Describes and discusses the use of action research, research carried out by teachers. Highlights the aims and means of action research, how to prepare teachers to collect and interpret classroom data, and procedures for conducting action research, including initial reflection, planning, action, observation, and reflection. (Author/VWL)

Examines technology skills among various constituencies in one college of a major research university. Skills were assessed through self-reports on a survey, direct observations of participants, and interviews. Results revealed differences in skill levels by gender, race, and status (faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students).…

Two studies examined preschool teacher and child interactions regarding personal, moral, and socioconventional issues in the classroom and the development of personal concepts. Findings suggested that in both judgments and social interactions, teachers and children identified a personal domain in which children can and should make choices about…

Observed 18- to 30-month-olds' use of force against peers. Found no sex differences in average aggression levels or in mothers' aggression ratings. Rate of hitting peers and mothers' ratings were stable over 6 months for girls only. Toddlers especially sensitive to peers' possible intentions hit peers more and were more likely than to use force…

Examined 10 early childhood teachers' views regarding curricular trends for young children, their teaching practices, and systemic constraints affecting their teaching. Teachers were identified as advocates, resistors, or traditionalists. Systemic constraints identified included early academics, reading wars, and standardized testing. Teachers…

Studies English comprehensive secondary school students' interpretation and hypothesis-making while 12 year-old students are observing a bottle ecosystem of brine shrimps without any prior instruction and keeping diaries. Studies students through the task of open-ended diary writing and through small group discussions about the scientific…

Describes a strategy to help students learn how to make detailed observations. Emphasizes making productive observations using complete, detailed, accurate statements or pictures. (SAH)

The practice of law depends on capacity to observe facts and base advice/strategies on such observations. Most of this is not taught in law schools, even in clinical experiences. Fact consciousness can be taught through traditional case analysis, emphasizing personal observation and use of past experiences, particularly stressful experiences.…

Describes the development of Casebook of Project Practices (CaPPs) to help teachers learn a constructivist approach to science teaching--project-based science. Presents a study using CaPPs in a teacher development institute. Implications concern backgrounds teachers bring to the use of multimedia and how these backgrounds influence how they use…

This article describes the impetus and rationale for the development of the Sign Language Skills Classroom Observation (SLSCO) assessment. The procedure for developing the SLSCO is discussed and the results of use of the SLSCO with National Technical Institute for the Deaf faculty (n=14) during a trial year are summarized. (Contains references.)…

Describes an activity for introductory research methods in which students form a hypothesis regarding a personality difference between Captain Kirk from the original "Star Trek" and Captain Picard from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and then empirically test the hypothesis by observation of operationally defined behaviors.…

Four experiments with 4th, 5th, and 6th graders addressed conceptual change in response to anomalous data about empirical regularities in science. Impedance to conceptual change in response to anomalous data could potentially occur at any of four cognitive processes: observation, interpretation, generalization, or retention. In the four…

Reports on a year-long study of three biology teachers' language integrated biology teaching to nonnative English speaking students. Used extensive classroom observations and interviews to provide a portrait of these teachers' working with multilingual, multicultural, and multilevel students. (Author/VWL)

Observed friendships of sixteen 4- to 5-year-olds during their transition to school. Found that important shared activities for friends over the transition included birthday parties, overnight stays, resource sharing, and reciprocal or complementary play. Only two dyadic friendships survived over the transition. Children with friends did not make…

Discusses a sample puzzle activity called "Thinking Like an Artist" that encourages careful observation of artwork and prompts students to decode the thought processes used by artists. Helps students develop original ideas and strengthens their problem-solving abilities. Provides a list of materials, rules, and the procedure in detail. (CMK)