Mosston's spectrum of teaching styles can serve as a guide for teaching and research in physical education. It can also lead to increased academic learning time (ALT), physical activity time, critical thinking, time on task, and fun while participating in softball, especially in one softball variation known as Alaskan Rules Softball. This article…

The University of British Columbia-Vancouver (UBC-V) implemented a campus-wide survey of faculty teaching practices and perceptions. All 11 Faculties participated, resulting in a total of 1177 responses for an overall response rate of 24%. We compared response patterns of faculty who reported spending less than 25%, between 26-50%, between 51-75%,…

During my English Language Arts methods class, I noticed that my discussion patterns were teacher-focused and in an Initiation-Response-Evaluation format. Because I wanted to model dialogic methods of whole-class discussions for my preservice teachers, I recoiled from this finding and began a self-study using an action research method to examine…

We studied instructional interactions through semi-structured observation of 13 student- teacher dyads involving elementary students with cognitive disabilities. Special educators' use of directions and responses of differing modes and types was analyzed. Student task-engagement behaviors (i.e., active engage, disruptive, passive on-task,…

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)

This article examines the issue of instructional time from the perspective of the teacher educator. The importance of using instructional time effectively is discussed and suggestions to monitor and improve class time management problems are presented. (MT)

Research on teaching has begun to yield important distinctions between the teaching performances of more effective and less effective teachers. More effective teachers are shown to use a wide variety of teaching behaviors at appropriate times. Teaching behaviors comprising Direct Instruction are most effective for keeping students on task. (JN)

Introduces concepts and terminology of time-based research on teacher effectiveness and outlines a set of data-gathering techniques to obtain information on teacher effectiveness. Provides a theoretical and practical background (variables, basic data, predictive analyses, teaching techniques) of a large-scale study on teacher effectiveness. (EKN)

This study of the instructional ecology of 52 high school resource room programs for mildly handicapped students found that teachers instructed in a wide variety of content areas and had high student engagement rates. Instructional practices generally associated with high achievement were not typically employed. Implications for teacher training…

Achievement and student attitudes were studied using data from 250 secondary Ontario mathematics classes. The differences between semester schools versus year-long schools were examined. Hours of instruction and teachers' experience were also noted. Lower achievement was observed in semester classes, with no advantage in student attitudes.…

Sixteen students with learning disabilities in junior high special education classrooms were given instruction in science, with levels of teacher enthusiasm manipulated. Results suggest that more enthusiastic presentations resulted in significantly higher academic achievement and lower levels of off-task behavior. (Author/JDD)

Interaction styles of special education teachers were investigated using semi-structured observation of 13 student-teacher pairs during one-on-one language arts instruction of elementary students with cognitive disabilities. Teacher use of directions and responses of differing communication modes and types were analyzed. Student task-engagement…

Lessons in values development were observed in classes of Dutch students, aged 10-15. A 22-item observation instrument was used to record the amount of classroom time spent on a particular category. Factors which affected students' behavior included nondirective versus directive teaching behavior and certain questioning techniques. (GDC)

Successful implementation of Public Law 94-142 demands that teachers have the skills necessary to plan an objective-based, individualized program. Research supports the use of individualized instruction in mainstreamed physical education classes. The concept of learning time gives teachers a way to evaluate their own teaching and their teaching…

To increase the academic achievement levels of its students, the District of Columbia Public Schools adopted a teacher training model known as Academic Learning Time. A description of the training of observers and teacher trainers is included. (Author/DF)