This report describes initial steps taken in a research project aimed at gaining insight into the nature of effective foreign language teaching. Two systems for observing and describing classroom behavior of teachers and students were developed in this experiment. These systems were used to observe university-level French classes. Data collected…

Twenty primary school teachers using the resource room model with low performing, mildly intellectually handicapped, or learning disabled children in Queensland (Australia) were surveyed on their use of teacher effectiveness research in teaching procedures and functions. Effectiveness research was found to be generalizable to special and remedial…

The Natural Approach to second language instruction has theoretical flaws and tends to reverse teaching methods that have been used successfully for many years. The approach exaggerates the presumed failure of previous language programs and ignores some important characteristics of children's language learning processes. It assumes that explicit…

A five-year study was undertaken to investigate the relative effectiveness of pre-retirement education (PRE) programs. Project staff identified for study three methodologies (the lecture series, the discussion group, and the "facilitated interaction" model) and four contexts for sponsor-settings (the employer, the education, the…

This study investigated the ability of preservice secondary school history and social studies teachers to transmit knowledge of the subject to students through methodologies designed to translate theory into practice. Participants in the study were 23 student teachers certified to teach history and social studies by Washburn University (Kansas)…

Studies in the field of economics education indicate that teachers prefer content and a subject-oriented curriculum, while students favor a more personal relationship with the teacher and recognition as unique individuals. Mastery of subject matter is not as important to economics students. As a result, the following problems may occur in the…

This study investigated the effects of three methods of teaching interpersonal relationship skills with the film "Relationships with Other People." The three methods of instruction were presentation of film only, print-based material, and formal classroom instruction. The following pre- and posttest instruments were administered to 210…

An exploratory study was designed to assess (1) whether a class created around older adults' personal recollections would motivate the class's involvement in adult education activities, (2) the oral history preparation process's impact on younger interviewers and older respondents, and (3) the instructional approach's strengths and weaknesses. The…

FIVE RECENT STUDIES AIMED AT MEASURING THE AMOUNT OF TRANSFER-OF-TRAINING FROM SPEECH TO WRITING (AS DEMONSTRATED BY STUDENTS PREVIOUSLY CONDITIONED THROUGH AUDIOLINGUAL CLASSROOM DRILL) ARE EVALUATED IN THIS PAPER. FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY RESEARCH, THE METHODOLOGY USED TO CONDITION THE STUDENTS AND TO TEST FOR TRANSFER IS DESCRIBED AND…

An evaluation project conducted at Dona Ana County Occupational Education Branch of New Mexico State University was designed to compare the effectiveness of Century 21 with Gregg Shorthand. Two classes of shorthand students were set up as experimental groups (due to student attrition, two more groups were added during the third semester). Their…

Because adult basic education (ABE) students often have difficulty with problem solving and comprehension, a study was initiated to determine (1) at what levels of cognitive development ABE students are operating and (2) how teaching materials and methods relate to these cognitive levels. Thirty-two ABE students were given a written test of…

TEACHING AS A TECHNOLOGY IS THE ARRANGEMENT OF CONTINGENCIES OF REINFORCEMENT UNDER WHICH BEHAVIOR CHANGES. RECENT ADVANCES IN TECHNIQUES OF BEHAVIOR CONTROL HAVE MADE SUCH A TECHNOLOGY IMMANENT, BUT THERE IS A SHOCKING LACK OF APPLICATION OF THESE TECHNIQUES. INSTEAD, TEACHING CONTINUES TO RELY HEAVILY ON AVERSIVE CONTROL FOR MOTIVATION AND TO…

This research report recounts the procedures, results, and recommendations of a research project in which more than 200 tenth-grade students in Florida were tested (1) to determine whether aptitude treatment interaction (ATI) effects on syntactic maturity and on knowledge of structural relationships occur after several months of instruction; (2)…

An evaluation project conducted at the Dona Ana County Occupational Education Branch of New Mexico State University was designed to compare the effectiveness of Century 21 Shorthand with Gregg Shorthand. Two classes of shorthand students were set up as experimental groups: thirty-five students in Century 21 and twenty-six students in Gregg. Their…

Two laboratory instructional approaches, individual project and mass production methods, were compared to determine their relative effectiveness in developing student understanding of industry in industrial arts. It was hypothesized that knowledge of tools, operations, industrial organization, and materials of industry could be taught as…