Characteristics of both successful and unsuccessful tutors at the Open University are illustrated, based on first-hand observation of staff members. Areas covered include: knowledge and handling of subject matter, general teaching skills, classroom skills, social competence, values and work rate, administrative competence, and style. (LBH)

Relations between certain cognitive and attitudinal characteristics and the instructional behavior of elementary school teachers are explored. (MM)

This paper examines tools that a teacher-librarian may be able to use effectively to develop cooperative planning and teaching to develop information literate students. It addresses the perspective of the teacher in the learning process and shows ways that the teacher-librarian can be a collaborative partner in the process. Issues related to…

Briefly reviewing his own research, and that of critics of the Pygmalion Effect, the author proposes a four-factor "theory" of the influences that produce the effect: the relationship of teachers to special students differs in climate, input, feedback, and output. (JM)

Based upon a paper at annual convention of National Council of Teachers of English (59th, Washington, D.C., November 28, 1969). (SW)

A recounting of some of the author's experiences the first year of her return to teaching high school English, with tongue-in-cheek advice to colleagues. (RD)

Newell and Simon's new theory of thinking is summarized and some educational implications developed. The enaction theory implies that thinking is a skill and should be taught like other skills, by teaching methods of how to perform it. The traditional theory of thinking and its influence are briefly discussed. (Author/MH)

A dialogue, in which one curriculum theorist tries to understand how another curriculum theorist teaches curriculum theory, is presented. The dialogue shares worthwhile approaches to teaching curriculum theory and explores assumptions that lie behind the problems of teaching curriculum theory. Implications evolving from the dialogue are discussed.…

Subjects (N=41) were randomly assigned to one of two groups defined by the teacher's clarity in a genetics lesson: low-clarity versus high-clarity. Subjects rated lesson presentation and completed a test on content. The high-clarity group perceived lessons as significantly clearer and achieved more than the low-clarity group. (DS)

This paper reports on an emerging technique that yields the kind of knowledge about cause-and-effect connections between teaching practices and student achievement on which teacher education should be based. That knowledge comes from the completion in recent studies of what has been termed the "descriptive-correlational-experimental loop."…

Audio-taped lectures by male or female professors were produced in four versions: no humor; sexual humor; other-disparaging humor; and self-disparaging humor. Male and female students rated lecturers' intelligence and appeal. Intelligence ratings were unaffected by humor variations, but significant lecturer-student sex interactions were found on…

Numerous criticisms have been directed at the effectiveness of the American public school system. Recent research on teaching effectiveness shows that teacher behavior and teaching style make an important difference to student learning. Proponents of educational reform should use research as a base for change. (JN)

Listed are seven devices which a teacher can use to measure his/her classroom skills in order to improve teaching effectiveness. Also included is a description of various teaching partnerships, and ideas for transferring the skills of teaching to other professions. (KC)

There are striking parallels between American schooling and American children's baseball. Coaches and teachers should talk to each other. Both would learn something about learning techniques and about dealing with children, and much about dealing with parents. (Author/SJL)