Views of 3,670 students from six colleges and universities on most and least important traits of an ideal professor were analyzed. All data were collected with the same instrument. Data revealed students selected similar MOST and LEAST important traits of a quality professor. (Author)

A recent program at the University of Minnesota was studied in which undergraduate students taught 12 courses. Evaluation results indicate the program was successful both in terms of student satisfaction with the course, and undergraduate teacher satisfaction with having undergone the experience. (Author)

Attitudes toward and achievement in a foreign language were studied with 349 high school seniors. Controlling for native language achievement, difficulty in learning the language was an important achievement factor, and gender and years of study contributed to achievement. Implications for instruction are discussed. (SLD)

Examines whether observers' perceptions of private lessons are affected by the type of teacher verbalizations used to make student performance corrections. Asks preservice music education teachers (n=50) to respond to a 10 statement questionnaire after viewing two videotaped private lessons. Finds no meaningful difference in subject responses…

Evidence about students' performance in writing persuasive/argumentative discourse is examined through a review of the literature. Results suggest that students write narrative or descriptive reports better than argumentative reports. Questions of the difficulty and development of teaching persuasive/argumentative writing are considered, and…

Exceptional students need to learn self-directed behavior and self-management procedures, in order to enhance their adaptability and problem-solving skills in work environments. An instructional model to teach adaptability skills focuses on decision-making, independent performance, self-evaluation, and autonomy. Several procedures to promote…

Observation of 22 children with mild disabilities (grades 3-6) over 2 years in cooperative learning inclusive settings indicated that only 40% of the students successfully participated in cooperative groups. Differences among classroom practices (for example, selection of partners, teacher monitoring, and establishment of a cooperative ethic) were…

Describes a laboratory activity "Observing Reactions in Solution." The activity can be used either as a laboratory or as a performance assessment for a high school chemistry class. (PR)

This article argues that intellectual excitement and interpersonal rapport are important qualities that influence teaching effectiveness. It proposes a model of effective college teaching based on these qualities that utilizes a 39-item checklist evaluation form. The form was tested with students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill…

Describes an exercise designed to introduce basic concepts and techniques for a course in qualitative research methods. Discusses differences in the meaning of phrases on a student evaluation of teaching form. Suggests that the exercise will show how differences in meaning are connected to real social and political problems. (DK)

This study of implementation of a classwide peer tutoring program for 108 disadvantaged students found that specific variations in program implementation and teachers' applications of the program produced differential levels of student outcome. Implementation factors considered included, among others, opportunities to receive program sessions and…

The learning contract is the ideal way to enable the teacher to raise levels of expectation, to provide individual attention, and to personalize the educational experience. Includes a sample contract and suggested practices for the use of a learning contract. (15 references) (MLF)

Three cooperative learning methods--inquiry task design, two level content study groups, and test review teams--are described. Ways in which to incorporate these teaching techniques in a science methods course are included. The outcomes of using these methods on attendance and observed performance, product development, and performance on midterm…

Long-documented gaps between male and female performance on tests of spatial mathematics ability are discussed. Possible explanations are offered, and suggestions are put forth for cultivating spatial relationships ability in girls through sports and other activities. (PB)

Middle school and high school algebra students (n=2,369) taught in a manner consistent with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards took three standardized algebra assessments. Middle school students seemed to benefit from the approach, and high school students were neither hindered nor helped. (SLD)