Classroom interactional patterns depend on some contextual, cultural and local factors in addition to the methodologies employed in the classroom. In order to delineate such factors, the focus of classroom interaction research needs to shift from the observables to the unobservables like teachers' and learners' psychological states and cultural…

Throughout the world, young children are introduced to some form of nursery rhymes. In Japan, the first type of rhyme a child encounters is called "warabeuta"--songs created through play. The English translation fails to accurately capture the degree to which "warabeuta" include body movement, touch, and interaction with other…

The notion of "Shido" (comprehensive social involvement of the teacher in guiding the student) explains how Japanese educational system incorporates, without conflict, apparently contradictory elements: egalitarian group focus in elementary school and student stratification by ability and socioeconomic status in high school. Focuses on…

Based on 128 studies comparing the effects of technology instruction and conventional instruction in Japanese elementary and secondary schools, this meta-analysis describes the findings for student achievement (116 studies), aptitude treatment correlation (9 studies), and student attitude (8 studies). Findings are analyzed by both type of media…