As a stage-based model of learning, the Instructional Hierarchy offers a useful heuristic for organizing research on effective instructional strategies at different levels of skill proficiency. In this paper, we summarize and highlight the unique contributions of each empirical study presented in the special issue. We describe common…

Problem statement: This study aims to investigate factors influencing mathematic problem-solving ability of sixth grade students. One thousand and twenty eight of sixth grade students, studying in the second semester of academic year 2007 were sampled by stratified random sampling technique. Approach: The research instruments used in the study…

The purpose of this descriptive component of a larger, exploratory case study was to examine associations among lesson contexts, teacher behaviors, and adolescent physical activity over a year of physical education (PE) at one school. Middle school students (n = 206) and their PE teachers (n = 4) were observed twice-weekly across one academic…

This study compared Korean students in South Korea and Korean students in the US regarding their perceptions of instructor decision authority and verbal and nonverbal immediacy. Korean students reported higher instructor decision authority and lower levels of instructor verbal and nonverbal immediacy in Korean classrooms than in US classrooms.…

Purpose: This paper seeks to explore satisfactory and unsatisfactory classroom (student-lecturer) encounters in higher education from a student's perspective. Design/methodology/approach: The critical incident technique (CIT) is used to categorise positive and negative student-lecturer interactions, to reveal quality dimensions of the lecturer,…

This article builds on Lugg's (2006) discussion of surveillance in public schools and how queer youth are resisting schools' current efforts to regulate sexual orientation and gender expression in the U.S. and internationally. Legal complaints initiated by queer youth against their schools for harassment and access to extra-curricular activities…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to compare teachers' organisational behaviour in publicly- and privately-funded schools in the Dutch Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. Design/methodology/approach: A percentage of all middle managers in publicly and privately funded schools (72 per cent and 43 per cent respectively) distributed…

Educators face ongoing pressure to improve student outcomes, especially with regard to academic achievement and social behavior. One viable strategy for supporting and improving instructional practices is to conduct classroom observations and provide performance feedback. Researchers have shown performance feedback to be effective in the…

The current literature on instructional coaching shows that for the coaching relationship to be successful, the instructional coach must exhibit certain attitudes and behaviors to ensure the development of this relationship. These attitudes and behaviors include trustworthiness, respectfulness, credibility, enthusiasm, valuing of continuous…

Reflective teaching practice has become a central theme in professional growth at the pre-service teacher education level almost everywhere. English language teaching (ELT) teacher trainers, like any other teacher trainers, have a powerful role to play in fostering reflection in their student teachers through the approaches and strategies they…

The processes of motivation, teaching, and learning are interrelated. Misguided motivation and resultant disinterest in learning in underachieving students may be due to unhealthy self-concepts: if students believe that they can't learn, they usually don't learn. Since self-concept is a result of a student's experiences, a good self-concept can be…

A humorous look at how to break children of drinking and taking dope by repulsing them. (IRT)

Key elements of good discipline are found in a reward-oriented environment where each child has worth and belongs to a group where there is no penalty for attempting success. Teachers must shift from reactive punishment to proactive alternatives and rewards. (JOW)

Discusses Lee Canter's theories of assertive discipline. Includes four assertions that support his thesis and proposes recommendations that can assist educators in establishing programs that are sensitive, collaborative, and logically assertive. (JOW)