This paper discusses the limitations and potentials for dialogue in religious education (RE) classes on the basis of observations of Estonian RE lessons. I investigated how the way of asking questions contributes to the dialogue in the classroom. Additionally I investigated how students' readiness to engage in dialogue is influenced by others'…

Dynamic new ventures like the Knowledge is Power Program, Teach For America, and New Leaders for New Schools, are increasingly being asked to step in to assist struggling school districts. While promising, these ventures have thus far typically been characterized by "one-off" examples of success that are extraordinarily reliant on talent and…

The reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 emphasized the use of positive behavioral interventions, supports, and services for students with disabilities who display challenging behaviors. Unfortunately, most teachers and schools still lack systems for identification, adoption, and sustained use of these…

This study focused on a population of 36 female patients, aged 25 to 65, who were diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, all of whom had long-standing patterns of inappropriate behaviors. In an attempt to increase more appropriate behaviors in these patients, a set of standardized contingency rules were established. These rules were implemented…

Research on the use of approvals/disapprovals in classroom teaching has highlighted praise as more effective than criticism, specific evaluation more valuable than general, and gender differences. This study investigated the use of positive/negative and specific/general evaluation and gender effects in instrumental music lessons in higher…

Research into genetic, psychosocial, and cognitive explanations for depression (biopsychosocial models) provides support for the role of these variables in the etiology of depression. Regularly identified as basic to depression is loss, and the experience of loss has been found to be more influential than genetic factors in the causation of…

Even the most uneventful days at home can be challenging for families who have a child with an autism spectrum disorder or another developmental disability. This article provides strategies to help children with special needs enjoy successful community outings. Teaching a child the necessary skills to navigate new and challenging situations…

The effects of verbal feedback and verbal feedback plus praise on staff training behaviors were assessed through a multiple baseline design in an adult residential area for mentally retarded individuals. Initial results of this study show both procedures to be effective in improving staff training skills. (Author/CL)

Praising desirable behavior and ignoring undersirable action are two ways to shape a child's behavior in a given direction. (CK)

As trainers, our role is to stimulate learning; thus, we should never forget the adverse effect of punishment or negative motivation." (EB)

Subjects were six normal infants whose kicks were or were not reinforced. Examines how the temporal structure of kicking changed when infants learned a mobile task. Quantifies amplitude changes in spontaneous kicks versus those used operantly, and investigates whether reinforcement makes kicking more "efficient" through reducing…

Presents an informal, constructive approach to student behavior problems based on positively stated rules, responsible decision making, and clearly outlined consequences for breaking rules. (WD)

Resurgence may be defined generally as the extinction-induced recurrence of previously learned response patterns. Understanding the conditions under which this phenomenon occurs has theoretical, clinical, and applied implications, particularly with respect to a related area of research on response-class hierarchies. In the current study, we…