Strategies for teaching couples how to solve their marital problems more effectively is an important part of a social learning or behaviorial approach. Couples need to possess and implement certain problem-solving skills not typically present in the repertoires of distressed couples. (Author)

The study examined the effectiveness of a behavior point system in reducing the frequency of three maladaptive social behaviors (verbal outbursts, interruptions, nonsensical talk) in a severely brain injured male (age 21). All target behaviors declined with introduction of the point system, though nonsensical talk was least responsive to…

When English as a second language teachers reversed traditional roles and became learners of a foreign language (Chinese), analysis of their diary entries revealed that the role reversal made the teachers reconsider the roles of praise, grammar, repetition, revision, and communicative teaching. (CB)

Describes a project that heightens teacher awareness of research on four types of beneficial classroom practices: (1) use of wait time when asking students questions, (2) attention to academic learning time, (3) use of prompting or cuing, and (4) use of reinforcement when questioning students. (SKC)

Parents should realize the importance of being their child's first teacher and should project an attitude of respect in helping children acquire skills while maintaining self-esteem. The five basic tools necessary for teaching children include: nonjudgmental feedback, task analysis, starting with the last step first, prompting, and praise. (JDD)

Presents a study designed to assess children's, pre-adolescents', and adolescents' awareness of the norm of internality and to confirm previous results that showed the importance of school in its acquisition. Concludes that children's development of internality in LOC (locus of control) should be regarded as the acquisition of a norm rather than…

Three severely mentally retarded, multiply handicapped adolescents were treated in a classroom setting for social skill deficits. Treatment focused on increasing eye contact and strengthening on-task and in-seat behaviors. Results suggested that a combination of visual stimuli, operant, and social learning methods can be used to successfully…

This review of cognitive development research in the area of computer-based reading instruction focuses on reinforcement and instructional objectives. Differences between extrinsic and intrinsic reinforcement and motivation are discussed, types of objectives and learner characteristics are described, and implications for instructional design are…

Describes a teaching method that actively involves elementary school children in science lessons by having them teach lessons to their peers. Gives examples of teacher and student strategies. Describes evaluation of the students and student progress with time. Reviews depth of thinking and questioning by students in this activity. (CW)

A 13-year-old deaf-blind boy who exhibited disruptive problem behaviors during mobility training sessions was successfully treated in a program that incorporated contingent reinforcement for reduced rates of responding. A 1-year follow-up assessment revealed continued behavioral improvement. (Author/JDD)

The teaching act has five phases requiring tactics and means for achieving objectives. Nine categories of tactics constitute a framework for organizing the means. This article presents an inservice discussion designed to help preschool teachers understand the functions of strategy categories and thereby improve their teaching and children's…

Classroom observation of 98 fourth-grade boys was coded to examine the relationships among student behaviors exhibited during class instruction, teacher reinforcement of those behaviors, student ability, and achievement. The strongest causal effects were from student ability measures. Accurate responding by students and teacher reinforcement of…

Examines the application of group level behavior modification techniques to a group of ten fifth-and sixth-grade antisocial children, and discusses the success of efforts to increase the incidence of prosocial behavior and decrease nonsocial and antisocial behavior. Describes an assessment procedure for behavioral measurement. (MS)

"R&D Alert" covers issues affecting schools in the Western Regional Educational Laboratory's four-state region--Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah--and throughout the United States. WestEd researchers and assistance providers have been focused on secondary education for many years. This issue of "R&D Alert" goes beyond describing the problem…

A hands-on resource for practitioners, this book provides step-by-step guidance for developing a comprehensive school safety plan. Moving from needs assessment to implementation and evaluation, chapters describe research-based strategies that are readily applicable in K-12 settings. Special features include reproducible checklists and other…