Describes ten common technical mistakes most graduate teaching assistants make while teaching, such as projecting a weak presence, relying too heavily on their notes, posing vague questions, and not reinforcing student participation. Offers suggestions for correcting the mistakes. States that faculty might want to monitor their own teaching…

Examines the manner in which more and less proficient fourth-grade peer discussion groups managed topics and group process across time. Finds that coherence is a key to conversational competence. Suggests that large amounts of metatalk and teacher intrusion cause disjuncture to peer discussion and impair the group's ability to manage topics. (RS)

Investigated changes in elementary mathematics instruction in Hong Kong over 3 years of curriculum reform. Mathematics lessons were observed in 12 schools over the 3 years. Although whole-class instruction was still the dominant teaching method, the role of the teacher was changing from that of a virtuoso performing to that of a conductor…

Five hypothetical ethical dilemmas involving alumni offices are outlined, and the responses of a number of alumni directors and ethics experts are provided. The scenarios involve administrator travel, valued faculty violating institutional policy on multiple employment, alumni staff members' loyalty to alumni board versus the institution, hiring…

Explores book discussions conducted by two teachers as they increased the use of literature in their classrooms. Finds that both teachers valued book discussions and saw their role as facilitator, although one teacher remained firmly within a literal interpretation of texts and in control of verbal interaction; and students tended to address…

This article discusses teachers' ability to discriminate between effective and ineffective practices in terms of some etiological macrosystem influences and possible sequelae in practice that determine likely outcomes for teaching children and youth with disabilities. The relationship between high discriminative ability and efficient and effective…

Investigated students' perceptions of teachers pupil-control behavior, classroom robustness, and student self-control, highlighting possible differences between public and military secondary schools. Humanistic approaches had more positive, interrelated effects among these variables. Military (custodial) classrooms were perceived as less robust,…

Explores the types of behavior in the studios of acclaimed string teachers whose instruction is based on the principles of Shinichi Suzuki. Focuses on (1) the time allocated to teacher, student, and parent and (2) the relationships between student characteristics and lesson participants. (CMK)

Offers ideas on how to incorporate the principles espoused by Stephen Covey with the music classroom: (1) be proactive; (2) begin with the end in mind; (3) put first things first; (4) think win/win; (5) seek first to understand, then to be understood; (6) synergize; and (7) improve skills. (CMK)

A model for understanding the interplay between student-reported teacher behaviors, student self-systems, and student engagement was tested. African American students (N=117) completed a comprehensive questionnaire regarding teacher context, self, and engagement variables. Student self-system variables mediated relations between teacher context,…

Explores the role of teachers focusing on the importance of their enthusiasm for teaching. Discusses such topics as teaching styles, the topical coverage of courses, and the attitudes teachers have toward students. Addresses the issues of personal taste and relevance within the realm of topical content. (CMK)

Argues that the way teachers and students transact with a piece of literature needs to change if teachers are to change the way students read and see themselves as readers. Suggests teachers need to support a variety of responses and avoid the tendency to reduce discussion to a search for a single main idea. Includes a brief response by Susan…

Presents a call to action (including an outline of specific ideas) to educators to resist high-stakes testing, and encourages them to stand up for what they know about how and why children learn (not by the threat of being retained or not graduating) and how and what to teach (not teaching to the tests). (SR)

Expresses concern that instructors have become less creative and less skilled at eliciting student creativity as a result of proliferating planning processes and workshops. Gives new and startling descriptions of how life creates and develops more life. Asserts that instructors need clear intent in the classroom but should not always expect…

Survey responses of 166 administrators and 300 teachers in Alberta schools indicate that most respondents were motivated by personal interest to learn to use the Internet and learned by trial and error. Administrators were more positive than were teachers about the adequacy of school support for Internet use. Administrator and teacher uses of the…