Reports on what British junior level teachers in the United Kingdom are doing in terms of giving formative/diagnostic feedback on literacy at Key Stage 2 classrooms. Finds that teachers made judgments about and provided feedback on a wide range of literacy events, even thought these interactions may not have been viewed explicitly as assessment.…

Mastery or "second chance" learning is easily adaptable to the principal's modeling through the classroom observation/supervision process. The five-step process (preobservation conference, performance of observation, postobservation conference, professional growth plan, and observation) helps teachers own the classroom observation process and…

Describes a study of seventh graders in Australia that was conducted to investigate the extent to which interactive video-based teacher ratings of social skill represented a valid measure of the actual classroom behavior of students. Correlations between the teachers' ratings and observed behavior are discussed and further research is suggested.…

Examines ways in which day-care center directors can share perspectives with classroom teachers and build good director-teacher relationships. Notes that the sharing of perspectives about the environment, a child, or an activity nurtures a collaborative effort between teacher and director, in which a common task becomes the focus for increased…

This article offers a framework for assessing problem behaviors in classroom settings. It explains three prerequisite steps (identification, prioritization, and delineation of operational definitions) and three methods for formulating hypotheses (structured interviews, systematic observations, and experimental functional analyses). (DB)

Presents a case for the development of new criteria for evaluating distance-learning instruction. Discusses elements of effective teaching and possible adaptations of those elements with regard to distance-learning situations. Contains 38 references. (SV)

Suggests the ways in which teachers can structure their classrooms, provide a range of challenging activities, and develop their observational skills identify the intellectual strengths of their students, particularly through the use of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory as a framework for recognizing children's intellectual strengths.…

Investigated the role of classroom characteristics and preschool children's complex interactions with teachers, objects and peers. Found that complex interactions with objects were most probable in dramatic play and in art activities with the teacher present. Complex peer interactions were rare, but complex teacher interactions were probable in…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

Describes the development of the Classroom Systems Observation Scale (CSOS), which assesses preschool through sixth grade classroom functioning from a systems perspective using a theoretical framework based on the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems. Discusses influences of home environment and parental support on learning; and…

Despite government rhetoric, higher education lecturers and schoolteachers in the UK remain under pressure to focus on standards and measurement in the core curriculum at the relative expense of a wider and more creative education. This article argues that the balance needs redressing and explores the nature of creative teaching in the context of…

This article examines conceptual learning of genetics in a Year 10 Australian classroom from an ontological perspective. The study was part of a larger research project about teaching and learning genetics with computer-based multiple representations. Genetics is an important but difficult topic to teach and learn at school. The study used an…