This paper addresses methods of training special educators in the skill of reflective thinking during immediacy situations in the context of a structured intervention at Haifa University (Israel). Discussion considers D. Schon's reflection-in-action model of decision-making and problem-solving modes and R. Eisikovitis's Ethnographic model.…

Discusses the ghosts and haunting in recent American fiction. Considers the similarity of function of ghosts in contemporary ethnic American literatures. Identifies a specific kind of ghost story, a "cultural haunting," that has recently emerged in large numbers in ethnic American literature. (HB)

"Tissue rejection," rejection of an instructional innovation because of poor fit, is analyzed to demonstrate the problematic nature of appropriate information collection and the need for ethnographic "means analysis" to inform project design. Tissue rejection is attributed to informal orders within a host educational environment and communication…

Three case studies of Third World development illustrate the usefulness of qualitative research methods such as CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product), oneshot interviews, and grounded theory. Adjusting technology to people and cultures rather than changing people to fit technology is advocated. (SK)

Observes collaborative activities in three writing classes. Offers two ethnographic reports: one illustrating the tension felt by the instructors as a result of stalled collaboration; the other demonstrating a more successful collaborative sequence. Concludes that once the instructors learned to think collaboratively, they began wholly to redesign…

This paper describes the cultural influences on the process of interviewing families to develop intervention goals for young children with disabilities. It describes an approach to ethnographic interviewing that involves developing rapport, using descriptive questions, and carefully wording questions, to assist families in discovering answers to…

This article draws on sociolinguistics and educational anthropology to discuss (1) the concept of communicative competence in general and in the classroom setting in particular; and (2) findings from studies of home-school cultural discontinuities. The ability to empathize and understand is seen to help teachers and clinicians bridge differences…

Observation, questionnaires, and interviews at a South London adult education center showed that adult education offers a number of alternative examples but within a predominantly middle-class atmosphere. The dimension of equal opportunities and social justice is present but not yet a significant force in adult education. (SK)

Explores how the term "context" has been defined by writing researchers and tries to reconceptualize the construct of the term. Provides data from a year-long ethnographic study of graduate journalism education. Suggests that context for composing must include the histories of individual writers. (HB)

A theoretical approach to talent development in emerging nations is proposed, based on principles of curricular intervention derived from qualitative research. Implementation of such a culturally appropriate curriculum in Ebeye, Marshall Islands, illustrates the approach. Adaptations to other cultures are suggested. (Author/DB)

Summarizes the current state of research in conversation analysis, referring primarily to six different perspectives that have developed from the philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and linguistics disciplines. These include pragmatics; speech act theory; interactional sociolinguistics; ethnomethodology; ethnography of communication; and…

Ongoing art forms within Native American communities challenge outside perceptions of what constitutes tradition and help maintain Native culture. In addition, inclusion of such "folk" arts in new museum exhibits is expanding the definition of American art, challenging the old European canon, and raising questions about legitimacy,…

Ethnographic interviews with six adult basic education teachers showed that they (1) characterize students primarily in terms of psychosocial needs and (2) use implicit theories reflecting interpretation of those needs. Results demonstrate the complexity of the relationship between teacher beliefs and classroom practices. (SK)

Explores some implications of the redefinition of ethnography as discursive practice, of ethnography as "writing the other." Asserts that a central problem in discourse theory is the relationship between discourse and nondiscursive "reality." Argues ethnography is discursive rather than empiricist. Asserts that conflictual social theories produce…

Urges developmental educators to undertake classroom research. Offers guidance on the formulation of research questions. Compares four research methodologies: correlational, experimental, descriptive, and ethnographic research. Reviews potential problems. (DMM)