One aspect of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development was tested in this research project. It was hypothesized that an adult individual in the concrete stage of development is able to use seriation and classification in dealing with concrete objects, but is unable to think in terms of possibilities. An individual operating on the formal…

In order to assess the nature of conversations that students in an introductory film-appreciation class had after the showing of various films, this study used questionnaires to determine with whom students talked, the number of the conversations, their duration and subjects. It was found that both the content and the duration of discussions…

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which preschoolers have acquired some of the rules governing politeness when they interrupt conversations. (An interruption was defined as an utterance by a child to two or more people who were already engaged in conversation, and where the topic of the child utterance was unrelated to the…

In recognition of the importance of communication skills to all students, a communication skills program is being developed and implemented in the Lincoln, Nebraska, public school system. Since teaching itself is communication, an important goal of the program is to improve and enhance the communication effectiveness of teachers as well as…

Noting that educators are surrounded by a vast array of communication processes that involve many avenues of expression, this booklet argues that nonverbal communication is an often ignored, but powerful, aid that can be used to enhance the learning environment. Following an introduction to the subject of nonverbal communication, the booklet…

Four inquiries were conducted to provide some initial feedback on the operation of the Directed Activities Related to Text Project. Three were concerned with aspects of process and examined such problems as the ways in which the actual course of a text-based lesson reflects the objectives of the project, and how such a lesson can be shown to…

This series, designed for use in inservice teacher workshops, addresses the question, "How do children and teachers use language to get things done?" The transcribed classroom discourse presented and discussed in each volume illustrates functional language in a real context based on the videotaping of undoctored classroom events from…

For praise to have a positive effect on a child's achievement, teachers must be aware of some important research findings. Varying results of early studies on the benefits of praise still indicate one generalization: either praise or criticism is more effective in reinforcing student achievement than is ignoring achievement. Research in the past…

A study tested a method for teaching preservice teachers enrolled in a basic speech course how to lead classroom discussions. In addition, the study examined the effects of communication apprehension and size of audience on students' satisfaction with the assignment. The students were administered a measure of communication apprehension and…

This book is a compilation of cultural information and Spanish-English phrases and sentences that will be useful to English-speaking teachers and administrators in a bilingual setting. The guide presents information on differences between Anglo and Latin cultures, Spanish words and phrases that are useful in a variety of settings, and sample…

Despite the fact that group work in speech communication classes is assigned to aid students in learning to work productively in groups, there are many people who avoid it and who express a sincere dislike for any group activity in the academic setting. This negative initial reaction toward group work was studied in order to compile a taxonomy of…

These case studies of nine elementary school teachers explore possible relationships between teacher mood and supportive instructional behavior. Each case study is presented in three sections. Section One examines the context of the classroom being observed. Included are descriptions of the schools and their environs, characteristics of the…

A WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL FRENCH CLASS AND A GROUP OF STUDENTS IN AN ENGLISH CALSS AT THE LYCEE HENRI IV OF PARIS, FRANCE, PARTICIPATED IN A COMBINED CLASS SESSION IN THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL TV CLASSROOM EXCHANGE. THE TV SIGNALS WERE EXCHANGED BY MEANS OF THE EARLY BIRD SATELLITE AND PERMITTED THE STUDENTS TO EXCHANGE MESSAGES. DURING THE TELECAST…

The Feedback to Oral Reading Miscue Analysis System (FORMAS) is a low-inference coding system developed to characterize verbal interaction between teacher and students during oral reading instruction. The six lessons presented in this manual are designed to teach the use of FORMAS in approximately ten hours. Each of the lessons deals with one of…

This pamphlet is the fifth in a series of ten stemming from the view that language is central to learning, that teachers can gain insights into their work and into learning by examining the language of the classroom, and that current language theory can be the means to such insights. The pamphlet reports on a case study involving a twelfth grade…