This paper presents an action research study as part of a Dissertation in Practice. Based on observations from the classroom of the participant-researcher, Problem of Practice is described: an over-reliance on teacher-centered instructional methods and the mismatch of these instructional techniques to the pedagogy endorsed by the International…

Problem-based learning (PBL) is widely endorsed as a desirable learning method, particularly in science. Especially in light of the method's heavy demand on resources, evidence-based practice is called for. Rigorous studies of the method's effectiveness, however, are scarce. In Study 1, college students enrolled in an elementary physics course…

The paper reports the findings from a project which examined the interface between Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) and eLearning in a higher education setting. Traditional uses of ICTs in Higher Education have focused on the "transfer model" where existing face to face pedagogies have tended to be transferred to approaches to eLearning.…

This study investigates the effects of the learning/teaching environment on students' approaches to learning (i.e. combination of intention and learning strategies) and compares a lecture based to a student-activating setting within the first year of elementary teacher education. Data collection (N = 790) was carried out using a pre-test/post-test…

Designed to identify promising methods of teaching library reference skills to elementary school students, this study included an extensive search of the literature and a pilot experiment to test the effectiveness of the methods identified. Testing materials, a transparency lecture series, and a self-paced instructional module with cassette tape…

Study of 24 second and third grade teachers to determine what characteristics and behaviors result in effective teaching. Results indicate that successful classroom performance is related to a highly autonomous attitude, preference for pragmatic activities, lecturing half the class time, having an abstract conceptual structure and the teacher…

This study sought to determine whether mnemonics or lecture was a more effective teaching technique in the instruction of world geography facts within a pull-out gifted education program for eight elementary-level minority students from a Hispanic dominant school within a rural, Hispanic dominant district. Graphic results supported the hypothesis…

Results of a previous study indicated no difference in preservice teacher attitude/achievement using lecture/inquiry approaches. This study was replicated, also examining effects of sex and students' (N=471) previous science training. Although results for science understanding were not significant, analysis of attitude change indicates that…

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the teaching concerns of two groups of preservice teachers who were taught language arts methodology through the use of different approaches. A traditional approach (lectures and demonstrations by the professor) was used with one group (n=43) and a field-experience approach (lectures by the…

This study was conducted to explore the relationship between teaching methods and students' grades at the college level. Subjects, 58 undergraduate students enrolled in 2 introductory education courses, were organized into groups and exposed to one of two teaching methods: the lecture format and reciprocal teaching. Reciprocal teaching engages…

Two methods of delivering direct instruction to preservice teachers were compared. Students (n=37) in a reading course learned the Directed Reading Activity (DRA) via lecture and discussion; 37 others learned with videotape and related practice. The latter group retained and used DRA knowledge better over a longer period. (Author/SM)

Reports on a study intended to compare the effects of two methods of instruction designed to teach preservice elementary teachers to acquire and retain integrated science process skills. Results indicated that the self-instructional method was significantly more effective than the teacher-directed method. (TW)