This study examined teaching practices in four suburban high school advanced placement (AP) American History classrooms using case study methodology. Results indicated that more effective teachers distributed and asked more questions, had higher engagement rates, had greater feedback on assignments, and had greater participation and success rates.…

Observations and interviews with preservice elementary teachers examined their beliefs, conceptions, and practices and their views of mathematical and pedagogical content knowledge, noting whether they changed during a mathematics methods course. Results revealed symbiotic relationships between their views of content knowledge and their…

Reports on a national survey of 207 undergraduate economics instructors. Although the lecture method still dominates, many instructors noted that they had integrated more participatory activities such as class discussions, group activities, and instructor questions into their instruction. Includes statistical tables showing characteristics and…

Outlines principles and guidelines for creating productive choral rehearsals and provides examples of each. These include pre-planning and organizing the rehearsal, following a synthesis-analysis-synthesis model, stressing "doing," keeping the rehearsal challenging and unpredictable, and focusing on positive improvement. (MJP)

Describes and synthesizes the findings of 11 case studies which comprise the Exemplary Practice in Science and Mathematics Education Study. Reports four assertions in which exemplary teachers used strategies for management, encouraging students to participate, increasing understanding of science and math, and maintaining a favorable classroom…

Compares class size and faculty rating by students. Warns that certain instructors may not be effective with large class size (>100) but may be very effective with small class size. Infers that some poor large class instructors do not improve with time. (MVL)

Analyzes the classroom interaction pattern of physics teacher trainees in a Nigerian college of education. Findings include: more than half of the lesson was a monologue, and there is a significant relationship between classroom interaction patterns and attitudes towards the teaching profession. Suggests some future changes. (YP)

Asserts that the relationship between students and faculty is the result of responses to a negotiated social setting. Reports on a study of 132 college students on factors that might affect class participation. Offers four recommendations for faculty to encourage student participation and responses to questions. (CFR)

Reports on the results of 180 questionnaires given to public school teachers and 26 structured follow-up interviews on how teachers view themselves as moral educators. Found that teachers' individual moralities shaped the choices they made. Discovered that, although reluctant to teach values directly, teachers feel a commitment to share their…

Assesses the concept of "backwash" in language teaching. The two processes of testing and teaching are considered to be necessary but distinct. A system is described for distinguishing between them which is applied to developing classroom activities for examination preparation classes to help teachers move from testing to teaching…

Contends that student motivation is a major issue for all teachers but is of particular concern for middle school social studies teachers. Reports on an interview with 18 middle school teachers and 60 middle school students on the effectiveness of strategies designed to increase motivation. (CFR)

This study assessed the self-reported behaviors of health educators in terms of standards for healthy living set forth by the health education profession. Members of health professional organizations completed a survey on health behaviors and risk factors. Results indicated their health behaviors were generally positive and within the accepted…

Maintains that, although teaching methods courses prepare prospective teachers for curriculum development, lesson planning, and instructional strategies, the first-year music teacher encounters many new and difficult situations. Presents eight guidelines for surviving and enjoying the first year of teaching. (CFR)

Explores ideas to help college educators empower students through their teaching. The article discusses assumptions of power and privilege that underlie empowerment, providing examples of how educators can disempower. Biological, psychological, and sociocultural processes of empowerment as related to race, gender, and disability are examined. (SM)

Presents findings of a qualitative study of musical learning processes. Findings are reported in terms of the nature of strategies used by children as they work with peers to solve compositional problems. Also finds that successful students moved back and forth from holistic approaches to segmented activities. (CFR)