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…

Many times, families, and in particular parents, do not discuss important issues of sex with their children. Children learn about sex-related topics from their friends, other family members, or media sources. In such instances, while children at least may be learning about sex, the accuracy of the sources from which they are obtaining information…

The article described a framework for analyzing the discourse of the classroom. It highlights the differences between traditional classroom discussions and discourse within learning communities.

This study replicated and extended Wanzer, Frymier, Wojtaszczyk, and Smith's (2006) preliminary typology of appropriate and inappropriate teacher humor and advanced three explanations for differences in interpretations of teacher humor. Students were more likely to view teacher humor as inappropriate when it was perceived as offensive and when it…

Classroom conversations designed to foster mutual understanding encourage students to listen in a way that is receptive, open, and self-eclipsing. Such an emphasis on tolerance makes these conversations vulnerable to relativism and cynicism. I argue that dialogical philosophical inquiry diminishes such threats, as it fosters mutual appreciation of…