Proposes that teachers possess some awareness of the history and philosophy of science and epistemological understanding of the nature of the subject area. Offers perspectives on the role of observation; on hypotheses, theories, and laws; and on models in biological education. (ML)

Research by Labov dealing with everyday speech and its relation to thinking and reasoning is critiqued, and Cooper's detailed criticism of Labov's research is discussed. Researchers should pay attention to actual speech in settings that are natural, rather than using only quantitative abstractions from artificial and restricted verbal encounters.…

Presents a classification scheme for identifying sedimentary rocks in introductory geology laboratories. The key consists of an ordered sequence of tests to perform and observations to make which then suggests a rock name or directs the student to additional tests and/or observations. (ML)

Provides tips for viewing Comet Halley in the Northeast including best viewing dates from November 1985-January 1986. Discusses going south to view the comet in March-April 1986 and gives specific information about accommodations for the Halley Rally in Everglades National Park, southernmost site in the contiguous 48 states. (JHZ)

Provides a summary and analysis of the content of "Readings on Interaction in the Classroom" (Delamont, 1984). Concludes that this book makes an important contribution by bridging the gap between social scientists and educational practitioners. (JDH)

Describes an exercise that teaches students about methodological issues concerned with making reliable observations of behavior. Students learned Eckman's (1972) Facial Affect Scoring Technique from a microcomputer program and then applied it in real life. This exercise generated much discussion about research methods, built observational skills,…

A review of research shows that, while supervisory job prescriptions focus on classroom observation for the purpose of improvement of instruction, job descriptions differ from the prescription and there is a gap between the classroom supervision that occurs and the supervision prescribed in the literature. (FL)

Examined the roles of 11 school psychologists in an urban school in a time sampling study conducted by trained observers. Results generally confirmed the findings of self-report studies showing that 30-40 percent of the psychologists' time was spent in assessment. (JAC)

An English methods student personally reflects back on 10 days of preteaching laboratory experience in a secondary school English classroom. (HOD)

Since thinking is most often performed in problem-solving situations, teachers can become observers by providing situations in which students can practice and demonstrate intelligent behaviors. Some indicators include: perseverance, precision of language, problem finding, decreased impulsivity, metacognition, checking for accuracy, transference,…

Examines the immediate and long term effects of sociometric testing on preschool children's peer interactions. Positive and negative nomination as well as rating-scale sociometric measures were administered individually to children from two preschool classrooms, and behavioral observations of peer interactions were conducted before, after, and…

The natural rates of teacher approval of appropriate student behavior and off-task student behavior were determined in middle school classrooms. Mean rates of teacher approval were found to exceed rates of disapproval. Inappropriate approval also appeared to be a relevant factor in managing classroom behavior. (Author/ DWH)

An ethnolinguistic study of a native group in Mali provides a French teacher interested in teaching "civilization" some insights into techniques of cultural observation and analysis outside the usual realm of mass media and printed materials. (MSE)

Work behavior of high school teachers was studied using a structured observation technique. This method of observation offers information on how individuals spend their time and allocate their attention. Findings are discussed. (DF)

Examines the reciprocal relation of community organization and family patterns by participant observation techniques in two isolated fishing communities, similar in ecology and cultural background. Even though work organization in both is small scale, substantial differences in patterns of family life are found. (JAC)