An experimental study was undertaken to examine: (1) effect of early course evaluation feedback to instructor on subsequent end-of-course class evaluations by students and instructor, and (2) stability of course evaluations by students and instructor. Instructor behaviors and opinions of course value and teaching ability were identified.…

Reports a study of 24 teachers who were mentors for beginning teachers, using information from the second of 2 meetings with each mentor to discuss mentor roles and the benefits of and obstacles to mentoring. Results indicated that teachers considered mentoring valuable, even when under less than ideal circumstances. (SM)

The journals of six special education graduate students were examined in order to define operational categories of reflective thought. The development of reliable and operational definitions for classifying, coding, and evaluating written journals of preservice teachers is described. Past research on the importance of reflective teaching is…

Examined how elementary school administrators' and curriculum coordinators' views of subject matter related to their leadership strategies. Found that relative to reading, leaders' agendas for improving literacy instruction focused on teachers' input and applying literacy skills to several academic subjects. Strategies for improving math…

Explored efforts, within an action research study of a 3- year Inservice Education and Training (INSET) program, to implement reflective approaches in training unqualified and underqualified elementary teachers in Namibia. Results found that western approaches to teacher reflection could not be used productively with Namibian teachers unless there…

American and New Zealander education majors completed an exchange program that included student teaching abroad. Student journals and interviews after the experience indicated that, through their international experiences, students gained more appreciation for their home school culture and acquired new attitudes and beliefs to test against the…

This study examined beginning teachers' perceptions of inservice training needs. Researchers asked beginning teachers to rank the areas in which they needed the most training. The highest ranked topic was student motivation, while practical classroom management ideas and positive reinforcement ranked second. Behavior problems and diversity also…

Summer institute grouped secondary health teachers with current health research and education leaders, offering information to increase their perceptions of personal control over health teaching. Assessment indicated they developed a higher sense of personal control over health teaching and of influences exerted over personal health by powerful…

Reports on a study of verbal interaction during art production experiences. Finds that teachers trained in structured questioning techniques were able to elicit significantly greater proportions of verbal interaction, inquiry-oriented questions, and student verbalizations than teachers not trained in the techniques. (CFR)

Examined whether the use of multiple in-class college student evaluations of instruction throughout the term, coupled with instructor consultations with students, would lead to improved instruction as measured by direct observation and end-of-term student ratings. Results indicated that this created an enhanced learning environment and an…

Examined the outcomes of a 2-year, technology-supported, problem-based learning project which built teacher knowledge through sustained, dialogue-driven collaboration. The qualitative research, involving 28 grade 5-8 teachers, identified key organizational structures for making the most of computer-mediated communication for inservice teacher…

This case study of three primary grade teachers investigated how access to computers and math teaching software influenced mathematics education reform. Discusses technology as a strategy for reducing barriers to implementation and reports results that showed technology's impact on helping teachers expand the scope of their programs and promoting…

Purpose: Policymakers and administrators are increasingly focusing on professional development as a means to improve teaching quality. In this study, the authors examine whether professional development in mathematics is primarily performing an educative function by addressing weak teacher preparation, or a catalytic function by serving mainly…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the impact upon a group of ten early childhood inservice educators of a collaborative professional development course in early literacy development presented using the tools of narrative and reflection. The study considered impact in terms of teachers' beliefs, values, practice, and sense of…

A qualitative study documented the use of reflection-in-action by adult educators in problematic situations. Its focus was to investigate the mental processes involved in problem solving. Since individuals engage problem situations from a personal conceptualization that is unobservable, qualitative interviewing was used to provide respondents with…