To date, the assessment methodology in the area has moved in two directions: sociometric measures (peer nomination and peer rating scales), which have provided the major means of identifying the socially competent child; and direct observation, principally employed in the specification of socially competent behaviors. (Author/DLS)

Forms of cooperation and sharing between infants and their parents were recorded in a play setting. Eight children at each age (12 months, 18 months, and 24 months) were observed. (Author/SS)

Describes a supervisory technique (the "O Cycle") based on observing and critiquing teachers, and a way that a small group of principals can create its own in-service program to acquire the skills required to use the technique. (IRT)

The ways in which process consultation is used to provide technical assistance to schools are discussed. (JD)

The Frankel Developmental Scale, a method of charting parents' observations of their handicapped children's development in seven areas (fine motor, gross motor, dressing, eating, social, language, and cognitive development) is described and a sample scale is presented. (CL)

Reports a study of mathematical interactions and developing attitudes of children in transition from preschool to school. Two episodes of construction play were analyzed to suggest a model of autonomous learning. Access to self-regulatory social relations was closely linked to accessibility of mathematical meanings. Contains 59 references. (FDR)

Describes observations of tethered satellites or subsatellites. Presents tracking tips to help students observe a new satellite, the Tether Physics and Survivability experiment. (JRH)

Surveys of the math attitudes of adult basic education teachers and learners, interviews with 8 teachers and 15 learners, and 85 hours of ethnographic observations led to these findings: teaching decisions are minimally influenced by learners; teacher-centered approaches prevail; math instruction is similar to inculcation; teachers and textbooks…

A reflective account of work experience undertaken by a teacher trainee reveals the learning derived from observation of the delivery of basic skills in the workplace. (Contains 20 references.) (SK)

Discusses Hugh Mehan's "Learning Lessons" in the development of the naturalistic study of classroom discourse studies and considers the emergence of an alternative program for classroom discourse studies in critical discourse analysis. Critiques some studies of classroom discourse and analyzes a fourth-grade lesson on fractions to show how the…

Uses three specific studies to analyze methods of data collection from children, including participant observation, focus groups, interviews, and structured activities. Points out the effective and ineffective aspects of each method, and deals with methodological issues such as parental consent, access to children, privacy, and confidentiality.…

Describes classroom observation techniques focusing on what the students are learning rather than how the teacher is teaching. Highlights research on effective teaching; provides examples of programs to teach principals effective classroom observation and teacher-evaluation techniques; emphasizes link between teacher evaluation and professional…

Explains the difference between children's sensible reasoning and Piagetian conceptions of concrete reasoning. Children will modify their experiments to accommodate their beliefs long before they will change their beliefs to fit the evidence. Teachers should stress relevance, prediction, and consistency when resolving discrepancies between beliefs…