Examines the types of comprehension problems that students experience in classrooms and the tactics they use to resolve those problems. Reports meaningful distinctions among classroom comprehension problems, and finds that the tactics used vary systematically in relation to the situation (class size and instructional format) and the type of…

Assesses the influence of student communication behavior on peer self-evaluation in basic communication courses. Shows that students in classes with "compulsive communicators" have significantly smaller gains in self-perceived communication competence. Indicates that the cognitive learning strategies model eliminates the suppression effect found…

This review of the literature related to research on oral communication in the classroom pursues two issues: the types of oral contributions students make and whether those types are related to school achievement. In considering research on oral communication in classrooms, the paper looks at information that considers whether the communication…

This study concluded that homophily (the degree to which interacting individuals are similar in certain attributes) did not affect judgment grading or cognitive learning; however, some teacher/student combinations produced better cognitive results than others. (PD)

Discusses the role played in classroom communication by each hemisphere of the brain and how each helps a child decide on the authenticity of verbal communication. Cites a study of verbal-nonverbal cues and brain functioning revealing that children rely on the nonverbal cues as indicators of the true message. (FL)

A study described the social interactions of ability-grouped dyads as they construct knowledge of the scientific concept of balance to elucidate the relationship between interactions and conceptual growth. The verbal and nonverbal behaviors of 30 fifth-grade students were recorded as they completed three activities related to balance and levers.…

Although mathematics can be described as a formalized language, the signs and symbols of mathematical representation are subject to individual interpretation, which, if inaccurate, can lead to inhibitions about and interferences with the mathematical learning process. The purpose of this study was to explore communication in an intermediate-level…

Examines the metaphors used by two teachers when they speak about their professional work. Describes the major metaphorical figures found in the language of each teacher (e.g., lessons as moving objects, time and attention as commodities, control as something exerted from above), and examines ways in which these are conceptually related. (JG)

A field study conducted in Israel sought to identify emblematic gestures (body movements that convey specific messages) that are recognized and used by Hebrew speakers. Twenty-six gestures commonly used in classroom interaction were selected for testing, using Schneller's form, "Investigations of Interpersonal Communication in Israel."…

Investigators wrote proposals for research on the nature and learning of communicative processes in the elementary classroom. Three questions were addressed: (1) What is the nature of communication in the classroom? (2) How do students acquire the rules of classroom discourse? (3) What is the effect of inadequate learning of classroom discourse…

This study focused on verbal and nonverbal immediacy behaviors of teachers, the relationship between immediacy variables and cognitive learning, as well as homophily, interpersonal solidarity, and student attentiveness at the senior-high school level. Subjects, 87 female and 73 male senior-high school students enrolled in interpersonal…

Employing learned helplessness theory as a trait orientation, a study examined the interrelationships existing between instructor classroom behaviors, student perceptions of control, and student behavioral responses in the college classroom. Subjects, 317 male and female undergraduate students who were enrolled in communication courses at West…

While there has been much debate about defining and teaching critical thinking, little discussion has occurred regarding the connection between critical thinking and creative thinking, especially in relationship to teaching speech communication. While it was once thought that creativity is something that some are born with and some are not, recent…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 12 titles deal with the following topics: (1) the relational nature of humor, (2) pragmatism and transaction, (3) within-channel redundancy versus between-channel redundancy in instructional material and its association with…

Using four classrooms for comparison purposes (grades 1 and 6 at Warm Springs Reservation which contained 95% Indian students and similar grades in two classrooms at a nearby off-reservation town of Madras, Oregon, which contained 95% Anglo students), the book contends that the children of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation are enculturated in…