An interaction analysis observation instrument, with categories found in the definition of "executive competence" by Wenar and related to R. White's effectance motivation, was used to observe 37 toddlers with their mothers. (SB)

Reviews studies gathering data about what happens inside science classrooms, studies providing information about the nature of interaction in science lessons, studies which have examined factors influencing the nature of interaction, and studies which have looked at the impact of different patterns of interaction on science outcomes. (Author/SL)

Effects of three intervention procedures were compared in increasing academic achievement and level of appropriate behavior for children with relatively low rates of appropriate behavior. A significant experimental/control group difference, favoring experimentals, was found for reading and math achievement and level of appropriate behavior.…

The role of the elementary school principal in improving the quality of reading instruction is primarily one of motivation. (MB)

Mothers of 20 infants ranging in age from 14 to 16 months were asked to predict their infants' preferences within sets of toys varying in a single attribute. Their accuracy was checked by observing the infants at play. (Author/JMB)

This study focused on the kinds of cognitive behaviors preschool and kindergarten children engage in while playing in a solitary, parallel, associative or cooperative manner. The effects of socio-economic status, developmental level, and the use of specific materials on social and cognitive levels of play are discussed. (BD)

Compared the Marital Interaction Coding System (MICS) and the Communication Skills Test (CST) to determine the similarities and differences in the assessment data obtained from these observational measures. Coded videotaped marital conflict-resolution discussions of married couples with both systems. Husband-wife and distressed and nondistressed…

Application of the natural science-technical research model to the study and development of teaching has had a distorting and disintegrating effect on education. Teachers must be encouraged to participate in the study and development of their profession, and learning environments must be studied singly and in their full context. (JC)

Concurrent use of two direct observation instruments (momentary time sample of task engagement and event recording of discrete student responses) were evaluated in six middle school resource rooms using either of two reading programs. Findings tended to be program specific with differences lost or diluted when data were combined across programs.…

Discusses the problem of evaluating school counselors, often seen as both teachers and administrators. Besides student outcomes, principals can consider several factors, including teacher-parent feedback, informal observations of counselors' presentations, and followup of student referrals. An inset briefly describes a College Board report with…

The supervisor's visit to the classroom includes more than observation. An important dynamic in the teacher's acceptance of the supervisor is permission for interpersonal access. Includes an analysis of interviews with 12 teachers on the subject. (MD)

The extent to which two trained observers agreed in coding infant communicative cues was examined in a study of 15 mothers and their 11-month-old infants whose handicaps ranged from mild to severe. Observers agreed on the occurrence of an infant cue less often when coding their more severely handicapped infants. (Author/JW)

Presents anecdotes from nursery school daily records which illustrate significant learning experience through cooperative work and play. Suggests that children process and learn information by playing with that information. (NH)

Computer-assisted observer training of 12 college students using interactive videotapes produced observational repertoires that accurately reflected a wide range of targeted events. Maintenance (thinning feedback) and nonmaintenance (no feedback) training generated equivalent degrees of observational accuracy. Data indicated the standard practice…

Contrasts effects of developmental characteristics of peer interaction partners on three preadolescent students with severe developmental disabilities observed while playing with (1) children of similar age and comparable diagnosis, (2) nondisabled children of similar age, and (3) chronologically younger but developmentally similar nondisabled…