This report presents the methods and preliminary findings of the Videotape Classroom Study, a video study of eighth-grade mathematics lessons in Germany, Japan, and the United States. This exploratory research project is part of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The study included 231 eighth-grade mathematics…

A study involving 547 girls and 641 boys investigated gender-related differences in prior knowledge in physics before the start of initial physics instruction and influence of prior knowledge on future achievement in 8th-grade German physics courses. Girls achieved lower overall scores in the applied test of prior knowledge in physics. (CR)

This study investigates the influences and relationships between self-concept elements and students' activities in a normal school environment and focuses on individual self-construct. Interest has an important effect on an individual's learning process and behavior. There are three common definitions of interest: (1) interest as a characteristic…

This document reports on the Videotape Classroom Study of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). This exploratory research project focused on eighth-grade mathematics instruction in Germany, Japan, and the United States, videotaping one complete lesson in each sampled classroom during the 1994-95 school year. The…

Teachers in Germany, Japan, and the United States pose many questions to their students, and it is assumed that the kinds of questions teachers ask influence students' opportunities to think and communicate mathematically during lessons. Investigates teachers' use of questions in 8th-grade mathematics classrooms within the three cultures.…

In June 1989, eighth graders in 3 Massachusetts schools participated in a live, 2-way, 90-minute video teleconference with students in Karlsruhe, Germany, as part of a multiorganization partnership called KITES (Kids Interactive Telecommunications Experience by Satellite). Although environmental sciences was the official topic, students also…

This book is an action plan for improving education in the U.S, focusing on the key role of teachers in this improvement. It offers a detailed comparison of the educational methods of Germany, Japan, and the United States. The analysis begins with an international study of mathematics teaching in the three countries that was conducted as part of…

Facets of problem solving instruction (PSI) were studied in German mathematics classrooms. Nine different facets of PSI were identified from the research literature, and a video rating form was developed to assess these facets and teacher effectiveness. Videotaped mathematics lessons (n=147) for German eighth graders from the sample for the Third…

As part of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), videotapes of classroom instruction were collected from 231 eighth-grade mathematics classrooms in Germany, the United States, and Japan. Findings suggest that written reports about teaching disseminated to teachers may have little effect on classroom practices. (SLD)

This board game encourages junior and senior high school student analysis of the German campaign against the USSR and gauges student decision-making skills. The World War II Russo-German Front is simulated in a standard board game format. A key element of the game is its analysis and results form. Using this form compels students to analyze and…

This teaching module with its 80-minute videotape of lessons from U.S., Japanese, and German classrooms is designed to help moderators facilitate discussion among educators. This guide is intended to help moderators make appropriate decisions about sessions and suggest items to consider when discussing the Third International Mathematics and…