This investigation determined quantitatively the effects of open and traditional classroom techniques on teacher and student interaction and social environment. (RC)

The concept of school discipline, based on controlling inevitable student misbehavior, has been replaced with "classroom management," which stresses methods of facilitating positive student behavior and achievement. This book attempts to provide teachers, counselors, administrators, and special educators with a comprehensive, practical description…

The concept of language proficiency and the process of language skill development are discussed, and classroom activities that build proficiency in the four language skill areas (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are described. General considerations in using the activities are noted. Skill development activities for all skill areas have…

A study explored the general patterns of discourse during discussions of literature in secondary classrooms, and investigated teachers' and students' perceptions of the purposes that guide those discussions. Six teacher-researchers each studied one teacher as that teacher taught an instructional unit on a literary text, videotaping class sessions,…

A study investigated the types of in-class, speaking-oriented activities that second language learners find anxiety-producing and the types of instructor practices that students perceive as anxiety-reducing. A 4-page questionnaire was administered to 135 university-level students of intensive Spanish and 109 high school students in first- and…

This series of one- to two-page abstracts highlights a variety of innovative approaches to teaching and learning in the community college. Topics covered in the abstracts include: (1) cooperative planning for institutional excellence; (2) rewarding scholarship among community college faculty; (3) in-class debates as a learning strategy; (4)…

The large section approach to speech communication instruction can be viewed as an opportunity rather than a detriment to effective communication education. Instructional strategies should be considered and applied appropriately to this ever-increasing instructional format. A number of principles may be generated which will lead to effectiveness…

This paper describes a communication course curriculum for students majoring in elementary education which has been used at Wright State University for 4 years. The paper presents an overview of the topics discussed in the course (topics chosen for their relevance and importance to successful classroom communication): (1) process of human…

A 6-week study on the status of classroom discourse was carried out at St. Norbert College (Wisconsin). Ten tenure-track professors kept notes or journals on their classroom discourse activities for 6 weeks and wrote a scholarly essay on the experience at its conclusion. During the period, they also tried to improve discourse quality in their…

This paper examines the nature of student engagement in the instructional activities of eighth- and ninth-grade English classes and draws general conclusions applicable to instruction at all levels. It focuses on the teacher's pivotal role, showing that certain discourse practices elicit substantive (rather than procedural) student engagement,…

This study examined eight research questions designed to measure students' perceptions of conflict management in the classroom (grades three through eight). In addition to assessing students' satisfaction with the particular conflict management strategies, student self-concept was also measured to determine if the level of self-concept had any…

A study examined developmental differences in students' recognition of the types of explanations that help most in mathematics peer-group interactions. Scripted interactions of eight male and eight female dyads working on math problems were videotaped. In each interaction one actor in the dyad would request non-specific assistance and the other…

Based on the idea that inference abilities are essential to comprehension, this essay discusses systematic oral questioning strategies designed to help both junior and senior high school teachers develop students' reading comprehension abilities. Questioning strategies are examined in terms of their purpose, efficiency, motivation, and required…

Classroom language has not yet been recognized as an important aspect of foreign language learning and teaching, but it can make a meaningful contribution to language instruction. Providing for teacher training in this field not only implies provision of information and practice, but also involves changing teacher attitudes about the…