A study examined the role of functional analysis as the basis for development of behavior management programs for three preschool boys with developmental disabilities. The maintaining factors for all three boys were relatively easily identified during formal functional analysis assessment and effective intervention programs were designed and…

Looks for appropriate interaction analysis/content analysis techniques that assist in examining the negotiation of meaning and coconstruction of knowledge in collaborative learning environments facilitated by computer conferencing. Reviews strengths and shortcomings of existing interaction analysis techniques and proposes a new model based on…

Describes the incorporation of classroom-based research projects in the Buffalo (New York) Montessori Teacher Education Program's early childhood course as a way to introduce students to research on Montessori and help them develop classroom research skills. Lists sample research topics. Reports that the process provides future and practicing…

Discusses implications for Montessori Teachers of research findings relating children's phonological awareness and reading skills. Notes the importance of using a rich prereading background with manageable and multisensory alphabetic instruction and oral-language games to prepare children to read. Maintains that word-play games provide early,…

Asserts that contemporary students feel alienated by the 'one-to-many' relationship brought upon by lecture courses, self-directed CD-ROMS, and huge college Web sites. Examines ways this silence can be broken. States that educators can use high-tech devices such as e-mail as a basis for connecting with diverse students. Suggests using a creative…

Describes a middle school mathematics project that incorporated the adult mathematics concepts of school finance. Discusses the lesson plans; the goal of teaching students to make, use, and understand frequency tables; and teacher notes on the use of a relevant, complex problem context. (JPB)

Analyzes a teacher education program centered in a constructivist teaching model, "Fostering Community of Learners," showing how three program iterations over time grappled with the fusing of inspiration, reasoning, skill development, and design work. Though none of the iterations were shining successes, all of the elements were…

This article reviews relevant theory and the practical implications of measuring assistive technology outcomes of students with disabilities. Rasch Measurement Scaling, Time Series Concurrent and Differential Approach, and the Multi-Attribute Utility Model are proposed for potential use in assistive technology outcome measurement and future…

Discusses the evolution of instructional uses of technology in special education over the last two decades and the changes in thinking and teaching which have moved away from didactic instructional methods to constructivist approaches. Describes how skills instruction can be an important feature of constructivism for teaching special education…

Constructivist teachers are guided by three basic principles when teaching math to young children. They encourage students to think about their answers, conceptualize how they resolved the problem, and represent their thinking with words, pictures, or symbols. Demonstrating mathematical logic is more important than memorizing rules. (MLH)

A study examined the effectiveness of a group instructional extension of one-to-one discrete trial teaching, which involves the overlapping of trials among students along with the use of sequential and choral group teaching. The approach was demonstrated to consistently increase the correct responding of eight preschoolers with developmental…

This article reviews procedures for evaluating, measuring, and modifying noise and reverberation levels in the classroom environment. Recommendations include: relocating children away from high noise sources, such as fans, air conditioners, heating ducts, and faulty lighting fixtures, using sound-absorbing materials, using acoustical ceiling tile…

The Teacher's Report Form (TRF) was investigated over 3 years for its practical ability to track outcomes in 89 elementary students with emotional disturbances. The students whose placement changed to less restrictive settings demonstrated significant improvement on consecutive TRF's in academic performance, classroom functioning, and aggressive…

Discussion of technology assessment in schools focuses on how three school districts developed and carried out their own technology assessment rather than contracting it out. Highlights include computers in classrooms versus labs; computer trainers and teachers' needs; effects on student achievement; evaluation based on goals; authentic…

Describes action research conducted at two universities in the United Kingdom to discover how students learn in different disciplines. Results of questionnaires and focus group interviews are presented that discuss how learning takes place; different learning outcome demands of different disciplines; and differences in knowledge structures,…