This study of dimensions of variation in preschool teachers' classroom talk involved 10 white, middle-class, experienced teachers in developmental classes. Audio recordings and observations were made of 30 minutes of free play time, 5 minutes of transition time, and 25 minutes of group time. For 8 of the teachers, group time included 10 minutes of…

Language teachers have responded to the special pedagogical needs created by large language classes as they arise rather than addressing them comprehensively. This may result from both guilt about the relatively small size of even the large language classes, and fear that expression of concern might be mistaken for trying to find an excuse for…

The purpose of this study was to better understand teachers' perceptions of collaborative learning and to explicate how they use computer activities to promote cooperative learning experiences. Based on questionnaire responses and group meetings, the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment (OREA) identified seven New York City teachers of…

This paper describes a model program for training volunteers to lead parent education groups. Over a 3-year period, the program trained 30 volunteer parent group leaders who were members of the Junior League of Boston. Discussion provides background information on the program and detailed information on ways to build parent education leadership…

To bring educational research into focus with tested classroom practice, this booklet provides an introduction to small group discussion. The theory and research section discusses the importance of small group discussion, characteristics of small group discussions, group attraction based on Maslow's hierarchy of basic human needs, group decision…

Five models of independent learning are suitable for use in adult education programs. The common factor is a facilitator who works in some way with the student in the learning process. They display different characteristics, including the extent of independence in relation to content and/or process. Nondirective tutorial instruction and learning…

Process writing and Suzuki's Mother Tongue Method of music instruction are similar in many ways. Like Suzuki teachers, teachers of writing who use the process method are humanizing children in a technological age. Both Suzuki and leaders of the writing renaissance believe that every child can be a musician or a writer. Both methods tell learners…

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT: Have you ever had trouble getting children to write stories? One technique that works well is group writing. (1) Divide the class into groups of five or six. (2) Give each child in a group a mimeographed copy of a story starter--just a sentence or an opening paragraph. (3) Have the children read the…

Several techniques and strategies for teaching reading comprehension, which have already proved effective in first language reading instruction, may also be used when teaching English as second language. The techniques presented here address the following issues: (1) background knowledge; (2) textual analysis; (3) metacognition and strategy…

This synthesis offers a descriptive inventory of research studies of cooperative learning at the secondary level. While cooperative learning techniques vary, they all share an interest in finding an alternative to "frontal teaching"--the teacher instructing the whole class or individual seatwork by students. Cooperative methods allow…

An energy education program was implemented to deliver energy conservation information to older Oklahomans in Chocktaw and Pushmataha counties. Methods for building inexpensive, home-produced, easy-to-install equipment to significantly reduce heat loss in the winter and cooling loss in the summer were emphasized. Six paraprofessionals were trained…

An introductory political science course considering protest movements and alternatives for the redress of grievances requires student participation in groups through role-playing, discussion, and group presentations. The contemporary issues debated by the students are related by the instructor to traditional political science theory. (JH)

The program in the form of a mothers' group had three goals: (1) to increase parental knowledge of child development and methods of child rearing, (2) provide access to more social contacts and role models, and (3) provide a supportive atmosphere to explore their feelings about themselves as parents. (MW)

This bold experiment should serve as an inspiration to commuter colleges across the country. (Editor)

This paper describes two studies to determine the effectiveness of a technique for teaching graphemic bases in linguistic patterns and for teaching the combining of these graphemic bases with beginning sounds. Designed to complement the Hawaii English Program, the teaching procedure used both group instruction and peer interaction-it was brief,…