This qualitative study investigated the types of conflict elementary principals encounter and the behaviors of the principals that led to successful or unsuccessful results of those conflict situations. The Critical Incident Technique was used as the means of gathering data for this study. Data were gathered from 32 principals in a midwestern…

Summarizes findings of a study that identified the criteria of managerial effectiveness at department level in secondary schools. Outlines both the "universally applicable" and "education-specific" competencies. Discusses implications regarding the selection, appraisal, and training of managerial staff in secondary education.…

The critical incidents method is an instructional method that is particularly suited for use with adult learners. The method involves the following sequence of activities: brief introduction to the subject under consideration, short explanation of the critical incident technique, presentation of the critical incident and directions, group work and…

A research program at the University of British Columbia has investigated parents' influence on the career development of their adolescent children, focusing on parents' intentions, the actual activities they engage in, the interpersonal structure in which the activities take place, the ways in which parents and young adults construct the domain…

Culture forms the basis for cross-cultural awareness and understanding. The initial response to a new culture is to find it fascinating, exotic, and thrilling. Although, to function in a new cultural environment, and become aware of deep cultural patterns people need time, research, and investigation. Dealing with a new culture, people need a…

Describes two assignments: one dealing with the writing of sales and collection letters and the other concerning critical-incident scaling and decision-making effectiveness. (FL)

A survey of 148 nonfaculty professional and managerial staff members of the University of Western Ontario examined information seeking habits, the role of the campus library in meeting information needs, and the suitability of the critical incident technique as a methodology for understanding the relationship between professional and…

A one-year study is being conducted to provide a comprehensive, empirical definition of the factors that produce inequitable access to computers and computer knowledge for women, to generate a list of potential solutions to this problem, and to develop a self assessment instrument for use by educators to identify the inequitable access factors…

This manual provides a comprehensive approach to problem solving; it is written in narrative style with numerous examples. The guide is organized in eight sections that cover the following topics: (1) problem-solving overview (with suggested readings and recommendations for schools); (2) a five-step model for solving problems; (3) strategies for…

Three reviews discuss a new approach to inservice teacher training based on peer coaching and staff needs and evaluated via student outcomes; formative evaluation for teachers using weekly "critical incident" questionnaires completed by students; and ethical practices related to camp programs. Discusses implications for camp, four ethical…

Presents simulation materials for teaching the U.S. congressional budget process that was developed for an introductory course in public policy. Follows the class throughout the simulation experience. Includes a summary of the scenario and description of students' experiences with mechanics, schedule, assignments, roles, and rules. (NL)

This annotated bibliography contains nine items addressing assessment methodology. The titles are: "Performance and Product Evaluation"; "The Critical Incident Technique"; "Constructing Achievement Tests"; "Applying the Assessment Center Method"; "Performance Assessment in Education and Training:…

Emphasizing critical thinking as the source of renewal and survival of organizations, this document begins by analyzing the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the destruction of the space shuttle Challenger as examples of inadequate critical thinking. The role of management education in promoting critical thinking is explored as well as the need for a…

Classroom actions of early French immersion teachers were identified and the teachers' perceptions of their effectiveness were determined. The majority of actions referred to vocabulary instruction management. The need for a distinct teacher preparation program for teaching in a second-language context was found. (Contains 43 references.)…

This study was conducted to identify critical incidents which presidents, administrators, faculty, and student services personnel reported as examples of effective and ineffective leadership behaviors of community college presidents. Of the 1,491 surveys mailed to personnel at 11 Iowa community colleges, 511 were returned, yielding 709 effective…