Argues that the British National Literacy Strategy (NLS) offers teachers contradictory pedagogical advice on interactive teaching. Uses case study evidence and observations of classroom interaction to show that, while teachers vary in sensitivity to dilemmas posed by NLS demands, their Literacy Hour discourse is quantitatively and qualitatively…

Similarities and differences among four examples of classroom and instructional management were studied. Effective management, though necessary, is not sufficient to bring about student achievement. Relationships exist among management and achievement variables, social and academic participation structures, instructional sequencing, and the…

Analyzes video recordings of classroom discourse in a cooperative learning program by using sociolinguistic methods to discover the actual content of a classroom dialog and how the participants infer the meaning of what is said. Concludes that, when children are left alone, they will involve themselves in the curriculum but frame it in perspective…

Examines the question of the distinctive nature of communication in Australia. Discusses nonverbal messages, gender concerns, historical influences on communication, the Australian accent, communication with indigenous persons, communication apprehension, and classroom communication. Argues that Australians' communication is relatively similar to…

Responds to J. Sprague's 1992 criticisms of the program of research known as Power in the Classroom. Argues that both the covering law and the critical approach to studying power in the classroom are useful because they provide scholars and teachers with answers to distinct research questions. Identifies ways in which both epistemologies are…

Responds to an article in the same issue. Discusses four levels of scrutiny of the language of a research program: vocabulary choices; transformation of terms with the research process; style, syntax, tone, and organization of research reports; and translation of findings into recommendations and policy. Advocates productive dialogue in the…

Discusses briefly five books that can help teachers learn about how conversation works and help their students gain language competence. (SR)

Data from 81 hard-of-hearing and 130 deaf teachers were used to compare the medical/pathological and the sociocultural models of deafness. Differences found between deaf and hard-of-hearing teachers support the sociocultural model of deafness and indicate that deaf and hard-of-hearing people need to be grouped and considered separately for…

Describes some observations of novice students during a data-logging activity and draws on recent relevant research. Discusses aspects of students' talk about real-time graphs and reports on their perceptions of using IT in science. Suggests that such talk may help develop students' appreciation of the meaning in their data and their skills in…

Describes and discusses a combinatorics exploration occurring in a recent course to help characterize the kind of learning communities to establish with students. (Author/MKR)

Discusses challenges faced in teaching a curriculum based on multicultural theory: the large volume of scholarship on diversity, student resistance to diversity issues, and professor attitudes toward diversity. Presents a technique for meeting these challenges based on modeling appropriate diversity-sensitive behaviors that involves the use of…

Discusses how maintaining a clear line of sight in computer labs helps students and teachers better see each other and affords better communication. Examples of line of sight considerations helps special needs students are offered. (GR)

The author presents her views on creating respect and dialogue in the Feminist Argument Class. She asserts that the instructor must "create the kind of atmosphere in which students can think honestly and openly about their position on an issue about which they care" (Lamb, "Beyond Argument" 18). When this atmosphere is created, students can be…

This article presents information on the history and role of Web-based tools and vignette use in education by providing a definition of a vignette and other Web-based collaboration tools. After providing background on the use of vignettes and case-based scenarios in teaching and learning, the author discusses how Web-based tools may be used to…

This article presents aspects of a research study into how a group of ten- and eleven-year-old students (in 5th Grade in Sydney, Australia) were apprenticed to view a literary text from critical reading positions. These ways of reading were an alternative to their more typical reader response interpretations of texts. The article contrasts…