The six chapters in the book comment upon writing and writing instruction. The first chapter describes the major research of the past 15 years and the ways it has altered how teachers regard the teaching of writing. The chapter compares the American research tradition, with its emphasis on system, sequence, and order, and the British tradition,…

Research projects needed in invitational education will vary according to the concept of invitational education held. Three paradigms for invitational education are presented, with research projects suggested for each. First, for those who see invitational education as an "integrative setting," it is suggested that the development of…

Teachers with relatively high scores on the Defining Issues Test of moral development, contrasted with teachers with relatively low scores, had a more democratic view of teacher and student roles, and saw rules as protecting the rights of individual students as well as the group's rights. (NH)

Explores use of historical fiction in elementary social studies curriculum. Examines the value of historical fiction for children and social studies goals it supports. Offers suggestions for using historical fiction in primary and intermediate grades and recommends specific books. (RWB)

Guidelines are provided for evaluating research on the process approach to the teaching of writing to exceptional children. Focus is on the roles of the teacher and the learner. Suggestions are presented for further research, specifically in the areas of fluency, the functions of writing, and the effects of instruction. (Author/JDD)

Reports on a study of factors perceived by faculty from 15 Massachusetts community colleges as having the most effect on college image and of faculty roles in image-enhancing activities. Finds faculty in agreement that high-quality, well-designed academic programs, plus good student-faculty relationships, enhance the external image of the college.…

Discusses factors contributing to participant reluctance in role playing--isolation of role play from the curriculum; lack of interest because of perceived irrelevance to social psychological themes; and acting anxiety. A two-step design which involves gradual role play introduction and observation by reluctant participants is suggested as a…

Discusses cultural models, prototypical scripts that constitute the meaning of language as used by a particular group. Argues that the role of the second language teacher is to encourage students to focus on and develop beyond the cultural models of their home cultures and of the mainstream school culture. (FMW)

Analysis of Pegnato and Birch's data invalidates the observation that teacher nominations should not be relied upon in gifted identification, as analysis shows that effectiveness and efficiency are related to number of subjects singled out as a result of the chosen cutoff value. An alternative is presented: compare correlation coefficients of the…

This study examined the effects of two indirect corrective feedback procedures (picture and video referencing involving instructor prompting) on the assembly skills of five secondary students with moderate mental retardation. Picture and video referencing conditions were more effective than assembly photographs, sequenced pictures, sequenced…

The Dutch quality improvement model in higher education has successfully maintained the delicate balance between internal improvement and external accountability, but the faculty's clear ownership of the system (as contrasted with government ownership in some nations) has made continuous quality improvement a dominant feature of the current Dutch…

This book is the result of a seminar on emancipatory education and the action research projects in the Department of Didactics at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. The book starts with questions regarding the nature of action research. This first chapter discusses the meaning of some crucial organizing concepts, asks questions…

Teachers are a potentially helpful resource for abused children, but generally lack training in child abuse identification and intervention. Elementary and junior high school teachers (N=104) were surveyed concerning their abuse-related experience, knowledge and attitudes. Sixty-eight percent of the teachers reported 3 or fewer hours of education…

The effects of introducing a microcomputer into an elementary-school classroom were studied using a naturalistic paradigm. Initial questions investigated the impact of the microcomputer on children's behavior, interactions, and responses to available software; and on the teacher's role. Data were fathered through: weekly observation for 4 months;…

Examines the verbal interactions of one teacher with young children (three to five years old) in a preschool classroom through an analysis of her questions and dialogue. Results indicated this teacher asked questions encouraging open, extended conversations, and maintained natural and child-centered conversations with children. (Author/BB)