Synthesizes research on teaching expertise from physical education and other fields, offering two examples of expertise-related topics in physical education (the importance of personal performance skills and observational skills). The paper discusses cognitive, behavioral, and mixed indicators of expertise. Methodological problems in undertaking…

Four expert high school special education resource teachers were observed providing classroom instruction. Content analysis of postobservation interview transcripts was used to identify the presence of 124 reflective practice indicators in the subjects' instructional decisions: 49 for personal responsibility, 39 for testing, and 36 for problem…

Natural statistical models based on renewal processes for individuals' Behavior Stream are developed. For continuous observation, statistical and psychometric properties are obtained for empirical: (1) rates of behavior; (2) proportions of behavior type; (3) prevalence; and (4) event duration. Results provide a guide for design and analysis. (SLD)

Discusses a new observational measure for classroom practices, the Classroom Practices Inventory, which is based on the Guidelines for Developmentally Appropriate Practices of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This scale demonstrated internal consistency in tapping the curricular emphasis of emotional climate of…

Examines the oral language and related literacy performances of four four-year olds to determine the role and functions of oral language in prekindergarten classroom exchanges, writing episodes, and print-awareness tasks. Children who are adept in oral use of Halliday's seven functions have a developed sense of their culture's literacy and perform…

A microanalytic description of teachers' interactions with children suggests that the sociomoral atmospheres of three types of classrooms differ considerably. Children in the direct-instruction classroom experience an almost totally unilateral relationship with the teacher; in the constructivist classroom, there is more reciprocity and intimacy;…

Establishing caring relationships with students challenges all teachers. The article examines one student teacher's intentions to care and control, noting teacher educators and novices must understand the tensions and connections of caring and controlling. Constraints on student teachers' powers to care and establishment of legitimate authority…

An Australian survey found that early childhood teachers were very supportive of early identification of gifted and talented children, though many had only a fuzzy definition of giftedness and suggested teacher observation as the best identification technique. Teachers who had been involved in gifted education recommended more specific…

Examined behaviors of second and sixth graders during (1) unsupervised free time; (2) unsupervised desk work; (3) supervised free time; and (4) a class lesson. Second graders worked on their assignments whether or not the teacher was present. In the class lesson context, children in both grades exhibited work behaviors and few peer interactions.…

Examined the "learning-to-teach" process in Portland State University's alternative teacher education program by observing and interviewing six student teachers who identified the source of influence for each recorded teaching behavior. Results indicated a strong relationship between teacher education program design and influences on…

Reports the results of an observational study concerning mathematical word problems to provide direction for others contemplating analyses of student difficulties from a theory base. Finds that most students experience difficulties in applying past experience, knowledge, and the language of mathematics to form internal world models. (PRA)

Reports 126 interns' ratings of 31 existing and ideal clinical supervision behaviors before and after 4-month internship, to determine satisfaction with cooperating teacher supervision. Training and frequent practice in clinical supervision rated most ideal supervisory behaviors. Audio, video recording rated lowest. Recommends observational method…

Discusses cooperative learning, asserting that students must be individually accountable and credited for their efforts to help teammates attain goals. Describes the Peer and Self-Evaluation System (PSES), a new and reliable procedure in which students identify and record team skills and receive confidential feedback regarding personal strengths…

Investigated what physical education (PE) student teachers observed and responded to during secondary PE instruction. Videotapes of eight PE student teachers in the classroom and audiotapes of discussions with their university supervisors about teaching events indicated that they had developed observational and analysis skills in three areas:…

Notes that as more young children with disabilities are included in classrooms for children who are developing typically, practitioners must continue to identify and refine strategies for making inclusion successful. Discusses a successful inclusion program that is observation based and child initiated. Discusses a procedure that facilitates the…