Ten 'informal' and ten matched 'comparison' classrooms were observed using the Pupil Activity Scan. Year-end testing indicated no differences in language development, problem solving, fine motor-figural perception, role taking, or understanding of classification, but informal classroom pupils appeared to be lower in reading and mathematics…

The focus of the study reported here is on two issues: whether the two most elaborate systems of natural observation, that is, those developed by Escalona and Watts could be applied to mother-child interaction recorded in a teaching situation; and whether there are relationships between maternal-child behavior so observed, and a more extended…

The development of a systematic method for observing and describing significant aspects of teacher-pupil behavior in an experimental preschool educational program is described. The intent of the observation and description was: (1) to determine the extent to which theoretical principles and stated educational objectives were being implemented in…

Teachers were designated as more and less effective according to their ability to teach specially constructed reading and mathematics curriculum units over two weeks. They were then studied to determine if their perceptions of classroom interaction and interactive decision making were different. They were also studied to determine whether they…

The purpose of this study was to illustrate the use of an interaction analysis in assessing specific objectives of the Demonstration and Research Center for Early Education (DARCEE) preschool program. A time sampling technique was used to monitor the interactions of 8 children (3 males, 5 females) in two settings in the DARCEE Head Start…

This unit of the Flexible Learning System (FLS) provides instruction for adults in helping children develop problem solving skills and attitudes, with particular emphasis on shifting the responsibility of solving classroom problems from teacher to children. Problems are treated as opportunities to learn in which individuals or groups want…

This report, addressed to the broad audience of cognitive scientists, examines research on cognitive change. In the introduction, background considerations are made, previous research is reviewed, and the report itself is outlined. The first chapter, "Finding Goals Outside the Laboratory," discusses how laboratory tasks can obscure research goals…

This study reports on differences in children's interactional behaviors in traditional and nontraditional classrooms. The Differentiated Child Behavior Observational System which provides for systematic recording of group behavior in ongoing classroom activities, was applied in two days of observation in each of 17 classrooms (grades 1 to 3, ages…