Observations were made of instructor-student classroom interactions at the collegiate level. Professors interacted differentially at a significant level with minority versus non-minority students in the majority of the behavioral observations, and the instructors had significantly lower academic expectations of undergraduate minority students…

Explores the ability of 5 children aged 1 month to 30 months to initiate and maintain topics of conversation. The data demonstrate that at the beginning of development children simply attract attention to themselves as the topic of conversation and that later, as their interests broaden, their topic repertoire expands. (Author/SED)

University of Oklahoma Libraries conducted a cost study of circulation service-desk operations. Using percentages of staff time occupied in particular tasks, pay rates, indirect costs, and overhead, total costs were computed on task-by-task basis. Information served as basis for reorganization of work assignments and revision of staff scheduling.…

Summarizes results of a study exploring verbal communication processes of supervisors and teachers involved in teacher development conferences. Highlights supervisors' need for leadership and effective communication skills in observation sessions, so that both inexperienced and self-confident teachers will be encouraged to improve instructional…

Examines how six "sway" students, that is, students who have learned how to interact verbally with the teacher in a foreign language, affected the organization of interaction and language development in a high school Spanish class. The effect was that they allowed the teacher to progress effectively through the lesson. (Author/SED)

Describes experiments in which microcomputers were placed in large and small preschool classrooms to examine which free-play activities were and were not affected by microcomputer's presence, sex differences in microcomputer preference and use, social interactions occurring around microcomputers, and whether these interactions differ in frequence…

Tools for assessing the quality of parent-child interactions in programs for handicapped infants and toddlers include: (1) behavioral observation systems (molar rating, molecular coding); (2) interaction assessment systems (molar rating scales, molecular coding systems, checklists). Considerations in selection should include content validity,…

Permeated with ethical and political concerns, with racial gender, and cultural differences, this case study deals with specifics of Native American education in Canada. It is an example of educational change and takes its meaning from that reality. (Author)

This study identified dimensions of classroom control derived from factor analysis of selected classroom process variables, interpreted these dimensions in relation to two contemporary models of classroom control, and explored the relationships between dimensions of control and certain cognitive and affective outcomes. (Author/LMO)

The importance of attention to task is presented, followed by discussion of observational methods for assessing attention to task and related interventions. Issues related to assessment and intervention planning for metacognitive skills are discussed within the context of a step-wise intervention monitoring plan. (Author/LMO)

Discusses results of research on the introduction of microcomputers into a secondary school which focused on teachers' views and opinions toward computers in general and in teaching. The analysis utilized to determine teachers' attitudes is described, and the spectrum of teachers' views is discussed. Two specific teachers' opinions are reviewed.…

Presents a checklist of criteria that could be used in a formative evaluation of films and videotapes and describes six ways of assessing the products' effects on an audience: observation, questionnaires, group interviews, expert opinions, machine evaluation, and controlled experimentation. (MBR)

Teaching is characterized as a complex cognitive skill amenable to analysis in a manner similar to other skills described by cognitive psychology. A formal model of the process of instruction in elementary mathematics is presented and examined in light of empirical data from both expert and novice teachers. (Author/LMO)

The development of sociometric status in children's peer groups over time was observed among 48 unacquainted second-grade boys brought together in play groups of eight boys each. Observers recorded free-play interaction behaviors of each boy by using a complex event-recording system and video cameras. (Author/RH)

Through colleague consultation, teachers develop a collaborative relationship conducive to interclass visitation, observation, and discussion. This helps teachers to become more critical and reflective of their teaching. Clinical supervision is suggested as a method of helping teachers find meaning in their teaching. (Author/DF)