Observation of one sixth-grade teacher's classroom decision making, using videotaping and interviews, revealed that decision making occurred frequently during each lesson, comprised mostly instructional and managerial decisions, and was based more on teacher assessments of students' states of mind than on teacher knowledge. (RW)

Presents an annotated bibliography of ERIC resources on the following topics: teacher communication; research on classroom interaction; using systematic observations to improve teaching; different systems of classroom observations; and research on classroom observation techniques. (PD)

Narrates a principal's first full-day observation by her superintendent. Notes the lessons learned (to keep half of one's time unscheduled, get the unvarnished truth, and apply management techniques in one's own way) and describes the observation process, including the postobservation conference and a written summary by the person observed.…

A secondary analysis was conducted to test the validity of five behaviors from five classroom observation systems: approves/praises; asks questions; criticizes/disapproves; gives directions; and presents facts or judgments. Scores for each were intercorrelated and arranged in a multitrait-multimethod matrix. Evidence was found of construct…

One stationary camera with an audio-video taping system permitted systematic comparisons of staff-initiated touching in relation to naturalistic variations in the physical appearances of patients, and the sex, age, and social statuses of interaction partners at a home for the Jewish aged. This procedure is discussed with regard to the…

From the assumption that all social reality can be usefully viewed as the processes whereby people act and interact in everyday life, this paper argues that the macroanalysis characterizing most comparative education research must be replaced by systematic observation and analysis of the microcosmic world of everyday school life. (Author/SJL)

Suggests ways of judging teacher performance based on the five basic steps in the teacher evaluation process: (1) gathering information and making judgments; (2) holding the evaluation conference; (3) identifying areas needing improvement; (4) providing assistance; and (5) guiding the teacher out of teaching if improvement cannot be made.…

The Pediatric Examination of Educational Readiness, a standardized observation system which combines a prekindergarten physical examination with a neurodevelopmental and behavioral assessment, was field tested on 386 children, of whom 22 percent revealed a "definite concern" in one area of development or behavior, 8 percent in two, and…

Behavioral assessment methods for measuring the social development of exceptional children include teacher nominations, rankings, rating scales, and checklists. Use of direct observation procedures in analogue (simulated) and naturalistic settings can pinpoint antecedents and consequences of social behavior and provide goals for intervention. (CL)

Forms and functions of social comparison verbalizations were studied among preschoolers in a naturalistic setting. Each social comparison statement was coded into content (ability, possession, status, attitude, activity) and function (diffentiation/similarity, cognitive clarity, evaluative, competitive) categories. Results indicated preschoolers…

The effects of peer familiarity on social interactions were studied by observing pairs of preschool children who were either familiar or unfamiliar with each other in 50-minute free-play sessions. (CM)

Interaction between mother and first-born child before and after the birth of a second child was studied in 41 families, using home observations and interview techniques. (MP)

The role of self-observation in the self-awareness of gifted and talented children is explored. Special adjustment problems of gifted children are covered. (CL)

Describes various ground/space techniques and instruments used in space studies. Also describes space phenomena observed, for example, pulsars and galaxies. (SK)

Considered two unexplored issues concerning use of parental ratings to measure young children's temperament: (1) the validity of such measures, and (2) parents' projection of their own personality in rating their children. (Author/DB)