Instructional conversation (IC) is a dialogue between teacher and learner in which prior knowledge and experiences are woven together with new material to build higher understanding. IC contrasts with the highly routinized and teacher-dominated "recitation script" of traditional Western schooling. IC varies in form in different cultures,…

To investigate differences in social behavior between learning disabled (LD) and non-learning disabled (NLD) children in different size groups and to examine the association between children's social behavior and acceptance by their peers, a study was conducted of 44 LD and 50 NLD boys and 7 LD and 13 NLD girls from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade…

This study presents a qualitative description of changes in social and symbolic behaviors in an African-American girl with autism over a period of 10 years (from age 5 to 15 years), with emphasis on ages 9 to 11. The primary purpose of the investigation was to elucidate the process ultimately leading to reciprocal social relations and symbolic…

This paper reviews the higher education literature concerning mentoring, examines the stages involved in the mentoring process, and presents an anecdotal account of a mentor/protege relationship. The literature review examines gender and race in mentoring. It reveals that mentoring is very important for females and minorities because of the…

Since the publication of Samuel Shem's "House of God," medical students and residents have been famous for their cynical conversations about patients and life on the wards. This image is largely a caricature, yet peer pressure, medical machismo, stressful working conditions, and house staff subculture do foster negative attitudes and…

Day care center directors and family day care providers were surveyed concerning play opportunities in their programs. Three areas were considered: the physical environment, the importance of play in the program, and peer interaction patterns. Participants included 177 family day care providers and directors from 148 full-day care centers with 243…

This paper presents research on school-aged children's thinking about various issues pertaining to peer relations. The research presented concerns studies derived from Turiel's (1983) theory of domains of social reasoning. Studies covered focus on: (1) children's and adolescents' reasoning about friendships; (2) adolescents' thinking about peers'…

This study investigated the behavioral responses of eight children to five alternate lesson types. Barker's assertion of the coercive nature of setting was examined. Questions addressed were: (1) Do children having the same or similar lessons behave asimilarly or differently? (2) Do children change their patterns of behavior as they move from one…

This paper describes an observational methodology designed to permit increased understanding of the day-to-day social world of school children. The methodology was developed in the course of investigations of the extent to which children classified as rejected on sociometric measures actually experience overt rejection at school. Discussions of…

This paper reports the findings of a survey of 686 secondary school teachers in England on their involvement in their work and the factors to which it is related. Three facet-free and 13 facet-specific measures were derived from a questionnaire sent to teachers who proportionately represented the characteristics of teachers in all secondary…

The purpose of this study was to provide data on teacher induction and to find ways in which a college/university may provide assistance to a school with teachers in their induction year. The study was conducted in three parochial schools that had requested a teacher induction program because of a large influx of new teachers. Descriptions are…

In this study, 242 adolescents were asked to indicate the likelihood that they would seek support from their mother, father, closest sibling, and closest friend when confronted with each of 24 common concerns. Mean scores were generated in eight specific and three general categories for all four target individuals. Mean scores for target…

Seven principles that can help to improve undergraduate education are identified. Based on research on college teaching and learning, good practice in undergraduate education: (1) encourages contacts between students and faculty; (2) develops reciprocity and cooperation among students; (3) uses active learning techniques; (4) gives prompt…

This study reports the perspectives of the 12 Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Fellows regarding the 1985-86 MAT program at Memphis State University. Data were collected via written surveys and tape recorded interviews. Documents such as grade runners, memos, application forms, and program descriptions were also examined. The questionnaire covered…

This compilation of information for teachers and parents translates important aspects of research regarding children's social development and peer relationships into strategies that can be used by parents and teachers to understand and help children who need to develop more effective ways to deal with peers. The publication includes three topical…