Compares belief systems of preservice and inservice teachers, focusing on whether the two groups make instructional choices based on their theoretical orientations. Finds that practices chosen by teachers with reader-based/holistic orientations reflected their beliefs, while the practices of teachers with mastery-of-skills orientations did not.…

Discusses the Pocketful of History project, which uses historical fiction and biographies to fill in gaps in student knowledge and engage children in meaningful learning experiences. Presents examples of seven historical figures featured in the project. (CFR)

Survey data from 1,069 students in a small private college were used to assess why students offer comments or raise questions in class. Results indicate that class traits and student traits explained the most variance; neither professors' gender nor professors' interpersonal style played a central role in class participation. (Author/MSE)

Examines Socratic teaching methods with special attention to the desirability of the approach's objectives. Contends that Socratic teaching attempts to guide the student from complacency to a state of humility and perplexity. Suggests types of situations in which a Socratic approach can be responsibly and effectively used. (CFR)

Maintains that creative work is sensitive to the social context of the creator. Reports on a nine-month study of how peer social processes influenced children's creative activity in three fifth-grade classes. Finds that variance appears to be related to the structure of the work process established by teachers and students. (CFR)

Maintains that there is an ethical dimension of teaching as an educational activity. Asserts that educators must avoid the errors of considering the ethical dimension as an alternative approach to education as a technical action. Suggests that a human rights framework be used to derive ethical content. (CFR)

Asserts that issues of equality and equity are important to teachers and school administrators. Reviews previous research and reports on interviews with students about their conceptions of fairness. Includes a table illustrating how students develop conceptions of fairness and a class survey. (CFR)

Maintains that it is difficult to recruit and retain male students into vocal music programs. Asserts that if student attitudes are shaped positively in the early grades, it is more likely that male students will continue to participate. Provides five suggestions for recruiting male students at the middle and secondary grade levels. (CFR)

Reports on a study of the comparative philosophies and practices of secondary teachers in schools in New York State and near Moscow, Russia. Finds that teachers have two value orientations: (1) toward the school culture; and (2) toward each person's individual values and ways of thinking. (CFR)

Expresses concern over the unproblematic acceptance of authoritative educational discourses by educators, describes one educator's efforts to engage teachers in problematizing of a particularly authoritative educational discourse (classroom management) in colleges of education, and highlights a graduate course that engaged teachers in exploring…

Reviews research on detection of cheating by students on multiple choice tests. Discusses three ideas concerning detecting, deterring, and confronting cheating. Discusses problems confronting teachers attempting to use statistical data to prove cheating. (CFR)

This study investigated the relationship between behaviors of 10 preservice student teachers completing their student teaching in the area of emotional disturbed/behavior disorders and ratings of their teaching effectiveness by observers. The highest obtained correlation was between the amount of off-task student time observed in the classroom and…

A comparison of comprehensive college and university administrators' attitudes toward faculty behavior and of their institutions' reward systems found that, though administrators valued teaching and service, salaries rewarded research and publishing. (JB)

Presents a two-part article about the use of the Paideia Seminar approach in college and high school classrooms. Outlines the preparation and implementation of discussion seminars. Details student attitudes about the approach. Includes three tables with guidelines, rules, and communication suggestions for seminar leaders. (CFR)

Asserts that negative behaviors and attitudes prevent sustained academic environments. Recommends practical ideas and perspectives to bring changes that contribute to greater student success. Includes two figures depicting an information-constructivist model of school learning and four major components of curriculum decision making. (CFR)