Observations were conducted in desegregated elementary school classes to determine the relationship between classroom conditions and pupils' interracial behaviors. Diffuse positive intergroup contacts were more likely to occur when teachers emphasized interpersonal concerns. Purposeful intergroup contacts were facilitated by teacher patience and…

This study was concerned with the measurement of a set of indicators of teacher competence, defined by the teachers themselves as observable in their classroom behavior. It was concluded that keys could be constructed to yield stable and consistent measures of most indicators of competency. (Authors/JN)

Academic achievement of pupils working in small cooperation groups was compared to that of students taught in the traditional whole-class approach. Pupils in grades 2, 4 and 6 from small-group classrooms excelled on high level items; the groups did not differ on items measuring low level cognitive functioning. (Author/GSK)

The effectiveness of an instructional-learning management system designed to minimize the time needed for students to complete specified learning tasks and to maximize the opportunity for the individual students to complete the tasks is investigated. Instructional design makes use of teacher's and student's school time more effective. (Author/RD)

Behavior of eight emotionally disturbed boys improved dramatically after a school psychologist observed their class and suggested management techniques. The psychologist clarified the teacher's role as educator, not clinician; restructured the daily schedule; increased the teacher's understanding of reinforcement; and implemented a token economy…

Describes the peer observation program developed by faculty at California State University, Dominguez Hills, its structure and adaptations, outcomes, and recommendations for development of formative peer observation programs. The program helps reduce faculty professional isolation by providing an informal structure for discussion of teaching and…

College faculty peer coaching encourages better teaching while addressing the unique nature of college instruction. It is non-evaluative, based on classroom observation or instructional materials review, and targets specific instructional techniques. Programs should have clear purposes and procedures, provide formal coaching training, provide…

Illustrates how to use ethnographic techniques to acquire a better understanding of classroom dynamics. The article focuses on the characterization of "success" in an Italian class through analysis of interaction patterns and purposes of the participants. Findings reveal the need for a continuity of teacher and students' goals, methods, and forms…

This study compared experienced physical educators' observation skills in teaching situations to those of first- and final-year student teachers. Participants viewed slides from gymnastic lessons and reported what they saw. There were significant differences between groups in several areas. Final- year and experienced teachers were similar in…

Reviews and evaluates approaches to the assessment of social skills of children, including sociometric approaches, behavior rating scales, interviews, behavioral observation, and analog role plays. The advantages and disadvantages of each assessment method are discussed, along with questions that need to be answered in any assessment. (CR)

Illustrates the utility of nonreactive measures with preschool children in a variety of contexts. Offers a rationale for using nonreactive and observational tests and interview measures. Discusses four types of nonreactive measures and their limitations. (Author/BB)

Describes a scheme of developmental classroom visits used in an inservice program for primary school teachers of English in Singapore. The observation series sought to develop teachers' critical thinking abilities by emphasizing focused content goals, links to course materials, teacher responsibility, teacher self-development, constructive help,…

Results are reported from a study of 42 middle-school social studies teachers which compared 2 approaches to measuring teachers' questions. The approaches focused on either teacher-to-group interactions or teacher-to-individual student interactions. Teacher questioning patterns were identified, and implications of these patterns on mainstreamed…

Results are reported from an experimental study involving 97 fifth grade math teachers in Thailand to determine whether participation in an inservice teacher education program directly influenced teachers' teaching practices and indirectly influenced the learning of their students. (IAH)

The Communicative Orientation of Language Teaching (COLT), a recently-developed observational scheme, is used to describe instructional practices in eight grade 11 core French classes. Classroom events and activities are discussed, and communicative features of verbal exchanges between teachers and students (or among students) as they occur within…