Involving two or more academic subjects, interdisciplinary studies aim to blend together broad perspectives, knowledge, skills, and epistemology in an educational setting. By focusing on topics or questions too broad for a single discipline to cover, these studies strive to draw connections between seemingly different fields. Cases on…

Describes an experiment exploring the effectiveness of four teaching methods: formal teaching, guided discovery, free discovery, and play. Concludes that all methods except free discovery are effective as long as memory is emphasized. Includes the tests used for the experiment in four appendices. Relates present results to previous research. (DK)

The purpose of this research was to estimate the educational production functions for students belonging to different subgroups in a principles of economics course. Three samples were used: (1) a large lecture class at a large state university (185 students), (2) several small sections taught by different instructors at a small private university…

Presents a teacher's reflection on his teaching using two different perspectives. The first perspective uses the cognitive apprenticeship metaphor as a tool for analyzing and understanding teaching. The second, a methodological perspective, uses conversational analysis to arrive at microanalytic descriptions and conceptualizations of teaching. (PR)

Suggests lessons and ideas about teaching and research that can be drawn from a teacher's experiences in two research projects. Considers developmental and situational dynamics in teaching. Describes how researchers' intentions and expectations frame and focus research findings. Explains how the description of teaching can become an intervention…

Classrooms are complex and dynamic places. The teachers that manage them need to be skilled in the organization of time, resources, and students if they are to be successful in helping their students achieve. This publication is the first in a series of six containing papers contributed to the workshop series sponsored by the Faculty of Education…

The study of science involves learning the processes of science as well as its content. The recent revival of interest in developing thinking skills has encouraged added emphasis on process skills instruction. A science teacher wanting to add instruction of process skills is faced with several problems: (1) texts and lab manuals are not likely to…

A format is proposed for use in systematic instructional designs where small group activities are planned. The format includes descriptive categories of activity identification; instructional objectives; role, task, and reward structures; evaluation procedures; and support system. Examples are given of how the format can be used. (Author/MBR)

Elementary preservice teachers (n=185) in a blocked program of methods courses developed integrated thematic units focusing on social studies and science that viewed reading, language arts, and mathematics as tools students use to study the major content areas in the elementary school program: social studies and science. This was a complex task…

GUIDON is an intelligent computer-aided instruction (ICAI) program for teaching diagnosis, which has been tested using the infectious disease diagnosis rules of the MYCIN consultation system developed at the Stanford University School of Medicine. GUIDON engages a student in a dialogue about a patient suspected of having an infection and thus…

Twenty primary school teachers using the resource room model with low performing, mildly intellectually handicapped, or learning disabled children in Queensland (Australia) were surveyed on their use of teacher effectiveness research in teaching procedures and functions. Effectiveness research was found to be generalizable to special and remedial…

Studies in the field of economics education indicate that teachers prefer content and a subject-oriented curriculum, while students favor a more personal relationship with the teacher and recognition as unique individuals. Mastery of subject matter is not as important to economics students. As a result, the following problems may occur in the…