Data from a major study of secondary classroom dynamics (120 high schools, 893 classrooms) compare comprehensive, area vocational, and vocational specialty schools on seven characteristics: numbers and types of program offerings, teacher experience and training, business-industry linkages, currency of facilities, counseling services, increased…

As teacher, musician, and performing artist, John Stokes has traveled widely in his efforts to promote awareness of the natural world and the integrity of indigenous peoples. In this interview, Stokes discusses life experiences that led him to establish the Tracking Project, a program that has taught traditional tracking and survival skills to…

A teacher describes his experiences during an outdoor expedition with urban students from the Free School in Albany, New York. Time spent at the school's camp is intended to narrow the gap between experience and learning, promote principles of "self-regulation" and "work democracy" encouraging students to manage their own behavior and make…

An outdoor educator reflects on the changing nature of outdoor education, including a lack of interest and excitement among children regarding the outdoors, the inability of children to sustain physical activity, government's failure to assess children's educational needs, poor government support for outdoor programs, and the effect of inferior…

Examines the nature of the relationship between student teachers and associate teachers through a collaborative research project. The study utilized interviews, observations, and journal entries to determine positive and negative aspects. Benefits included new ideas, energetic presentations, and relief time for the teacher. Drawbacks included…

Describes, from one teacher's experiences, the difficulties of teaching Shakespeare in a Chelsea (Massachusetts) high school and how these problems were eventually overcome. The narrative presents students' reactions. (GR)

The author reflects on his experience as an Outward Bound instructor at a large high school in New York City, where he collaborated with an English teacher in developing a curriculum that balanced academic with experiential learning. Describes a five-week unit in which a rock climbing experience was integrated with traditional English teaching…

A teacher reflects on what he learned from his students and educator Earl Kelley's writings, when 30 years ago as a beginning teacher, he attempted a democratic approach to teaching junior high school science and math. This approach encouraged student collaboration in the planning of learning activities, community projects, and student assessment.…

A beginning teacher appointed to a remote Aboriginal school in the Northern Territory (Australia) describes experiences that led him to question his worth as a teacher, including social and professional isolation, his idealistic expectations of becoming a teacher, and difficulties in teaching students of various ages and academic levels. (LP)

Analyzes the influence of industrial metaphors in education and teacher education, arguing that education renewal requires new metaphors that represent teacher-student relationships differently from those associated with discipline and management. An approach to preservice education that analyzes teaching metaphors to explore beginning teacher…

Analysis of current Australian educational policy and practice and interviews with 24 teachers newly appointed to small rural schools in Australia indicates a need for specialized training for rural teachers and the development of specific rural staffing policies and selection practices. (LP)

Study compared classroom performance of novice, advanced beginner, and expert teachers, examining subject matter knowledge and delivery, educational connoisseurship, nonverbal behavior, and systematic observation. Results indicate teachers without pedagogical training are less able to keep students on task, provide appropriate feedback, deliver…

Examines teachers' roles as mediators of knowledge and cognitive learning in the classroom. Cites research findings concerning teacher effectiveness, expertise, and curriculum knowledge. Urges user-friendly, explicit methods of classroom teaching as opposed to child-centered learning without mediation by the teacher. Suggests that teacher…

Sixteen expert, beginning, and novice teachers, who simultaneously viewed three videotapes showing junior high school science work groups, expressed their thoughts and answered questions about classroom management and instruction. Differences among the groups in terms of perceptions, monitoring, and understanding of classroom events illustrate the…

Analyzes policy implications of compensation and working conditions of teachers in three publicly funded early childhood systems: public school prekindergarten and kindergarten, publicly funded child care, and Head Start. Unacceptable levels of teacher turnover and vacancy in nonpublic school programs resulted from differences in compensation and…