A learning-for-mastery approach, recommended by Bloom and based on key points suggested by Biehler, was used in large lecture sections of undergraduate educational psychology. Quizzes were composed of completion items; one or more alternate forms could be taken until mastery was achieved or grades raised. Students also did short papers on readings…

Typical negative reactions to the use of new technologies in teacher and counselor training are viewed briefly. Five training styles are discussed: (1) consultation; (2) audio recording; (3) one-way mirror viewing; (4) audio-video recording; and (5) coached clients and simulated experiences. The efficacy of each in meeting the behavioral…

In this study, four sections of a beginning speech composition class were assigned randomly to two instructors, each of whom taught one section using a conventional syllabus and the other section using a unit on organization of ideas which contained the Rhetorical Jigsaw Puzzle (RJSP) technique. Using this technique, students reassembled the parts…

The extent to which pupils at the primary level view Sesame Street and The Electric Company television programs and their impact on learning were studied. Questionnaires were directed to parents of children in eight kindergartens and to principals of the 34 elementary schools in Vancouver. At their homes, 95% of the kindergarten pupils had watched…

A skill-centered approach to teaching reading to children in grades K-6 in 80 elementary schools resulted in improved reading performance during a five-year program. (Editor/MM)

The current tendency toward uniformity of teaching methods and tests in the Hauptschulen ("terminal" junior high schools) is applauded. Using a picture story as an example, a list of criteria is given for the evaluation of student performance. (Text is in German.) (IFS/WGA)

A review of problems and prospects regarding the communicative approach to second language teaching considers learner needs, syllabi, "real" communication, teacher concerns, and future prospects. While there is a set of shared assumptions about the concept of a genuine communicative approach, there is no one specific communicative method. (CB)

Teacher training is discussed, focusing on the role of knowledge and performance in the training of skills, problems of design, and the effects of training methods. Research on the application and validity of training programs in the classroom and current knowledge of effective program components are reviewed. (TJH)

Describes a study of teacher-student interaction based on observed verbal behaviors of teachers at Medgar Evers College (New York). Reveals that teachers rated highly by their peers and students responded to student verbal contributions with criterion-based praise, used student ideas in class, and offered encouragement after effort. (DMM)

A study was conducted to determine if behavior contracting promotes learning of behavior strategies beyond what is learned in health instruction. The ability of college students to remember and apply behavioral strategies to a personal health situation was the focus of the study. (DF)

Several examples are provided of criterion checklists, which are defined as documents which include qualities of actions necessary in a desired performance or qualities of elements necessary in a desired product. How and when to use checklists in skill teaching and how to create them are discussed. (MBR)

Reviews research on the time factor in language pedagogy and on the relationship between time and other factors such as age, aptitude, previous language learning experience, and the total curriculum. Discusses the advantages of compact courses and outlines steps to be taken to implement them successfully. (SED)

Outlines the Intern-Intervention Program of Toledo, Ohio, that uses experienced teachers to train and evaluate both beginning teachers and experienced teachers with problems. (MD)

Literacy is often broadly defined as the ability to read, write, speak, listen, and think critically. Young people need to develop strong literacy skills to communicate effectively, gain respect from peers and authority, participate in their communities in a meaningful way, and fully contribute to society. Building literacy, therefore, goes far…

This article looks at current research concerning how students best learn the discipline of history, commentaries both in favor of and against standardized testing, and basic philosophical beliefs about the discipline. It explains methods of how to incorporate differentiated lessons and performance based assessments to NCLB standards and…