Describes a study exploring the social dynamics within a typical preschool classroom that included a 3-year-old with severe visual impairments. Notes findings that this child was an active participant in shared social experiences with his peers, which contributed to his membership and acceptance. Discusses adult mediation and interpretation of the…

Describes a two-day interdisciplinary field trip for a group of 63 ninth graders that was followed up in the classroom with related units in history, art, biology, English, and drama. Describes how the students were challenged to use nature to discover who they were, observing closely and then letting go in order to think and connect. (SR)

Reports on a qualitative study that explored strategies and behaviors of public library users during interaction with an online public access catalog, and users' confidence in finding needed information online. Discusses results of questionnaires, interviews, and observations that examined unknown-item searches, area searches, and known-item…

Investigates novice teachers' perceptions of pacing in music instruction and identifies the aspects of timing that are associated with evaluations of instructional pacing. Reports that pace of instruction was rated more positively when the rates of student performance episodes and teacher activity episodes were higher rather than lower. (CMK)

Studied attitudes of college faculty toward methods of formative evaluation of peers. Most of the faculty members participating, ranging from 10 to 82 at colleges in Iowa indicated that they would take part in classroom observation, videotaping, evaluation of course materials, and assessment of evaluation of the work of students as peer evaluation…

Findings of research at the University of East Anglia show that contemporary teachers will need to develop techniques for reflecting on their work and becoming involved with theory construction. Any resulting description should be non-judgmental in character. Examples of the kind of work that is done with groups of trainee teachers and future…

In a unique teacher-training program at Naropa Institute, future teachers learn to bring the fundamentals of Buddhist practice---observation, meditation, contemplation, and compassion--into the classroom. Contemplative teaching begins by rediscovering one's senses and by knowing and experiencing oneself directly. Spiritual education is not about…

Examines issues involved in collecting observational data and conducting a functional analysis of student problem behavior directly in the elementary classroom. Two cases of children with behavior disorders in special classes illustrate the active role that teachers can take in data collection and decision making prior to program changes.…

Explores the link among music content and teaching style and the changes in children's ratings of musical self-competence and their motivation to continue in music. Tested 100 Portuguese children over three years. Finds that declines in both motivation and evaluation of self-competence may be explained by excessive emphasis on aural skills and…

Describes three active learning strategies for use in a teaching assistant (TA) training program that can enhance graduate students' teaching skills: (1) in-class activities; (2) written assignments (journals, written exercises, and teaching portfolios); and (3) modeling and observation (watching versus performing teaching behaviors). (CMK)

Reports on five observations of children and adults involved in music activities and discusses three issues related to experimental research. Argues against the Mozart Effect, stating that the effects of music instruction seen within the classroom everyday are more significant. Discusses the results of Mozart Effect studies and educational…

Once the prevailing technology standards are established and understood, principals need to observe and evaluate how teachers translate standards into instructional practice. The Engaged Learning Profile Tool helps teachers assess their created learning environment and provides a starting point for technology discussions. Guidelines and indicators…

Presents a case study, through observation of a child named Hawk Weisman, that demonstrates a child's use of drawing to find meaning. Discusses Hawk's motivations for drawing, the recurring themes that encompass both humanistic and scientific concepts, and his homemade books. Addresses the educational implications. (CMK)

Investigates differences in literacy teaching and learning between classrooms following a literacy program and classrooms using standard practice. Reveals that in literacy program classrooms children devoted more time to reading, teachers used "direct teaching," and a greater amount of peer literacy learning occurred. Includes references and…

Discusses a self-study analysis of the use of video technology in an educational psychology course for preservice teacher education at Cleveland State University that has a required field component. Results of students' evaluations are presented that indicate positive feelings about the usefulness of video technology in preparing for observing in…