This report summarizes research on teacher effectiveness in social studies classrooms. Observations were conducted in a large urban school district on the west coast of the United States, as well as in selected classrooms in Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and Germany since 1991. Effective teachers are those for whom there is evidence that…

This article examines issues that were critical for eight preservice teachers learning to teach mathematics and social studies in the context of reform-minded methods classes. The issues include: (1) the impact of their prior knowledge and experience in the development of content-specific pedagogical knowledge; (2) their conceptions of mathematics…

In order to provide teachers with support for the improvement of computer-based problem solving, this paper considers the following research questions--and provides answers--about how to teach students problem solving and how to design training courses for teachers: (1) What are the teachers' and researchers' assumptions about the relation between…

A study explored how eight Technical and Further Education (TAFE) teachers from Canberra Institute of Technology were dealing with changes to their role as a result of competency-based training. An extended interview was held with each participant; a set of focus questions provided a loose structure. Five teachers were observed; where possible,…

A study was conducted at a new elementary school in central Virginia to investigate influences on teachers' choices of seating arrangements and to determine the best seating arrangement to use. Four classroom teachers, each with an average class size of 20 students, volunteered to be observed and interviewed. The teachers taught at different grade…

Chinese-American girls perform as well as Chinese-American boys at higher levels of mathematics. Caucasian-American girls perform significantly less well than Caucasian-American boys. This study, designed to examine factors involved in this differential, contrasts 25 first generation Chinese-American mother-father pairs and 27 Caucasian-American…

This volume lays out the human factors involved in effective teaching and encourages both future teachers and current practitioners to cultivate the personal and professional qualities found in the kind of teachers they want to be. The single most important factor in a teacher's effectiveness is described as his or her unique style of interaction…

The aims of college teaching are discussed, and a comparison of higher education in 1960 and two decades later is provided. After considering the development of a teaching style and the importance of the teacher's character, the joyful and spontaneous side of teaching are considered. The nature of teaching (i.e., art, science, or craft) is also…

This speech presents a case for "joining hands" as the educational theme of the 1980s. In "joining hands" with their students, schools need to abandon assembly-line models of instruction in order to adopt learning and teaching styles that nurture students' inner potential and provide for individual differences of both teachers…

The role of the computer is examined in Lester Demonstration School, an optional school program offered by the Memphis City School System (an Apple Classroom of Tomorrow site). The student population is almost entirely black and generally considered to be socioeconomically disadvantaged and academically at-risk. Repeated observations were made of…

The Great Starts Mathematics Approach, the early childhood component of the Staff Development Program in Mathematics, Science, and Computer Science, is a collaborative 3-year staff development project. The project's goal is to develop a model for improving mathematics instruction in kindergarten through second grade. This is the evaluation report…

This paper presents future directions for vocational education teachers and administrators in an effort to assist them in updating and revising their instructional programs. The paper begins with a synopsis of the history of vocational education and proceeds to visions of the future. An attachment defines good teaching (as perceived by Marshall…

Designed to provide a more positive learning experience in the area of third grade social studies, this project was concerned with improving the effectiveness of textbooks, developing critical thinking skills, providing group learning situations, and using the computer as an educational tool. Chapter 1 contains the outline of the research proposal…

Designed for the full-time, professional trainer, this manual is intended for use as a resource in conducting a short course for occasional instructors in the fundamentals of training. It is written in a modular format so that users can select those modules, or parts of modules, that meet the specific needs of their target audience. Trainer's…

The Action Oriented, Reflection Oriented (AORO) observation instrument was designed to help teachers determine their students' cognitive preferences. The assumption underlying the instrument was that learning is enhanced when teaching strategies and materials take into account the student's natural tendency toward action or reflection. AORO…