In a "risk society," as defined by Beck [(1992). "Risk society, towards a new modernity" (M. Ritter, Trans.) Newbury Park, CA: Sage, see also Castel, R. (1991). "From dangerousness to risk." In G. Burchell, C. Gordon & P. Miller (Eds.), "The Foucault effect: Studies in governmentality" (pp. 281-298). Chicago: The University of Chicago Press],…

Research on teaching is beginning to uncover what teachers do to create conditions that foster learning. Some ideas about teacher behavior that have been linked to positive learning outcomes are explored. Five teaching styles that can be linked to research findings are presented. (DF)

Temperament type is a key to understanding the classroom behavior of social studies teachers. Current criticisms of strategies employed, dependence on the textbook, fact oriented testing, and the dearth of problem solving in lesson planning are grounded in professional decisions based on temperament preferences. Employing four types of temperament…

Studies the effects of multiple staffing in an early childhood classroom through the use of participant and classroom observation. Interpersonal relationships, territorial ownership, and differential status characteristics contributed to differential behavior of an educator. (RJC)

Research on teaching has recently focused on the cognitive aspects of teachers' work, using a variety of verbal report procedures. It is argued that the models implicit in this research frequently underestimate the complexity of teachers' professional thinking and that teachers' verbal report data reveal characteristics of teaching which research…

This study is concerned with preservice primary school teachers (N=100), a group of tertiary students who traditionally come from the secondary school stream. These students have, on the whole, avoided subjects like physics, chemistry, and mathematics that demand a high level of cognitive development for understanding/assimilation of abstract…

Issues pertaining to the validity of student ratings of teacher effectiveness, research on "educational seduction," and implications of the research for the evaluation and improvement of teaching are reviewed. Criteria that have been used to validate student ratings include student achievement, faculty ratings, self-ratings, research productivity,…

Reports on a study of 110 secondary social studies teachers and the variables that affect the use of learner-centered teaching strategies. Found that methods used in the preservice social studies methods courses had a significant impact on methods used by teachers. Concluded that teacher educators should increase the use of learner-centered…

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between early family experiences of student teachers and observed teaching behaviors in preschool settings. A total of 109 students enrolled in teaching practicums at two locations completed a background information questionnaire. Subjects' teaching behaviors were noted by trained…

A set of dimensions for describing teacher discussion style is presented in this paper written in 1963. In the task dimension, teacher style is defined in terms of statement posture (positive or negative assertion), discussion posture (teacher's attitude toward information, e.g., descriptive, analytic), statement types (value judgments or factual…

This report focuses on current attempts by researchers to examine teacher effectiveness through the "task hypothesis," which asserts that effective teachers accomplish a large and diverse set of tasks--or discrete, goal-oriented units of work--in their classroom. After an introductory critique of past efforts to assess teacher "traits" or…

Three undergraduate students were observed and trained through a two-way audio-video telecommunications system to use prescribed teaching tactics with preschool-aged handicapped children. Televised graphic feedback alone was insufficient in producing desired changes in teacher behavior, but televised graphic feedback plus televised verbal…

Study correlated teacher characteristics derived from qualitative methods (interviews, observation, etc.) with results produced by quantitative methods (measurement of eye contact, facial expressions, voice level). The teachers' commitment to their students' learning was reflected in their adaptable and effective classroom behavior. (MJP)

Reports on a study of how seven fifth-grade teachers organized their social studies curriculum following the adoption of a new textbook. Finds that teaching styles were more varied than might be expected given the similarity of materials. Discusses three observed teaching styles. (CFR)

This paper reviews significant research findings from the past 10 years which demonstrate that teachers' attitudes, expectations, and behavior have significant practical effects on student achievement. Although causes of differential interaction are not definitely established, it is clear that many teachers vary sharply in their interaction…