Analyzed the differences between heroes, other characters, and themes from the Roy Rogers television show of the 1950s, and the Brave Starr show of the 1980s. Found the modern hero more prosocial, cooperative, fearful, and self-critical. The modern villain was more hostile, negative, and successful against the hero. Discusses implications for…

Provides instructional techniques, using samples from evergreen trees, to explain to school children the concept of adaptation. The techniques help children develop skills in observation, classification, communication, inferring, and predicting. A teacher's reproducible is included. (GLR)

Offers a nonparticipant observation exercise that allows students to engage in research quickly, while keeping in mind constraints created by one-semester introductory courses. Discusses the selection of observation sites and topics, ethics and policies of human-subject research, procedures for taking notes, classroom discussion of student…

A study involving six children (ages 5-13) with mental retardation found that overall passive modeling was significantly more effective than hand-over-hand modeling in teaching skills, and that passive modeling was significantly more effective than hand-over-hand modeling with response-contingent verbal prompting. (Author/CR)

Explains that in Maria Montessori's California presentations during 1915, she specified the difference between "her" teacher who observed, guided and learned from children and the "regular" teacher who taught what adults thought children should know. Conveys that Montessori advocated teachers be humble, patient, and learn to…

The author's favorite way to start the new school year is to perform a science demo for students. At the beginning of the period, he discusses the importance of making accurate observations. He tells them that he will perform a short demonstration that they are to carefully watch and then record their observations. They each have a sheet of paper…

Systematic observation is a foundational skill teachers use in order to document children's reading development and plan developmentally appropriate instruction. However, a variety of challenges make it difficult for teacher educators to help preservice teachers develop systematic observation skills. The purpose of this study is to tell two…

This study investigated whether providing preservice teachers with opportunities to discuss common observations would have an impact on their observations and reflections. Twelve preservice secondary mathematics teachers in the early stages of their teacher education program were divided into 3 treatment groups based on their orientation towards…

This pilot study explored the characteristics of children's co-inquiry with a mentor and the changes occurring in their questioning with prolonged engagement in mediated inquiry. Six graduate students, who were practicing teachers, acted as mentors to individual students for inquiry into child-selected topics for 10 weeks. Children ranged in age…

A study of a junior-level grammar class for preservice teachers was conducted by an observer at Miami University of Ohio to determine the effectiveness of a Socratic teaching style that allowed the teacher to do most of the talking. Students in the class also participated in the observation; they were interviewed regularly by the graduate student.…

One prediction derived from observational learning theory is that children learn parental-role behaviors by observing parental models. Variables which strongly influence behavior acquisition and performance during observational learning are the behavioral consequences of an action, and the sex of the behavioral model. To evaluate the effects of…

Examines the effect of three different modes of task orientation on observational attainment in practical chemistry. Results include the overall performance on the chemistry observation test and an analysis of the influence of the complexity of observational tasks on observational attainment. (Author/GS)

The author discusses the therapeutic mechanisms in group therapy. After considering the views of three authors, the following four mechanisms seem to be accepted generally: ventilation, acceptance, spectator therapy and intellectualization. (SE)

This program was designed to examine the effectiveness of modeling in changing maternal behaviors. Results indicate that modeling can rapidly increase the mother's performance of information processing acts. (Author)