Interviews with 42 of Iowa's 44 shared superintendents examined school district motives for sharing superintendents, the need to redefine the superintendent's role, superintendents' personal motivations, sources of frustration, community relations, and factors leading to success or failure of the sharing agreement. Contains 20 references. (SV)

Explores the collection and use of library and information science (LIS) monographs by academic librarians. The use of individual and focus group interviews to identify issues affecting the use and nonuse of LIS monographs is described, and the influence of promotion and tenure requirements on LIS publications is considered. (32 references) (LRW)

Describes the results of a needs analysis conducted to determine the requirements of teachers who wish to restructure their classrooms. The development of Strategic Teaching Frameworks, a hypermedia system to aid teachers and administrators in adopting new approaches to teaching, is explained; and tools and resources needed for change are…

Kindergarten students' (n=7) thought processes were investigated during a problem-solving task to gain insight into students' problem-solving strategies and to guide students toward a closer awareness of their own mathematical thinking. Outlines some of the processes and problems of implementing a constructivist approach by an experienced teacher.…

Kindergarten (n=30) and grade 1 (n=15) students of contrasting socioeconomic backgrounds were interviewed to assess their knowledge of number word sequences and spatial patterns and their ability to recognize numerals and use counting to establish numerosity of visible and screened collections. Findings indicate greater variation in abilities…

Interviews were conducted with grade 10 students (n=34) who had received 4 years of physics instruction. Interview's focus was to understand students' responses from their point of view. The results of the study confirm and deepen findings from other studies concerning students' severe difficulties in learning the energy concept, the particle…

A study investigated the effectiveness of exit interviews as tools for reducing or predicting student loan delinquencies and found a relationship between repayment and completion of the exit interview. Interview completion was related to academic level and race. Type of exit interview (personal or mail) was not related to repayment delinquency.…

Twenty-four sixth-grade children participated in clinical interviews on ratio and proportion before receiving instruction in the domain. Student thinking was analyzed in terms of mathematical components critical to proportional reasoning. Two components, relative thinking and unitizing, were consistently related to higher levels of sophistication…

Teachers need focused staff development to improve content knowledge and pedagogy for specific subject areas. An interview with Lee Shulman, professor of education, discusses advantages of content-specific development, noting the important role of case studies and the changes necessary for helping teachers become lifelong students of content and…

Describes a study conducted at the Dutch Open University to determine students' actual use of embedded support devices (ESD). Topics addressed include a theoretical background; research hypotheses; the use of student interviews; quantitative and qualitative aspects of ESD use; student characteristics; study success (i.e., final examination…

Describes the social construction of parental expectations for kindergarten and first grade in a school community. Focuses on the ideas developed between home and school and between grade levels. Connections are made between these local ideas and the expectations of children as they begin their school careers. (Author)

Advocates conducting oral history projects as part of elementary school social studies programs. Outlines key steps for incorporating oral history projects including determine a focus; identify local residents to interview; practice interviewing techniques; exchange information; and create booklets. Lists research resources. Stresses the…

Investigates how 20 English primary teachers understand the concepts of force and gravity. Uses the interview about instances technique. Finds teachers' views of these concepts are not in accord with accepted scientific interpretations but similar to those of children's views. Discusses implications of the findings. (NL)

Interviews 46 British children, ages 8 to 11, to test their understanding of showing off. Confirms prediction that younger childrens' understanding of motivation for showing off is based on psychological determinants and that 11-year-olds' understanding focuses on interpersonal determinants. Also discusses children's understanding of emotional…

Describes a course designed to improve interpersonal skills for students in instructional development that was developed at Syracuse University. Highlights include course goals; class requirements, including student journals; course content and structure, including activities to develop skills in verbal and nonverbal communication and…