Behavioral differences between Soviet and American foreign language teachers are examined as a basis for improving intercultural understanding and promoting more productive work in the bicultural classroom. The observations are made by American language teachers who have known teachers from both countries as both students and peers. Specific…

Although the physical environment of schools seems to affect the attitude and behavior of students and teachers, there is little scientific proof to support this belief. Two substantial studies have attempted to synthesize available research on the topic. First, an effort by Carol Weinstein has gathered significant data concerning spatial behavior…

A survey of 14 leading language arts, children's literature, and reading methods books, as well as professional journal articles and other notable books on reading to children, yielded a total of eight recommendations made by more than half of the authors, including the following: (1) prepare by previewing the book, (2) read with expression, (3)…

Instructional communication research may be examined from the perspective of teacher effectiveness research, based on three dominant 20th-century philosophical traditions: logical empiricism, interpretive theories, and critical theory. Since at least 1896, scholars have used empirical research methodology (largely "logical empiricism," modeled…

In direct instruction, the teacher, in a face-to-face, reasonably formal manner, tells, shows, models, demonstrates, and teaches the skill to be learned. Therefore, it is the teacher behavior aspect of classroom instruction that underpins the instructional strategy for teaching main ideas. Much has been learned about teacher behaviors that…

A study was conducted at Phillips County Community College to examine part-time students' and adjunct faculty members' perceptions of effective instructional behaviors and strategies. A teaching effectiveness survey was distributed to a random sample of 225 part-time students enrolled in spring 1984 and to 54 adjunct faculty members, asking them…

Teacher behaviors and activities related to varying levels of student engagement and disruption were examined in 41 elementary school classrooms. Teachers and their classes were observed for eight weeks at the beginning of the school year and from January to March to determine: (1) the relationships between management behaviors and two student…

An introductory overview is presented of current Finnish and American research into secondary school teaching as both a moral and technical endeavor. The described research study sought a comprehensive view of what happens in a student teacher's professional development during teacher education. The following problems were researched: (1) what…

An interview of 64 students in eight 3rd- and 4th-grade classrooms and an assessment of their teachers' control orientation were conducted for the purpose of testing the hypothesis that students of autonomy-granting teachers are better means-ends thinkers than those of controlling teachers. Dimensions of students' classroom socialization of…

The effects of instructional guides and wait-time feedback upon the classroom interaction of 40 middle school science teachers were investigated in a prior study. The experimental nature of that study produced an artificial situation involving little personal contact between teacher-participants and the research staff. Therefore, a subsample of 10…

This monograph, intended for training teachers to deal with multicultural groups, focuses upon the realities of the counter-culture of lower socioeconomic group minority students. In a discussion of the rationale for a supervisory model of instruction for these students, it is noted that most of the severely isolated minority groups within the…

This paper examines aspects related to the validity of process-product research involving classroom observation and teacher effectiveness. Differences in categories, terminology, and definitions of five classroom observation instruments are delineated and discussed in relation to their various effects on the validity of process-product research…

Many decisions made in the curriculum of life are philosophical. Few choices are made empirically. In the school/class setting, teachers and supervisors need to choose from among opposite ideas: (1) programmed learning versus learning centers or open space education; (2) basal readers versus individualized reading programs; (3) stated objectives…

This research review and theoretical proposal is based on the assumption that curriculum is concerned with methods and content and that the two are interrelated and interdependent in practice; thus, research on teaching is related to curriculum in use and can inform curricular theory. An overview is presented of different types of research on…

This report is based upon the views and opinions of 2,670 students and 137 teachers in high schools and middle schools in four school districts in California. Quotes from students and teachers are used as illustrations, and as reminders of the human dimension to the schools' problems and successes. The report is divided into sections representing…