The ability to recognize and recall details about objects helps scientists figure out the answers to problems. Observational skills can be developed by sketching objects in detail. Rapid drawing can improve students' sense of important features and rapid memorization of clues about an object. (JDD)

Discusses formalizing in mathematics and provides anecdotal illustrations of formalizing in a constructivist environment, using students aged 12 and 8 involved in fraction work. (Contains 19 references.) (MKR)

Elementary teachers (n=9) saw giftedness as having the common characteristic of creativity. However, in nominating students to gifted programs, teachers focused on classroom performance more than creativity. Thus, their observations more closely matched official definitions rather than their personal concepts, and they had not worked to align the…

Defines vital whole-language components and then suggests how the clinical supervision preconference, data collection, and postconference cycle can be used to identify and analyze teacher concerns or questions. Discusses three data collection techniques appropriate for the whole-language classroom. (RS)

Ninety-five subjects observing videotaped secretaries performing well or poorly were told either to evaluate or monitor job performance. Ratings were influenced by the rater's objective. Regardless of objective, results showed a high level of covariance among the independent traits of the secretaries. (SK)

A method is presented for determining the optimal number of conditions to use in measurement designs when resource constraints are imposed. The method is illustrated using a multivariate two-facet design, and extensions to other designs are discussed. (SLD)

Behavior of direct care staff serving clients with mental retardation in 13 units of a large state-operated residential facility was observed. Results indicated that the activities of direct-care staff were influenced by the client's functioning level, the presence of professional staff, the location of the observation, and the resident- staff…

Discusses methods that may be applied to the evaluation of hypermedia, based on six models described by Lawton. Techniques described include observation, self-report measures, interviews, automated measures, psychometric tests, checklists and criterion-based techniques, process models, Experimentally Measuring Usability (EMU), and a naturalistic…

Female students in a graduate journalism program in Britain failed in a common attempt to counter sexist treatment during their training in this male-dominated profession resulting from the priorities of the school and demands of the program. (DM)

Examined differences in connectedness of instruction on equivalent algebraic expressions between an expert and two novice teachers by analyzing lesson plans, observations, and postlesson interviews. Only the expert teacher used both lesson and content connectedness to guide teaching. Differences in teachers' views and uses of connectedness are…

An observational technique for assessing the social interaction skills of elementary age students with disabilities is described. The procedure focuses on three interaction elements: (1) initiating the interaction, (2) turn taking, and (3) responding to the interaction. The method of data recording and analysis is delineated. (DB)

Notes that the ecological perspective on observation of learning focuses on the processes of interaction while attempting to unravel them from the inside out. Concludes that this approach requires a new look at basic assumptions about its role in the construction of theory and practice, i.e., evidence of learning will require new ways to document…

This naturalistic study examined the classroom collaborative play activities of nine preschoolers with hearing impairments and language delays, but without sign-language skills. Findings indicated the children constructed collaborative play episodes which incorporated role, action, and object transformations using a nonverbal metacommunication…

Ethnographic fieldwork is advocated as two ways for student affairs educators to enhance practice. Recent fieldwork and published ethnographic texts about college students are used to illustrate three benefits: (1) access to students' experience and culture; (2) access to student and campus culture; (3) enhance practice through informed…

Observations of and interviews with eight at-risk students in technology education over 6 months indicated that they performed well in technology education, did less well in other subjects, and preferred hands-on learning. Five of eight said they would have dropped out if unable to enroll in technology education. (SK)