Purpose: To develop a comprehensive model of professional characteristics of an educator that will prepare them for high standards of professional achievements, as all professions demand standardization and formulation of guidelines in today's competitive environment. Design/methodology/approach: Literature on essentials of an educator was sourced…

Summarizes teacher effectiveness literature and explores teaching-as-science and teaching-as-art, attempting to choose the best metaphor to describe the profession. The science-process metaphor has a better chance for improving teaching, though becoming a classroom scientist or researcher may be a difficult and lengthy process. Includes 24…

Each of the five principal goals of education--cultural literacy, understanding, synthesis, mastery, and involvement--is best achieved using teaching strategies that develop thinking skills appropriate to the curriculum objectives associated with the goal in question. The specific strategy selected depends on learner readiness and content…

Discusses competencies necessary for structuring teaching-learning environments (data, stimuli, and strategies) in objective-referenced or criterion-referenced instruction. Teaching competencies (behaviors) listed are pointed toward music instruction, but are applicable for all subject areas. (Author/AH)

Discusses selected aspects of understanding spoken foreign language within the parameters of a suggested model of listening comprehension. Suggests some educational strategies in accordance with the proposed model and indicates some of the ways in which computer-assisted learning might help to develop listening comprehension. (EKN)

The artfully inviting teacher utilizes both personal and professional teaching strategies and is thus most successful at maximizing student development. Personally inviting behaviors send messages which communicate caring and positive regard. Professionally inviting behaviors increase the recipients' efficacy, competence, and independence.…

It is suggested that a close consideration of a particular poem should dictate what the teacher does with it in the class. The poem should elicit the students' attention. (Author/AM)

A framework for teaching critical thinking skills is presented, and specific strategies that can be used at key places in this framework are outlined. The framework requires that teachers employ direct, systematic instruction in critical thinking skills prior to, during, and following student introduction to these skills. (RM)

The availability of several effective teaching models that allow the teaching of thinking skills and subject matter simultaneously proves that intellectual processes and content are not incompatible subjects for instruction. These models differ significantly from traditional models, and adequate training in them will require a thorough commitment…

Examines the appropriateness of the second-language teaching/learning model when applied to college-level first-language writing instruction. (RL)

Describes three approaches to language arts instruction--student centered/integrated, content centered/segmented, and a combination of these two--and examines the strong and weak points of each. (HTH)

Points out the benefits of "sciencing"--helping children learn the methodology and processes of scientific investigation through the use of play experimentation. (SKC)

This article summarizes for teachers the results of a Schools Council study on the advantages, disadvantages and processes of mixed ability teaching in mathematics. (SJL)

Effective teaching capsules were devised to disseminate current research findings to public school facilities. This method of staff development reports on effective teaching methods and subject matter information. (DF)