The way in which teachers view teaching and learning and implications for the improvement of teaching were studied. A review of the relevant literature and of needs assessment reports based on teacher concerns was conducted, and interviews with faculty members were held. Suggestions based on preliminary results are offered. It is suggested that…

Relationships between variables representing substantive, semantic, and strategy elements of teacher behavior during concept instruction and class residual gain scores on a test of concept learning were examined as twenty-two teachers instructed groups of fifteen third, fourth, and fifth grade pupils in two forty-five minute lessons on the social…

Underlying this essay on psycholinguistic theory is the belief that language teachers often suffer from neurotic symptoms of confusion, anxiety, and uncertainty in connection with their work. The author discusses his "BALT" theory (battered language teachers). Philosophically-oriented remarks are directed toward teachers wishing to redirect their…

This collection of papers includes the following: "Style Wars: Teacher-Student Style Conflicts in the Language Classroom" (Rebecca L. Oxford, Madeline E. Ehrman, and Roberta Z. Lavine); "Articulating Learning in High School and College Programs: Holistic Theory in the Foreign Language Curriculum" (Janet Swaffar);…

Discusses the gap between teaching theory and practice in the context of teacher education reform. Argues that radical reforms without an understanding of current issues and problems are a mistake. Concludes that a teaching competency model that situates teaching in its social context would be more appropriate. (CFR)

Explores some widely held assumptions concerning the role of child development knowledge in teaching young children. Issues explored include What does the term "development" mean? What child development knowledge should be learned? Can we agree on a body of child development knowledge and principles? Why has the role of child development knowledge…

Examines issues pertaining to the development of a formal knowledge base to guide the thinking and practice of early childhood teachers. Discusses the authors' views on formal knowledge, practice and reflection, and the process of teacher education, and how these views are operationalized in the master's level program at Erikson Institute in…

An exploration of student participation in the second language classroom looks at teacher expectations for classroom participation and examines factors constraining interaction, based on personal experiences with learning and teaching a second language. First, common definitions of student participation are examined, and personal styles of student…

This resource guide is intended for teachers of German and for administrators considering the introduction German language instruction in their schools or colleges in the United Kingdom. The first of 10 chapters looks at the status of German teaching in the British curriculum, primarily at the secondary level. Chapter 2 describes standardized test…

Profiled in this report are three Oregon first-grade teachers--the state's 1984 Teacher of the Year and two other finalists for that title. Distinguishing characteristics of the teaching approach of Jonelle Maurer of the Lincoln Elementary School in Grants Pass include phonics and group reading instruction, the use of activity centers, and a…

In contrast to the recent back-to-basics movement, which emphasizes rote-learning and the acquisition of mechanistic skills, small-group cooperative learning emphasizes the development of thinking and problem-solving skills. It also seeks to minimize student anxiety and competition by creating an environment in which students feel safe to make and…

A study investigated high school students' expectations of the teaching styles of English, science, male, and female instructors. A sample of 164 high school students completed the Expectation of Teacher Affective Communication Questionnaire (ETACQ). The same three factors emerged in rating male and English instructors: open, friendly, and…

Direct interviews with 17 teachers and observation in 31 rural and urban Venezuelan classrooms (pre-school through grade 6 in nine schools) across 3 states revealed serious reading difficulties among Venezuelan students. Small rooms and multi-grade class situations were common and school supplies and equipment were scarce. Even more scarce were…

The Teaching-Learning Interaction Study tested the separate and interactive effects of teacher and student entry characteristics on their subsequent classroom behavior, and the effect of that behavior on students' regressed gain, over a school year, in achievement, attitudes toward school, self-esteem, and coping skills. Fifty-three tri-ethnic…

The Middle School Study of Mainstreamed Students sought to establish a foundation for interdisciplinary research on middle school mainstreaming by merging teacher effectiveness and special education practices. The study examined teaching behaviors through macro (classroom) and micro (individual student) analyses of classroom interactions, to…