Classroom observation assignments for preservice teachers allow them to observe detailed relationships among classroom space and teacher student interaction. Through structured observation, preservice teachers become aware of classroom interactions in a vivid and instructive manner. (CJ)

Describes the reaction of seven learning disabled and mildly emotionally disturbed children to reading and discussion of fairy tales. Compared to a control group, the children exposed to fairy tales did show progress. No increase in negative reactions and behaviors was noted. Discusses limitations to the study. (JAC)

Discusses the unconscious process by which humans learn to write through imitation and repetition, and describes the employment of these techniques in English composition instruction. Argues that teacher authority, based on his/her subject knowledge and ability to communicate, is also necessary to student motivation. (JP)

The effects of training using visual modeling prompts as preresponse and as error-correction prompting, and a combination of both procedures were examined by teaching vocational rehabilitation clients three assembly tasks. Preresponse prompting resulted in fewer total errors and more trials. The combination group demonstrated superior performance…

The value of involving children in experiencing environmental phenomena and observing living organisms is advocated. Suggestions are presented for offering a richer set of science experiences for children. (SA)

Notes that copying is a common technique for training perceptual motor skills such as handwriting; describes an experiment in which stimuli to be copied were presented dynamically or statically close to or distant from children seven and 10 years old and discusses the implications of the results for teaching handwriting. (Author)

This study of modeling behavior in Aboriginal and White Australian boys examines the ways that racial characteristics may intervene in cross-cultural research as factors contributing to performance on experimental and standardized psychological tests. (Author/EB)

Discusses how the nature of the rock and, particularly, its fossils can be used in ecology courses for schools and colleges to help students to deduce the nature of the environment at the time the rock was deposited. A checklist and ways of identifying geological sites and fossils are included. (HM)

Pueblo children observe adults involved in large sequences of activity that are meaningful and continuous; their loving and close relationship with elders is basic to their developing sense of identity. Indian teachers, recalling childhood, mention many situations where relatives' teaching was elaborately verbal as well as demonstrative;…

Examines the effect of learning style on the performance of college students (n=40) within two different hypertext structures. Results indicate both structures equally accommodated learners with preferences on experimentation and learners with preferences on observation; network structures accommodated learning styles better than hierarchical…

Three elementary students with mental retardation were taught math facts during small group instruction in a regular classroom, using unrelated instructional feedback (sight word vocabulary cards). Results found that all students learned their targeted stimuli, some of their unrelated stimuli, and some of their peers' target stimuli through…

Presented are examples of academic, social, daily living, and motor skills that might be targeted for observational instruction for students with handicaps. At each of three phases of development (acquisition level, fluency level, and generalization level), suggestions are offered on choosing what to teach and deciding how to teach. (JDD)

Presents a lesson plan that enables children to identify their community as a nodal region. Includes field trips, map tracing and comparison, discussion, and observation. Emphasizes children's analysis of the effect of rail transportation on their community. Suggests using the students' community as a geographic laboratory for hands-on experience.…

Three fifth grade students with learning disabilities were taught to recognize multisyllabic basal vocabulary words using constant time delay in a small-group instructional arrangement and were assessed on ability to recognize, spell, and define both their own target words and observational words. The procedure was effective in establishing…

The pleasures and advantages of informal learning are highlighted in a story about childhood visits to a fabric shop. Contrasts the unhurried, flexible, self-directed nature of informal learning situations with the more structured and controlled environment of the classroom. Discusses skills and lessons learned in informal settings and suggests…