief descriptions of methods and portfolio items, illustrated…

Examines the basic tenets of qualitative, or naturalistic, research methods in terms of their grounding in social science and their value to library and information science research. Topics discussed include the research problems; data collection, including interviews; data analysis, including content analysis; theory development; and ensuring…