Teacher autonomy support and provision of structure are crucial for students' learning and motivation, yet it is unclear how to best blend them. Research describes autonomy support and structure as independent but mutually supportive, equivalent, and even opposite. These contradictions jeopardize the generalizability of findings across studies and…

This manuscript addresses how post-secondary educators can enhance their teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes through student assessment. Highlights will include evidence-based practices, teaching style, methodology, and the use of assessment data for university instructors. Primary focus will be data obtained from key stakeholders…

Recognizing that empirical research into classroom dialogue has been conducted for about 40?years, a review is reported of 225 studies published between 1972 and 2011. The studies were identified through systematic search of electronic databases and scrutiny of publication reference lists. They focus on classroom dialogue in primary and secondary…

Considers research trends concerning cognitive styles in relation to various classroom factors. Explores relations between the field dependence-independence cognitive style dimension and instructional approaches and materials, classroom organizations, and teacher-student match and mismatch effects. (RJC)

A model of teacher decision-making, which describes how a teacher pursues a plan by means of a set of tactics, is presented. It is argued that teaching competence derives in part from the teacher's ability to generate appropriate tactics. Implications for teacher training are discussed. (RLV)

As teaching has come to be defined as a skill which embodies both science and art, research on it has also changed. This article discusses this theoretical development, assesses the extent to which different teaching processes and outcomes have been enhanced, and hypothesizes about future developments. (JL)

Classroom research linking teaching behavior and classroom management to student learning, especially in the area of basic skills, is reviewed. (JMF)

This paper reviews the research carried out in New Zealand classrooms since 1967, including conference papers, theses and dissertations, published articles, and unpublished reports. Classroom research is defined as any work, irrespective of disciplinary affiliation, which is concerned with the actual day to day operation of classroom life. Review…

This article cites various research studies on matching learning and teaching styles and discusses possible problems of this approach. Several aspects of matching learning and teaching styles are offered for consideration: the effect of teaching on learning, classroom management, and how styles affect classrooms. (DF)

Reviews definitions of caring and describes a model of a caring professor, outlining the benefits, limitations, and other consequences of this approach to teaching. Argues that caring encourages student growth and learning and creates a safe environment for risk-taking. Provides suggestions for creating supportive postsecondary classroom…

Humor is an important tool for the teacher in college classrooms. Generally, laughter is a great benefit in anyone's life, having even physiological influence. Laughter reduces stress and may facilitate creativity. However, the use of humor can both enhance and hinder the learning process. Various researchers have tried to identify structures,…

This seminar overview presents a summary of widely accepted findings by researchers on the qualities, behaviors, and characteristics of effective teachers. As defined in this paper, an effective teacher is one who can engage students in the learning processes, minimize disruptive behavior, and produce desired learning in a large number of…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among teachers' goal orientations, structure (amount of directiveness provided by the teacher), and observable classroom behaviors to determine: (1) if teachers with different goal orientations differ in verbal and nonverbal affective responses; and (2) if teachers with different goal…

Determining the characteristics of effective teaching has been a problem for more than 50 years. Studies attempting to rate characteristics or to devise a fair evaluation method abound, but one necessary perspective must not be overlooked: that of the student. An effective teacher transmits knowledge with a blend of intensity and empathy that…

Sixty-four teachers and student teachers from rural and urban schools were given the Minnesota Teacher Attitude Inventory (MTAI) and the Classroom Environment Scale (CES) to investigate the relationship between teaching style and classroom learning atmosphere. Results indicated teachers create classroom sociopsychological climates consonant with…