Seating arrangements are important classroom setting events because they have the potential to help prevent problem behaviours that decrease student attention and diminish available instructional time. The purpose of this synthesis of empirical literature is to determine which arrangements of desks best facilitate positive academic and behavioural…

An investigation into two forms of group reinforcement techniques in control of disruptive classroom behavior is described. Implications of results on behavior modification in the natural environment are discussed, as well as future research and educational trends. (Author/AV)

The various approaches to research on teaching extend into notions about teacher change. It is difficult to discern whether researchers select research approaches on the basis of their beliefs about teacher change, or vice-versa. Models of teacher change related to these various approaches to the study of teaching include: 1) changing teacher…

Reviewed was research on the application of operant conditioning techniques to the modification of the classroom behavior of learning disabled students. The methodology and results of the studies were examined and each study summarized. It was concluded that there was little common interpretation of the term "learning disabilities" and that all of…

Learning of subject matter and acquisition of academically relevant skills are important goals in enhancing academic achievement in the classroom. The results of 22 experiments reviewed in this article support the validity of the academic performance targets but not classroom behavior targets. Some limitations on these conclusions are discussed.…

Three categories of dependent variables used in classroom research were defined: (1) academic--behavior related to a specific academic area, achievement, or test performance; (2) deportmental--behavior related to classroom conduct, such as paying attention to teacher, whispering, and following instructions; and (3) other--including thumbsucking,…

Case study assessed effects of rearrangement of desks in an open classroom on incidents of disruptive behavior occurring in that classroom. Results revealed that alteration of the physical environment produced positive responses from students through reduction of maladaptive behavior occurrences. (Author/MH)

This action research project sought to improve the social skills of targeted third-, fourth-, fifth-, and seventh-grade students in order to improve their classroom performance. The students' lack of social skills was documented by means of teacher observation checklists, teacher and student surveys, and past disciplinary records. Objectives of…

This multiple case study examined the phenomenon of gifted student underachievement, using creative productivity (Type III enrichment in Renzulli's Enrichment Triad Model) as a systematic intervention for reversing the underachievement pattern. Twelve teachers selected 17 underachieving students (ages 8 to 13) as subjects. The study first…