An education professor explains how she uses her own lesson plans for a course in middle-grade methods to demonstrate lesson planning for students. She uses an entrance table with handouts to illustrate time-saving classroom techniques. Seeing and experiencing generally beats telling. (MLH)

Identifies five dimensions of professional instructional competencies based on qualitative empirical studies (participant observation, interviews, and data analysis). Discusses the concept of a "professional self" in order to explain professional development. Emphasizes self-reflection and observation as the means for professional educators to…

Presents the results of an evaluation study analyzing the application of peer group supervision at seven German primary schools. Investigates whether participation in school-specific groups that had been introduced in the method of peer group supervision leads to changes in teachers' consulting behaviors. (CMK)

Explains a Martin-Luther-University at Halle research project that aims to learn about the effects of restructuring and transformation following the political change in the new Bundeslaender on the professional and biographically determined convictions and structures of pedagogical practice of male and female teachers in Sachsen-Anhalt (Germany).…

Outlines seven characteristics a university teacher must posses to meet the challenges of a distance learning network. These teachers must meet the needs of expanding categories of learners who are coping with new definitions of a semester, utilize alternative methods for gaining access to and sharing information, incorporate emerging technologies…

Focuses on the teaching behavior of a small sample of rural self-described whole-language kindergarten teachers to determine consistency level between their perceptions of whole-language teaching and whether whole-language concepts were applied to their classroom instruction. Indicates many teachers were unable or unwilling to incorporate many of…

A study involving four teachers and preschool children with mild disabilities found transition-based teaching did not substantially alter the duration of transitions for teachers or children, did not appear to interfere with other teacher responsibilities during transitions, and produced increases in children's target behaviors. (Author/CR)

States that teachers should understand their own assumptions about conflict and their approaches to it. Proposes a four-step model for conflict resolution: (1) identify the problem without blame; (2) brainstorm alternatives together; (3) agree on a solution; and (4) evaluate the result. Includes a section of conflict resolution resources by Steven…

Reports on findings from a case study in which eight excellent K-12 public school teachers were interviewed and observed. Discusses how teachers talk about their students' different learning styles; how teachers respond to their students' different learning styles; and why teachers respond to their students' different learning styles. Notes four…

Describes a Newfoundland (Canada) Supreme Court case overturning a teacher's conviction for assault for slapping an unruly child. Discusses the Canadian Criminal Code's "justification" provision that allows parents and teachers to use "reasonable" force to correct a child, and efforts to abolish the provision that argue it…

Interviews 6 high school social studies teachers. Discusses findings regarding 5 factors that influence teachers' uses of different conceptions of discussion: student diversity, lesson objectives, age and maturity of students, sense of community in the classroom, and students' interest level. Notes implications regarding students' influence on…

Research using new direct observation procedures to analyze classroom social behavior of children with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) is reviewed. Research indicates teachers seldom provide praise or other forms of potential social reinforcement and that teachers may engage in behavior to escape or avoid social contact with these…

Describes steps taken to lower the defense mechanism that acted as a barrier to second language learning for a 5-year-old English-speaking Puerto Rican child. Utilized three key principles: (1) getting to know the student as an individual; (2) changing oneself to adapt to the student; and (3) giving the student a chance to experience comfort and…

Principals must learn to deal with their most difficult, resistant teachers and value improvement over perfection. Naysayers must not be allowed to paralyze other staff's efforts. Principals can limit these teachers' power by changing seating arrangements at faculty meetings and modeling interpersonal strategies. (MLH)

Revisits and reviews Imre Lakatos' ideas on "Falsification and the Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes." Suggests that Lakatos' framework offers an insightful way of looking at the relationship between theory and research that is relevant not only for evaluating research programs in theoretical physics, but in the social…