This article is a conceptual and methodological exploration of a new construct, task interactional difficulty, and of a possible approach to assessing task demands in general. After arguing for the use of 'task difficulty' instead of 'task complexity', the notion of task interactional difficulty is analyzed, first by reviewing previous SLA…

Statistical interactions between two instructional methods and five cognitive aptitudes were examined to determine whether the methods are most effective among different learners. Sixth grade students (n=275) were randomly assigned to eight periods of rule-example (ruleg) or example-rule (egrule) programmed instruction in critical thinking.…

Documentation of classroom processes and interaction plays two roles; it is helpful in classroom/program evaluation, and in the continuing personal and professional growth of the teacher. Documentation in the evaluation context is not primarily concerned with narrow objectives or with standardized tests, but rather seeks to determine meaning over…

Reviews some of the current approaches for assessing asynchronous interaction. Describes an approach to assessing the contributions of students to an asynchronous forum (WebBoard) based on social constructivist learning theory. Presents a taxonomy of computer mediated discourse organized by the Simmons levels of assessing reflective thinking. (AEF)

DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF OBSERVERS, TEACHERS, AND RESEARCHERS IN DESCRIBING CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR, THIS MODEL WAS SET UP IN 3 DIMENSIONS--CONTENT-SKILLS, CONCEPT LEVEL (DATA, CONCEPT, GENERALIZATION), AND STYLE (FOCUSING ON DESCRIPTION, EXPANSION, EXPLANATION, EVALUATION-EXPLANATION, AND EVALUATION). SUBDIVIDING CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS IS ACCOMPLISHED…

Measuring the exchange process between teacher and child, a neglected but necessary pursuit, is dependent upon the identification of the behavior system through which information is exchanged and upon the instrumentation used for measuring that exchange. This paper describes an instructional strategy, intended for use with disabled readers, in…

Examines developments in early language intervention within a framework of general early special education and early intervention. Reviews models of language and communication intervention in terms of efficacy, parent/child interaction research, and parallels with early-intervention models. Offers guidelines based on the literature concerning…

This paper examines aspects related to the validity of process-product research involving classroom observation and teacher effectiveness. Differences in categories, terminology, and definitions of five classroom observation instruments are delineated and discussed in relation to their various effects on the validity of process-product research…

Proceedings of a 1980 workshop in Queensland, Australia, on evaluation in distance teaching are presented. Two focal areas were the assessment of students and evaluation of programs and courses. In addition to keynote and workshop papers, a variety of evaluation forms are presented. Among the papers and authors are: "The Setting of Tertiary…