Examines which message-based behavior alteration techniques (BATs) teacher evaluators perceive as commonly used by good, average, and poor teachers. Reports that principals equate reward-type messages with effective teaching and punishment-type messages with ineffective teaching. (MM)

Reciprocal interactions between teachers and two groups of preschoolers (four autistic, four mildly developmentally delayed) were observed and recorded. Teachers or aides ignored most negative initiations. Although most neutral interactions (e.g., question-answer) were reciprocal, students (especially the autistic group) did not respond…

Identifies verbal teacher immediacy behaviors which relate to increased learning, finding that the impact of both verbal and non-verbal behaviors on learners is enhanced as class size increases. Provides empirical definition of a specific set of low-inference verbal variables which, combined with previously identified nonverbal variables, clarify…

Formative evaluation of teaching is discussed, and ways of obtaining diagnostic feedback that will lead to improved teaching in large lecture classes are examined. A Teacher Behaviors Inventory is included. (MLW)

A professor of educational psychology describes the goals of research in progress on the personal characteristics of expert teachers, compares classroom management techniques of expert teachers with those of beginning and student teachers, and criticizes existing teacher evaluation systems for their lack of uniform standards and experienced…

Describes a four-year Follow-Through Research Project that investigates the effects of a comprehensive staff development program, based on Madeline Hunter's Instructional Theory into Practice Model, designed to improve instruction on student engaged rates and achievement in reading and mathematics. (Author/HOD)

Advocates using classic lectures in chemistry as guidelines for good teaching. Uses quotes from an 1848 book of lectures by John Scoffern to illustrate teaching principles relating to teacher enthusiasm, relevant materials, simple demonstrations, good laboratory experiences, nomenclature, and practical applications. (TW)

A field study was conducted to investigate classroom management from the perspective of high school students. Findings suggested that students use six strategies to achieve two major goals during classroom events and that the combination of strategies used by students is based on different context features of each classroom. (Author/BS)

Students acquire information about their abilities by observing the differential treatment accorded high and low achievers. They then revise their own achievement expectations and perform according to the expectations perceived. This article reports the findings of two studies of elementary school reading classes that tested hypotheses derived…

Principals can influence teachers and instructional behavior by working through linkage mechanisms within the organizational structure of the school. Two types of linkages are identified: bureaucratic and cultural. Principals have access to linkages of both kinds; using linkages effectively, they can generate a common purpose in their schools. (MD)

Evaluated the effects of an inservice education program on 47 elementary teachers in three Kansas school districts. Information pertaining to several research questions was collected by assessing demographic factors, teachers' knowledge of reading instruction, teachers' attitudes toward reading-related issues, teacher implementation of specific…

Describes a study of classroom interaction conducted between 1980 and 1984. Findings include male students are given more attention in classrooms, educators are unaware of the impact of this bias, brief training can eliminate sex bias from the classroom, and increasing equity in the classroom increases teacher effectiveness. Includes 10…

The sex-differentiated socialization emphases of parents and other representatives of societal institutions are considered as they influence personality development and behavioral orientations. Such emphases, shaping behaviors, and teaching styles are evaluated with regard to the nature of "meta-messages" conveyed to children. (Author/RH)

Offers annotated citations for several recent ERIC documents concerning how children think and learn and how those involved with them can assist in the development of these processes. (RH)

Examined relationships between teaching behaviors and student engagement in 13 middle school science classes. Results indicated that seven managerial variables and four instructional variables were significantly related to student engagement rates. Types of tasks allocated by teachers were also significantly related to types of tasks undertaken by…