This document describes approaches in conducting naturalistic studies in two different countries with contrasting educational settings. Naturalistic research methodology is described by one of the writers as "an explicit undertaking to lay aside our ideas and concern ourselves with finding the subjects' perspectives in their non-theoretical…

As part of a longitudinal study of the acquisition of reading skills, a study tested kindergarten children at the beginning and end of their kindergarten year. The children were also observed for nine full days in their classrooms. Subjects were approximately 650 children in two cohorts. Data were collected in three school districts in Illinois,…

This book provides a catalog of observer systems that can be used to analyze interactive and environmental events that occur in physical education and athletic settings. These systems maximize opportunities for collecting data from many perspectives using different techniques for data sources to explain or modify instructional phenomena. The…

This introduction to, and comment upon, a symposium on communicative competence argues that the appropriate unit of analysis in language development is communicative competence and proposes that the development of communicative competence can be studied usefully through observing children's communication during role play. Communicative competence…

The relationship between empathic role-taking abilities and empathic behaviors observed in both naturalistic and experimental settings was examined in 14 children between the ages of 53 and 65 months. Children were observed at the McGill Daycare Centre twice a week for 8 weeks, totalling approximately 30 hours. Event sampling was used to record…

This report presents outcome data on five referrals for child-family intervention in which a new system for obtaining audio-recorded behavioral data was employed as one of several evaluation criteria. The referred child was asked to wear a radio transmitter during most of his waking hours at home during pre-intervention and termination…

This document briefly describes Phase I of the Preschool Project. The research from 1969-72, Phase II, focuses on how the experiences and environments of highly competent and less competent children differ in early childhood. It is theorized that intellectual development is a function of a child's interaction with his human and physical…

Describes a preliminary investigation of the way an educational television program in London, "Look and Read," was used and evaluated by primary school students and teachers. Highlights include student and teacher interviews to determine attitudes; a comparison of two primary schools; learning strategies emphasized in the program; and…

Naturalistic observation techniques were used with 24 9- to 12-year-old learning disabled students to investigate two sets of variables that might influence achievement differences between computer-assisted instruction and seatwork: engagement rate and interactions with teachers and peers. Implications for research and microcomputer implementation…

This study investigated the relationship between peer relations and help-seeking behaviors in third- and fifth-grade boys and girls. The relationship between peer status and academic help-seeking was found to vary with the target of the help-seeking overture and the type of help requested. (Author/LMO)

Six methods for assessing children's social skills are described and evaluated. They are sociometrics, ratings by others, naturalistic observations, behavioral role plays, behavioral interviews, and self-report measures. Issues of definition, classification, and social validity are examined to provide a context for understanding problems and…

This curriculum guide was developed for use with public television's Nature series. The materials in the guide are designed to help students actively participate in the study and experience of nature. Students are encouraged to view the programs as naturalists would in order to gain a better understanding of animals, their habits and habitats, and…

This study examined the use of the Pathwise Performance Assessment as a framework for helping prospective mentors to view entry-year teachers' performance in accord with the research on novice teachers' performance. Participants were teachers, principals, and a central office administrator, most of whom had never conducted an observation of…

Recounts a series of teaching exercises designed to develop a critical awareness of attitudes toward gays and lesbians. The first set consists of short, active-listening exercises between students. The second involves observation and comparison of public displays of affection between heterosexual couples and gay couples. (MJP)

Describes a project involving students in hands-on scientific experiment to locate and identify areas of water pollution, based on Delta Laboratories Adopt-A-Stream Program. Describes getting started, working cooperatively, community support, recording and using data. Includes data sheet, checklist, and photographs of students at study site. (TES)