This narrative account describes issues confronted by third grade students, their teacher candidates, and their experienced teacher as they sought to implement a knowledge building approach. Data come from the class database, videotape recordings, and the teacher's narrative account of the year. There is particular emphasis on the teacher's…

This case study evaluated a second grade teacher and her students and the implementation of a conflict resolution program in the classroom; the goals of the evaluation were to provide descriptive data on the success or failure of the program and why those results occurred, and to make recommendations for program improvement. The study used…

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were any statistically significant differences in the pretest and posttest examination scores between students in two undergraduate biology classes taught in two fundamentally different praxes at the University of Nevada, Reno. Biology 100, an introductory biology course for non-majors, was…

The literature on college instruction reached a peak in 1996, one reason being that this topic relates to the larger discussion about the changing role of higher education and to faculty members' changing priorities. Trends identified include the integration of technology into instruction; an emphasis on interdisciplinary teaching and learning;…

Provides a general overview of humor and its use in educational settings and makes specific suggestions to educators who want to include or increase its use in their classroom. Discusses characteristics, benefits, categories, student perceptions, stages of humor, sources and forms of humor, and pacing. (DC)

Undergraduates' responses to a teacher evaluation instrument were analyzed for the factors indicated, students' preferred learning style, and teaching style. Teacher evaluations tended to be higher when the teacher's style matched the student's learning style. Research on congruency of styles and student achievement is recommended. (GDC)

The author outlines thinking skills he feels are critical for students to learn for the present and the future. He includes a rating scale to help teachers evaluate how well they are promoting these thinking skills in their classrooms. (Part of a theme issue on the future in education.) (SJL)

Stating that there is a difference in acceptable behavior for female and male trainers, the author offers guidelines for constructive classroom leadership styles for women. She describes the most frequent problem areas (establishing authority, the feminist issue, use of humor, and profanity) and how to deal with them. (MF)

Comparative research was conducted on two preservice teacher education field experience programs. The "Tutoring Program" was designed to place participants in active teaching roles by having them prepare remedial lessons and tutor pupils. The "Teacher Apprentice Program" was designed to expose participants to a full range of teaching…

Eleven studies of the accuracy of teachers' reports of their classroom behavior are summarized. Teacher reports of specific behaviors were not very accurate, but grouping answers into dimensions resulted in greater correspondence between teacher reports and observations. Self-reports used to classify teachers on a continuum appeared trustworthy.…

Suggestions for improved course management include: (1) up-to-date syllabus, (2) course objectives and teacher expectations communicated in syllabus, (3) written weighted requirements for course, (4) written expectations in regard to papers and projects, (5) discussion of student responsibility, (6) clarification of grading criteria, (7) state…

Suggests that a holistic approach to teaching prospective teachers should encompass a knowledge base drawn from three paradigms: (1) instrument/technical; (2) interpretive/constructivist; and (3) emancipative/social reconstruction. Argues that use of such an approach will result in professional maturation and an expansion in influence in the…

Reviews the author's experiences as a high school art teacher on a Navajo Nation reservation in Arizona. Describes the reservation and characteristics of Navajo culture. Discusses efforts to adapt teaching strategies to the Navajo classroom and the instructor's experiences in getting to know students through art. (AJL)

Factors keeping teachers "in the box" of traditional education are the physical and psychological environment, the moral setting, and staying true to the discipline. "Out of the box" teaching is experiential, student-centered, interdisciplinary, and cooperative. Each way of teaching leads to a particular way of knowing.…

Argues that globalization is undermining the state. Calls for a reconsideration of the concept of citizenship. Points out that adult education has traditionally stood outside the institutionalized education sector and has served a more democratic and radical function. Claims that as adult education becomes institutionalized it will lose this…