How the social organization of the classroom, including teacher and student roles, patterns of interaction, and norms extended or constrained students' learning opportunities was examined. A total of 6 English, science, and social studies classes in grades 6 and 7 were observed for the first month of the school year; activities in the school were…

Characteristics of graduate teaching were identified, based on interviews with 18 graduate faculty members at the University of North Dakota (UND). Respondents identified the following essential characteristics of graduate education: the faculty member's knowledge of the subject, objectives of graduate-level programs, the teacher's role, graduate…

Environmental robustness is a highly dramatic, tension-producing climate characterizing the school organization; for example, strict discipline in a traditional school. To validate this theoretical construct with teachers, 264 elementary and secondary school teachers completed the Semantic Differential Robustness Scale and the School Survey. The…

This report, prepared by two students, deals with student and teacher reactions to a recently instituted program of flexible scheduling and independent study time at South Hills High School, Covina, California. Questionnaires were distributed to teachers and students during the first and second years of the program. Interpretation of the…

Describes the effects of one community's concept of readiness for school on children in a kindergarten class. Of particular interest was the effect on children's understanding of their roles as students. The concept of readiness provided the framework for instructional activities and helped parents understand their children's roles as students.…

The literature relating to instructional improvement since 1978 is examined. After a review of implications of recent learning theories, it is concluded that theorists agree generally that: learning is enhanced when the student is active rather than passive; learning is improved by practice and feedback; learning is improved when directed toward…

Stipulates that critical thinking requires classroom environments mutually created by social studies students and teachers. Suggests empowerment and cooperative learning become more than buzz words in environments conducive to critical thinking. Provides a list of questions for students and teachers to examine their roles in creating democratic…

For the thirty-sixth year, the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. Papers published in this volume were presented at the annual AECT Convention in Anaheim, California. The Proceedings of AECT's Convention are published in two…

This preliminary case study examined the knowledge and beliefs one seventh grade science teacher to determine: (1) how the teacher's knowledge and beliefs about teaching and learning informed her thinking and actions; (2) what her conception of teaching was; and (3) what were the constraints of the instructional setting. Data was collected from…

This study examined changes in 19 teachers' beliefs across the first 2 years of a professional development program in cognitively guided instruction (CGI). The study involved five teams of mathematics teachers and teacher educators. Teams attended professional development workshops on several occasions. Each team met monthly to discuss their…

The contributors to this book, administrators and faculty from a variety of higher education institutions in North America, reflect on current research and practices in distance higher education, and address specific facets of the distance learner. Following an introduction by Michael G. Moore, eight chapters include the following: (1) Distance…

This interdisciplinary study examined socialization of first and fifth grade elementary school children into the student role. The study focuses on the effects of teachers' socializing communication on childrens' views of norms for classroom life by means of observation and questionnares. Data of several types are analyzed and interrelated:…

Based on Ballack and Davitz's study, "Language of the Classroom: Meanings Communicated in High School Teaching," this study investigated the distinguishing characteristics of the reacting moves used by teachers and pupils. During four consecutive class sessions, 15 New York City high school social studies classes were tape-recorded. Restrictions…

This article unpacks the decision to decharter a successful urban middle school serving African American students, especially focusing on parental choice in a school caught between two urban reform initiatives: charter schooling and state takeovers of urban districts. Originally chartered by a university, DeCharter became a "school of choice" in…

This anthology of selected articles aims to assist teachers of foreign languages develop effective individualized programs. Introductory remarks underscore the importance of changing teacher attitudes toward their relationship with their students as well as individualizing their instruction. The nature of individualized instruction is examined in…