Examined adolescents' perceptions of variables at three levels of the family system in relation to four dimensions of adolescent empathy. Results show that gender, family cohesion, parental support, self-esteem, and communicative responsiveness were related to empathic concern. Personal distress, perspective taking, and fantasy were also…

Examines how student perceptions of instructor argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness are associated with their perceptions of the classroom climate, their reported levels of classroom apprehension, and their reported levels of state motivation. Finds that perceived instructor argumentativeness was not related to perceived classroom climate…

The relevance of verbal reports of thinking for validating multiple-choice critical thinking tests was examined. Results from 342 senior high school students in Newfoundland (Canada) indicate that verbal reports can meet a necessary condition of validation data and collecting data does not alter thinking and performance. (SLD)

Compares readers' and listeners' perceptions of powerless language features. Examines whether oral versions of powerless messages generate higher credibility ratings than written versions. Finds that subjects note more hesitations in writing but more hedges on tape, and that placing powerless speech in the written transcript reduces…

Gifted students may exhibit a deficit in ability to follow a sequence of verbal instructions, termed Cognition of SeMantic Systems (CMS). Three types of low-CMS students are described, and counseling strategies are outlined. Achievement of academic success and emotional health calls for teachers to build students' self-esteem and be patient. (JDD)

Discusses aspects of using anecdotes in the classroom including vividness, the downside, high inferential risks, and low inferential risks. Reviews research underpinnings. (MVL)

Evaluated the effects of cooperative learning on students' (n=36) verbal interaction patterns and achievement in a conceptual change instructional model in secondary science. It was found that students using cooperative-learning strategies showed greater achievement gains and made greater use of specific verbal patterns believed to be related to…

Five teachers serving 26 children (ages 3-15) with developmental disabilities received training on creating opportunities for requesting (missing item, interrupted chain, delayed assistance). The strategy was effective in helping teachers increase the number of functional communication requesting opportunities and the number of correct student…

Describes a study that was conducted to determine how temporal sound affected students' attention to critical information from a computer interface. Design issues are addressed, including modality, verbal information, constructivism, authoring software, expressiveness, and gender; and results are discussed that indicate temporal sound may help…

Forty college students of second-year French were used to study the extent to which individual learners exercise initiative in structuring classroom talk. Textual outcomes of four typical tasks for pairs were examined. Interactions were coded in four areas (topic, self-selection, allocation, and sequencing); results showed variation in the extent…

Examines the use of persuasive responses by Hispanic second-language writers and categorizes these responses by level of language proficiency and gender. Findings indicate that students exit English-as-a-Second-Language classes without having achieved a higher level of expertise in the use of persuasive discourse and that females elaborate more…

Ways are presented that German composers and painters can be introduced to second-year language students through interactive oral presentations using cassettes, reproductions of art works, and slides. (Author/LB)

Discussed is the importance of engineering students having effective communication skills so they will be able to discuss their work, present their findings, and propose a course of action. Suggestions for organizing and delivering presentations are included. (KR)

Describes the California Assessment Program's (CAP) group performance assessment task. Provides a sample task field test in world history, including written and culminating exercises. Suggests that such assessment exercises are popular with students and provide the teacher with an amalgam of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. (DK)

Information on the type of language use and skills emphasized in the existing Thai English-for-Special-Purposes materials for computer sciences was gathered. Structured interviews with 25 subjects in 22 firms indicated that speaking skills were of great importance, followed by reading and writing skills. Pedagogical implications are discussed, and…