By asking three first-grade teachers to respond to actions taking place in their classrooms, researchers made an attempt to identify the beliefs or constructs that underlie teacher decisions. The following research questions were addressed: Is there a system of professional constructs that can be identified in early childhood teachers? and, To…

The paper describes the role of teachers as mediators of the social studies curriculum. The first section summarizes the literature on teacher cognition and describes the hermeneutic, or methodological, turn in that literature. The second section describes teachers as curriculum agents--that is, as professionals who bring intellectual and moral…

This paper addresses the question of teacher socialization through contrived images, i.e., the influence of advertising as part of an educational and socialization process. It examines ways in which computer advertisements directed towards teachers influence their perceptions of how computers can and should be used, and how the same advertisements…

This paper explores how individuals develop their personal definitions of teaching and learning and how that translates into the classroom. The literature on psychological and educational research suggests that human thinking and communication are profoundly metaphorical in nature. If this is true, metaphors can play a valuable role in revealing,…

The purpose of this paper is to present a direct instructional strategy, which is based upon what is known about effective classroom instruction. After defining direct instruction in reading, research that discriminates effective teachers from less effective teachers is presented. The paper then discusses the five-step, teacher directiveness…

A comprehensive theory of instruction is needed that (1) acknowledges the centrality of communication to instruction; (2) recognizes that instruction involves changes in student knowledge, affect, and behavior; and (3) reflects a systematic orientation to instruction. The literature in diffusion, particularly in the area of the communication of…

The factors that influence the formation and development of teacher perspectives among preservice social studies teachers were studied. Answers were sought to two questions: (1) what linkages exist between the development of teacher perspectives and the experiences provided by university teacher education?; and (2) what role does the individual…

In order for education to evolve from a craft to a profession, a spirit of inquiry must be infused into the beliefs and activities of education faculty members and practicing teachers. For faculty members in professional schools, the responsibilities of teaching, research, and service should be integrated activities for which inquiry serves as the…

This paper describes efforts to develop a social studies methods course based on a foundation of critical theory in education. The literature concerning critical theory is discussed. Critical theory focuses on three areas of educational thought: (1) the relationship of school to society; (2) conceptions of knowledge and curriculum; and (3) the…

"Educators in the professions" is a term covering those who provide educational services to professionals and who engage in the research and development efforts necessary for the understanding and improvement of these specialized educational endeavors. An informal research effort indicated that there are probably 1,500 to 1,750 such educators in…

This study examined the professional role interests and satisfactions of tenure track women and minority faculty (N=146) at a Research I university from three schools on campus: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education. The sample was comprised of 42 white male faculty, 47 minority faculty, and 57 white female faculty. Subjects were interviewed…

Although both the products and processes of technology have provided many means for better and faster learning at a lower cost, technology has not been implemented enough in elementary and secondary schools to make a difference in overall productivity. This is due to a basic contradiction between the organizational structure of today's schools and…

This paper describes how teachers of young children who are also mothers of young children perceived and dealt with problems in their dual role. Three specific questions were addressed: (1) How do teacher/mothers perceive the interaction between the two roles? (2) What positive and negative effects does each of the two roles have on the…

This report is part of a research series on roles of participants in high school change. Investigators administered interview questions to 380 teachers of 18 selected high schools in 9 sites geographically dispersed across the nation. From taped interviews, 54 were chosen for study of teachers' roles in school change, their reactions to change,…

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…