Findings are reported from an investigation which assessed the extent to which the supervisory style used by secondary education preservice teacher supervisors during microteaching lessons contributed to the preservice teachers' understanding of various teacher-centered and student-centered teaching strategies. (IAH)

Describes the contending rhetorics of two basic objectives for assigning students the task of writing research papers. Considers the assigning of research papers a problematic exercise. Provides student responses concerning their conceptions of research writing. Considers what teachers might do to change student perception of research assignments.…

Four students (ages 4-6) with developmental disabilities who exhibited challenging behaviors in teaching situations were exposed to high intensity and low intensity social interaction in a play situation and a task situation. Interaction intensity made no difference in students' behavior. Two students exhibited task avoidance and two exhibited…

Analyzes code-switched utterances in English-as-a-Second-Language classes in Sri Lanka. The study shows some useful functions code-switching serves for classroom management and transmission of lesson content. The negotiation of values, identities, and roles in the classroom prepares students for their sociolinguistic life outside. (24 references)…

A survey of 227 academically talented elementary students and 236 not so identified found that gifted students often begin with positive attitudes toward school but fail to maintain these attitudes because of the lack of appropriate challenge. There was no difference between the groups in level of boredom. (Author/JDD)

A study of middle-class second, fifth, and eighth graders showed the development of tolerant responses toward those who dissented from their opinions. Willingness to interact socially with dissenters did not develop. (BB)

The basic precepts and methods of educational drama are reviewed and compared to Native teaching and learning styles described in the literature. The benefits of including dramatics in Native teacher education are discussed, along with the overwhelmingly positive response of Native students. (Author/SV)

Examines teachers' political orientations to students, and discusses how teachers communicate power, how students perceive power, and how using power impacts learning, noting that teachers use power to influence students and to protect themselves from students and parents. Four ideas to heighten preservice teachers' political awareness are…

A teacher-designed study of 46 eighth-grade students in a southeastern middle school showed that a majority of students (male and female of high, average, and low ability) liked integrated curriculum, though males favored it more highly than females. This information lends support for middle-school curriculum reform efforts focusing on life skills…

Two studies involving 151 male and 103 female college students tested the hypothesis that women are more likely than men to focus on themselves and their moods when in a depressed mood, leading to longer periods of depressed mood. Results support the hypothesis. (SLD)

Parental reports of adolescent substance use (from 758 mothers and 420 fathers) were compared to the self-reports of 763 adolescents (390 females and 373 males) using identical scales. Congruence--defined as exact agreement about use--varied between substances and was related to the ages and grade point averages of the adolescents. (SLD)

Describes Minnesota's experience with expanded school choice. Explores individual students' experiences with alternative educational choices. Includes a history of school choice in Minnesota. Discusses findings of student surveys. Concludes that many students who have not succeeded in one school will flourish in another. (DK)

Four children without disabilities and 2 adult trainers interacted with 2 children (ages 11 and 12) with severe and multiple disabilities to determine effect on target motor behaviors. Both the adult instruction and peer social interactions increased motor responses. No differences were noted between adult instruction and peer social interaction.…

Describes a survey administered to 1,341 continuing-education students at Schoolcraft College (Michigan) to determine students' perceptions of the college and to collect more information about the college's customers. States that the Continuing Education Services Department will use this information to further enhance an existing marketing plan…

Examines the effects of conductor verbalization, dynamic markings, conductor gesture, and choir dynamic level on individual singers' dynamic responses. Indicates that verbal instructions from the conductor elicited significantly stronger dynamic performance responses than did the other instructional conditions. Suggests that additional research…