A young child with cerebral palsy was observed concurrently using four methods of data collection--a participating master teacher, a participating intern teacher, a nonparticipant observer, and videotape recordings--which were then compared. The findings indicated that a highly trained and experienced participant observer can furnish more than…

Those evaluating teacher behavior were highly influenced by verbal remarks that led them to expect either excellent or poor performance. (Editor)

A critique of the research methods used in "Primary Education in England," a report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate that was based on teacher questionnaires and classroom observations of 7-, 9-, and 11-year-olds in 542 schools. (SJL)

Twenty-seven severely mentally retarded patients, all of whom manifested body-rocking in their normal ward environments, were systematically observed. (SBH)

Describes vignettes of meaningful events in the lives of children and suggests the use of vignettes in training teachers and in promoting communication with parents. A number of examples are given. (MS)

"Five roles are considered by which systematic, quantified field research can augment controlled laboratory experimentation in terms of increasing the validity of laboratory studies." Advocates that comparative psychologists should "take more initiative in designing, executing, and interpreting our experiments with regard to the natural history of…

Discusses a workshop designed to explore and develop concepts and practices in the use of effective peer observation for professional development. Notes that seminar leaders established micro-goals, e.g., developing a personal and professional understanding of peer observation, examining affective and power issues, and learning objective…

An early childhood education professor humorously recalls his first day observing 3 year-olds as part of his university practicum. Intimidated by the sight of 15 lively youngsters roaming about, he manages okay, but injures a child when helping with a zipper. Saved by Bactine and Dumbo Band-Aids, he nonetheless worries about the accident report!…

Focuses on the study of geographies of children, offering advice on how to consult with children. Provides information on how to make contact with different groups of children, how to conduct the data collection process, and how feedback will be given. Includes references. (CMK)

Preservice teachers (n=22) observed 45 elementary students' use of instructional CD-ROMs and evaluated the software. Pre/post data indicated that their initial unproblematic views of instructional software modified somewhat. They became more aware of issues in technology use in education. (Contains 19 references.) (SK)

Describes the changing ways child observation is being used by preschool teachers in the United States and Australia in relation to the accountability movement pressuring young children and their teachers in both countries. Explores the costs of the accountability movement in early childhood education. Calls for genuine accountability based on…

Discusses the importance of considering theory to be rooted in observation and suggests that no observation stops with itself but instead yields another observation. Suggests that what must occur is that teachers become prepared to observe their observations: to look and look again. (MG)

Results from an experimental study suggest that (a) participation in classroom management workshops enhanced teachers' (N=29) organizational and management skills; (b) district personnel could be trained to deliver the workshops and conduct classroom observation; and (c) training procedures that were successful with secondary classrooms were also…

Long's article "Inside the Black Box" postulated that what happens inside the classroom is the most important factor in student performance. Here, Long's findings are reexamined, the benefits of more naturalistic inquiry are discussed, and a balanced qualitative and quantitative approach toward classroom foreign language learning research is…

Explores the street life of an adolescent subculture through field study of the Canadian West Coast punk rock subculture. Demonstrates through observation of the members, their behavior and attitudes, and the reactions of others to them, that their activities both represent, and are consequences of, resistance to the dominant order. (Author/JS)