The purpose of this study was to develop an observation system which would describe some of the important phenomena in groups that have the task of making a decision about a controversial issue involving value conflicts. The basic design to develop the observation system involved the analysis of transcriptions of group discussions of controversial…

A study to investigate the significance of teacher decisions concerning the social and physical dimensions of the Open Classroom was conducted. Preliminary observation reviewed teacher goals and decisions for the Open Classroom. This research is based upon Hall's theory of culture reflecting the communication model. There are five basic structural…

Thirty children, 7.5 to 8.5 years, in two classrooms in a Catholic school trying to implement an informal curriculum were studied. The classrooms were not "exemplary"; The children had lower-middle-class origins. Each child was observed under free-choice conditions for approximately 80-90 minutes over a 3-month period. Two-minute narrative records…

This study examines the relationship between observed behaviors and attitudes of black fathers and the association of these paternal measures with the self-identity of their preschool children. Twenty-one working and middle class suburban black families were studied. Four black male interviewers were trained to collect the parent-child interaction…

This paper reviews the literature pertaining to the measurement of attitudes toward reading, and recommends a workable approach for the elementary grades based on available instrumentation. The preliminary section summarizes the findings of studies relating to the theoretical framework of the psychology of reading. Reading research findings…

The ecobehavioral approach to assessment of instructional outcomes is based on observational methods and behavioral research design. A practical observational system for use in examining the percentage of time in which a student uses various tasks and materials during a specific instructional activity is described and illustrated in detail.…

Describes several facets of small-group instruction including teacher, group, and individual behaviors and use of time. Observational data were supplemented by teacher interviews concerning student groupings. Grouping practice appeared to result from decisions teachers made primarily on the basis of three factors: the teacher, the students, and…

Designed to evaluate the use of microcomputer-based labware (MBL) in junior high school science, the Computer as Lab Partner Project examined classroom experience of using MBL; system features used and curriculum designed; classroom procedures, processes, and interactions; gains and benefits of MBL use; and potential difficulties in MBL…

Analysis of feedback provided by 40 teachers in self-contained special education classes serving learning disabled, emotionally handicapped, or educable mentally retarded students discerned no differences by type of handicap involved or in comparison to regular classroom teachers. Results raised questions concerning the appropriateness of…

Discusses emotional responses and adjustment problems of preschool children when relocating. Particularly addresses young child's perspective on moving, typical reactions to relocating, and parent and teacher strategies to ease transition to new environment. Such strategies include (1) maintaining empathy, (2) being flexible, (3) being observant…

Discusses teacher evaluation in Great Britain, abandoning some common assumptions about "correct" teaching methods and hierarchical and "outside" appraisal systems. Advocates peer evaluation, flexible criteria, faculty discussion, and staff development as a primary purpose. Describes an evaluation sheet to be used by observing…

Describes a study which examined how elementary school students learning Logo through structured and unstructured teaching methods compared in time on task, discipline, and organization factors, and whether techniques other than mastery measures can be used to differentiate Logo classes taught by structured and unstructured techniques. (MBR)

Classroom activities related to the mathematics achievement level of students in 36 fourth-grade mathematics classes were identified. Engagement in competitive mathematics activities, cooperative mathematics activities, social activities, and off-task behavior was consistently and differentially related to girls' versus boys' low-level and…

Describes a study of reading and writing instruction at the elementary level and explains how teachers learned new ways to support each other, how the teachers' role changed as they encouraged their students' diverse interests, and how the teacher/learner roles changed. (HOD)

Ten papers focus on applications in specific curriculum areas, modelling and simulation, and computer managed learning. Projects described include voice support for the visually handicapped, distance education, and industrial training, as well as teaching applied mathematics, several facets of engineering, zoology, and, with videodisc, observation…