This observational study of three preschool children with profound disabilities in an integrated setting revealed frequent opportunities for peer social interactions and indicated that subjects engage in interactions of comparable length to those of nondisabled peers. The importance of helping young nondisabled children understand and respond to…

Using ethnographic methods and taking a sociocultural perspective, examined preschoolers' social competence. Focused on the interactions of two children who were members of a peer group and one who sought membership in the group but was rejected. Discusses the importance of the sociocultural perspective to understanding children's social…

In 24 third and sixth grade classrooms, 78 percent of instructional time involved quiet work or teacher talking, whereas 1 percent involved brainstorming, discussion, oral problem solving, and role playing combined. Talk structures were affected by subject and teacher sex but not by grade or teacher experience. Contains 71 references. (Author/SV)

Advantages of direct observation are prominent in assessment of dietary intake by children, particularly those too young to recall diet accurately, and in situations in which self-report bias exists. The article describes the direct observation method (focusing on institutional settings) and reviews literature on the subject, noting methodological…

Conducts a naturalistic study in a first grade remediation classroom to study language in use and to consider the transactive nature of spelling. Finds that spelling is a social/transactive process in which the learner makes meaning through interpretations of transactions among themselves, others, and the environment. (MG)

Examines gender differences in the nurturant interactions of an older child with an infant sibling and the maternal socialization of the older child's behavior. Finds that older girls interacted more with their infant siblings with virtually no evidence of maternal socialization of the gender difference. (FMW)

Describes how a writing teacher used Classroom Assessment Techniques to improve the functioning of editing groups in her classroom, involving students directly and honestly in classroom management and evaluation of instruction. (SR)

Describes the development and organization of the Colt (Communicative Orientation of Language Teaching) observation scheme and Lyster and Ranta's (1997) error treatment model, instruments including predetermined categories to describe features of instructional input and interaction in second language classrooms. Concludes that the choice of…

This study examined actual implementation of inclusion as part of a district and university restructuring initiative. Participant observation and interviews did not find any movement of special education students to general education despite use of the term "inclusion." Two themes were seen to explain this failure to understand and implement…

Describes the relationship between a graduate-level program to train special-education teachers in technology skills and the attempts of six graduates to use these skills in their work. Presents descriptive data from interviews, observations, document analysis, and survey methods and discusses implications for teacher education. (Author/LRW)

Explores a curriculum-review process for assessing how a specialized secondary school for the gifted might improve its programs and services. The review process used document review, interviews, focus groups, and classroom-observation techniques to arrive at recommendations and an action plan. (Author)

Classroom observation evokes feelings of fear and vulnerability, but the method can have developmental value for faculty. Visits by colleagues from other disciplines and supportive relationships with peer coaches can help improve teaching techniques and teacher quality. (SK)

An 11-week kindergarten observation determined students' concerns about dismissal routines and devised alternatives. Children's concerns focused on the school bus, restroom, materials (homework and missing personal items), and saying good-bye. An alternative routine includes nurturing children's independence; refining the curriculum, adjusting…

Observed mothers with their infants at 6, 12, and 24 months of age to determine mothers' warm responsiveness and restrictiveness and their relationship to developing independence of children. Found that optimal outcomes were related to older mothers with higher socioeconomic status, and more child-centered childrearing attitudes. (LBT)

Outlines the transmission theory of teaching explaining that the theory is criticized in terms of its implied acceptance of theory-free observation, learning by inductive process, and secure knowledge. Discusses Karl Popper's alternative theories of learning and the growth of knowledge and outlines some of the implications for educational…