The aim of this paper is to explore the demand side of the market for educational research. That is, what types of educational research do teachers find useful for advancing their instructional practice and under what conditions do they access the research currently available? Although teachers have mixed opinions--both positive and negative--of…

Increasingly, teachers--but also parents and politicians--voice dissatisfaction with the divide they experience between research and practice and the resulting minimal impact of teacher education (Ashton, 1996; Barone, Berliner, Blanchard, Casanova, & McGowan, 1996). The problem seems to be perennial. More than a century ago, John Dewey pointed…

In reaction to presentations at the Airlie House Conference on the Implications of Research on Teaching for Practice, two papers (by O. Smith and N. L. Gage, respectively) discuss how far research on teaching has come as a field, while a third (by G. D. Fenstermacher) explains how implications of research on teaching can be used. (MP)

Teachers rarely use research results to improve their instructional practice or their professional knowledge. In a recent survey, teachers requested practical research results which they could use in their own classrooms. Teachers also requested that research results be presented in a manner in which they could be easily understood. (JN)

This article reviews how tutoring systems have been applied across specialized subject areas (e.g., music, horticulture, health and safety, social interactions). It summarizes findings, provides an analysis of skills learned within each tutoring system, identifies the respective methodologies, and reports relevant findings, implications, and…

In view of the concerns for making connections between research and practice, improving art teaching, and refocusing and teaming in research, a new strategy for research and practice is in order. We need to move from practice to research, as well as from the traditional direction of research to practice. (Author)

A study examined the research base for public speaking instruction. Persuasive speaking, informative speaking, and audience analysis and adaptation in five introductory public speaking textbooks were examined. Four of the texts were selected because they have survived in the marketplace through multiple editions; the fifth book was selected…

Urges that research in elementary music education focus on discovering better ways of teaching and learning music and that findings be incorporated into the curriculum. Suggests questions for research, including when should abstractions be taught? what aspects of singing can be taught? and do all children listen similarly? Recommends replication…

The increased interest in reading comprehension by researchers in fields other than reading education is noted in this paper. In addition, the concerns of the new researchers in reading are described, some of the terms they are using are explained, and the implications of their findings for reading instruction are explored. The interests of…

Although there is a small body of research on effective teaching techniques, questions to be answered include those concerning criteria of effective teaching, reliability of current measures, and the possibility of developing an enlightened policy for evaluating teaching. (MSE)

An overview of areas of classroom research explored in the past decade provides a foundation for discussing major conclusions which appear to emerge from recent research findings. The solid demonstration that teachers make a difference in student learning is cited as the chief contribution of classroom research in the 1970s. An example of research…

Serious criticisms of research in information and communications technology (ICT) in education have been published recently in both the UK and the USA. This paper addresses several issues raised in these commentaries: a lack of sound theoretical underpinnings to our research, persistent neglect of the history of our sub-discipline, the choice of…

Four approaches to examining learning styles of college students are reviewed, and the use of information about learning style in the classroom, student affairs, and in the overall college work setting is addressed. Areas where additional research is needed are identified, along with steps that colleges can take to enhance the learning process.…

This report on research studies was compiled in an attempt to analyze, summarize, and disseminate information on the current status of research and development activities in vocational, technical, and pratical arts education. In the five-state Upper Midwest Region (Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin) a priority list of mutual,…

One of the changes advocated by the Regular Education Initiative (REI) is the placement of all students with disabilities in regular education classes. This paper analyzes this REI proposal and discusses four objections, with citations to relevant literature: (1) restriction of the continuum of services, which may result in students being put…