This article discusses how ethnographic research can provide valuable insights into the nature and function of writing which can, in turn, be used to improve writing instruction in schools. (MT)

Difficulties arising from attempts to convert educational research into practice are reviewed, with the conclusion that confronting teachers' subjectively reasonable theories with objective nontheoretical facts will result in a set of very confusing, ineffective theories. (Author/CB)

Considered rehabilitation programs that are designed to provide various services to the handicapped and the effect of implementing a communications network. (RK)

Inservice teacher education is divided into three domains. The procedural domain includes political questions of control, support, delivery of inservice activities, and negotiation. The substantive domain involves technical issues, as in what sequence to teach skills. Within the conceptual domain, the questions are philosophically oriented. (JN)

Self-efficacy theory and research contribute to self-concept theory primarily by supporting the enhancement model of belief change. This article describes current problems with self-concept theory, describes self-efficacy research, and suggests that self-efficacy theory and methodology present findings that strengthen the association between…

A survey of research on teacher effectiveness (that is, whether what is taught is indeed that which produces improvement in student performance) reveals that very little is known about what makes a good teacher, a position that is becoming increasingly untenable as competency-based education is introduced. The main gap is in research into changes…

Authors describe how deficiencies resulting from isolation have been met through the development of an organization called Grand Rapids Public Schools-Western Michigan University Center for Educational Studies. (Authors/MB)

A series of steps needs to be taken in preparing for research-based inservice programs: training individuals to assume the role of facilitators of inquiry; developing materials and strategies for working with classroom teachers; developing appropriate evaluation procedures; and structuring opportunities to bring together the researchers and…

Teachers, as members of a craft culture, utilize information differently than do members of technical cultures. Information dissemination efforts for educators must focus on developing a craft dissemination system; a clash of cultures results in little change or research utilization. Cultural change, not use of new information, is the issue. (JD)

Three kinds of educational research--scientific, analytic, and interpretive--are examined, and the type of inservice activity most closely related to each is discussed. Effective teaching is defined in terms of a direct instructional model for delivering skills to students. Inservice can improve teacher effectiveness by modifying teacher behavior.…