The teacher, a participant observer in the total communication environment of the classroom, can, through systematic observation of that communication, attempt a change in behaviors which will result in an improved teaching-learning environment. One systematic way of looking at classroom communication involves the distinction between the nature of…

A two-part experiment was conducted to determine if consistent, predictable differences exist in teacher encoding ability (composed of the ability to formulate messages containing the essential information, to anticipate information needs of the listener, and to modify or recode the message from listener feedback). Twenty-eight teacher-encoders…

The effectiveness of individually prescribed microteaching training modules in the acquisition of selected teaching behaviors is being studied in two different contexts: during the preinternship year in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program, Johns Hopkins University, and during student teaching in Teacher Education Centers, University of…

Arguments supporting the present system of tenure for college educators are forwarded. (MM)

Results of a questionnaire completed by 116 elementary secondary school teachers show that three teacher demographic factors (attendance at inservice training covering special education topics, ethnic background, and age), in addition to two classroom background factors (number of mainstreamed students and student age), increased the number of…

The author reviews the background and development of the PAC (Parallel Alternate Curriculum) Program, designed to improve the learning of all students (including learning disabled students) by helping teachers maintain them in the mainstream classroom. Adminstrative support is cited as a key element in the program's success. (CL)

Ninety-nine graduate students provided written feedback to completed arithmetic, spelling, and written expression assignments. Teachers offered a greater proportion of corrective strategies on the more difficult arithmetic assignment. An analysis of feedback strategies across tasks showed two prominent strategies, one corrective and one…

A microethnographic approach analyzed the nature of teacher interactions with a group of five learning disabled intermediate students in a mainstreamed setting. Analysis of audio and videotapes and classroom observations revealed that students received little direct instruction, despite findings from teacher interviews that students were receiving…

A Questioning Analysis Scheme is presented to assist educators in determining not only the kinds of questions being posed in specific settings but also the cluster of teacher and student activity which follows the questioning, as well as the instructional payoffs as manifested through student responding. (Author)

Study findings reveal that educational administrators consistently have greater desires to initiate influence attempts on teachers than teachers are willing to accept. (LR)