Methods for encouraging student questions and replying to them are discussed. (JD)

It is necessary to understand the intention of a teacher in a specific situation if the behaviors of the teacher and student are to be fully understood. The interactive nature of teaching emphasizes the need for an understanding of the role of feedback in teaching methods. (JN)

Comparison of the relative effectiveness of part versus whole teaching strategies for students (N=24) with moderate and severe mental retardation found positive (but not significant) effects favoring the part method. Students taught by the part method exhibited less excess behavior than did students taught by the whole method. (Author/DB)

This review defines contingency contracting and describes its theoretical basis, examines empirical studies using contingency contracts to improve various school-related behaviors, discusses potential advantages and problems, provides recommendations to assist school personnel in effectively using contingency contracts, and suggests areas in need…

A comparative analysis of student-centered and teacher-centered instruction in two undergraduate college courses in educational psychology supported findings regarding learning and attitudinal differences favoring student-centered course sections over teacher-centered sections. (JD)

Twelve adults were asked to teach four pairs of preschool children in which one member of the pair exhibited problem behavior. Results indicated that the adults engaged in teaching activities with nonproblem children more often than with problem children. When an adult worked with a problem child, the breadth of instruction was more limited.…

This paper outlines, and refutes, concerns about structured behavioral teaching methods for children with learning difficulties. Concerns addressed include overly heavy reliance on extrinsic rewards, emphasis on learning without understanding, failure to allow students to learn from their mistakes, teaching out of context, and little use of…

Offers techniques for teachers to become more acquainted with students and their different personality types. Lists factors that may contribute to why a child is difficult in class and discusses some of the different kinds of atmospheres that can be generated in order to make the classroom a more peaceful place. (CW)

In this article, the author provides several strategies on how to help children who will not follow rules. These strategies include: (1) allowing lots of talk time; (2) increasing small group activities; (3) reconsidering one's pacing; (4) scheduling additional free time; (5) reducing transition times; (6) reevaluating classroom rules; (7)…

In this study, an autism support teacher used a high-probability request sequencing technique to help a middle-school student with autism engage in three transition behaviors. High probability request sequencing refers to a procedure in which 2 to 3 preferred questions, highly associated with compliance, are rapidly given before presenting a low…

Despite a plethora of studies that describe the characteristics of effective mentors and the qualities of effecting mentoring initiatives, the research does not examine the nature of written feedback provided to beginning alternatively certified teachers. In addition, there is a gap in the literature that identifies the most useful type of…

This brief synthesis provides a summary of intervention practices that are supported by empirical evidence for promoting adaptive social-emotional behavior of young children in group contexts (e.g., pre-K classrooms; child care settings). The focus of the synthesis is on toddlers and preschool children who are identified as having disabilities or…

In this article, the author shares her experience teaching at Rita Cannan Elementary, in Reno, Nevada, and describes how she and her colleagues teach lessons on citizenship education that are part of their social studies program. She describes an approach she used, which focused on student leadership rather than teacher intervention, that led to…

Due to deficits in communication, students with autism experience anxiety and confusion, which cause withdrawal and disruptive behaviors. However, teachers can create a positive educational environment that will facilitate learning by having an understanding of autism and of the characteristics associated with children with autism. One important…

Studies on special education teacher time use (TTU) have indicated that special education teachers spend small percentages of their day teaching. The authors examined goal setting and self-monitoring to change the time use of 4 teachers. In terms of TTU, each teacher articulated goals for increasing some tasks (e.g., instruction) and decreasing…