The Classroom Interaction Analysis Index (CIAI) is an instrument developed to categorize the actions of teachers and students as they interact in classroom situations. In the study described, a class of 30 social studies student teachers were divided into teams of five each. Each team taught the same preplanned lesson twice--by illustrated lecture…

A one-year collaboration research project between San Diego State University and the Sweetwater Union High School District was carried out to test the notion that teachers of limited English-speaking students can effectively carry out research pertinent to them. It included 20 teachers, 16 student teachers assigned to them, two university…

Anthropological methods of classroom observation were combined with the results of student responses to three questionnaires in a study of classroom learning environments. The questionnaires were: Learning Environment Inventory, Class Activities Questionnaire, and ALP (Authenticity, Legitimacy, Productivity) Ethos Instrument. Although the…

The Involvement Instrument, an observational technique for examining children's interaction patterns and degree of involvement within the school setting, is presented in this paper. Training protocols for obtaining skill in using the Involvement Instrument, methods of analyzing data obtained by using the instrument, and criteria for determining…

This document briefly describes Phase I of the Preschool Project. The research from 1969-72, Phase II, focuses on how the experiences and environments of highly competent and less competent children differ in early childhood. It is theorized that intellectual development is a function of a child's interaction with his human and physical…

This manual contains instructions which formed the basis for the training of observers to collect data on the Personal Record of School Experience (PROSE) form for a 1969-1970 longitudinal study of disadvantaged children. (CK)

Requests for evaluation instruments measuring program quality rather than program content have required the development of new measuring procedures. Two sets of materials are presented in this report--the first to identify objectives and expected outcomes for school programs and persons in the school, and the second to identify the actual climate…

Presents an observational checklist for determining giftedness, based on ten categories of behavior; suggests a model for identification of dominant cultural and subdominant cultural gifted that emphasizes positive performance criteria. (MKM)

Eleven studies of the accuracy of teachers' reports of their classroom behavior are summarized. Teacher reports of specific behaviors were not very accurate, but grouping answers into dimensions resulted in greater correspondence between teacher reports and observations. Self-reports used to classify teachers on a continuum appeared trustworthy.…

Describes a study which examined through classroom observations of reading and social studies whether elementary schools provide comprehension instruction. Major findings included the fact that almost no comprehension instruction was found. (MKM)

A guide for creating case studies is provided for teacher educators to share with students. Suggestions are offered for becoming a participant observer in a classroom. The appendix contains sample appropriate and inappropriate field notes. (SM)

Reviews the seven papers presented at a symposium entitled "Perennial Issues in Qualitative Research," part of the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (San Francisco, California, 1986), and included in this issue. Discusses the demonstrated usefulness of qualitative methods in educational research, and also…

Analyzes the judgment calls, changing research philosophy, and methodology of a researcher trained within a noninterventionist model as the individual moves into participatory research. Argues that the nature of doctoral research shapes the research experience and raises issues concerning power in academe and the way that research questions are…

Asserts that child caregivers must work to create and maintain a relationship with families. Provides suggestions for relationship building: (1) appreciating and liking a child; (2) building trust across cultures; (3) beliefs about child rearing; (4) beliefs about appropriate communication; and (5) sharing information with families. Concludes by…

Observing young children learning is an indispensable part of teaching in the early years and this is clearly acknowledged in the "Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage." It is through observing and assessing learning that one can find out what children know and what skills and concepts they appear to have acquired. In this…