Examines graduate and undergraduate music majors' ability to detect pitch and rhythm errors in various settings of textually contrasting musical excerpts. Students listened to intentionally marred excerpts and attempted to identify the errors. Analysis of variance revealed that the predictor variables did not function independently of each other.…

Revises an earlier experiment that revealed age-related increases in sensitivity to rhythmic information when judging the difference between a theme and selected pitch and rhythm variations. Tested the possibility that the developmental differences found earlier were due to characteristics of the test melody. Results supported the earlier study.…

Presents the results of a study where musicians listened to 20 minutes of Puccini's, "La Boheme," and indicated which of the five musical elements (melody, rhythm, timbre, dynamics, or everything) commanded their attention. Two groups responded using differing instructions for the Continuous Response Digital Interface. Analyzes the different…

Describes the development of computer-assisted instructional software designed to supply future teachers with a repertoire of songs and related music concepts for classroom use. Tests the efficacy of the software at two preservice teacher education programs. Students in both programs thought the software served their needs. (MJP)

Surveys 101 wind instrumentalists to reveal major differences in the pattern of influences leading to the re-creative skill of performing a repertoire of rehearsed music for a formal examination compared to the creative ability of improvising. Uses a path analysis to determine links between the data and theoretical model. (MJP)

Identifies those women mentioned most frequently in general U.S. music education history books and examines the contexts in which the books discussed their work. Surveys individuals interested in music education history to determine name recognition of these women and opinions regarding the importance of their contributions. (MJP)

Summarizes several citation analyses of articles appearing in the "Journal of Research in Music Education,""Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education," and "The Journal of Music Therapy." Identifies the most productive scholars, researchers, and universities. Investigates retrievability of related work by specialists outside the…

Develops an initial theory of teachers' conceptions of classroom discussion using in-depth interviews and grounded theory's constant-comparative technique. Identifies six generally held conceptions of discussion and five factors that influenced teachers' use of discussion. Examines implications for teachers, teacher educators, and researchers…

Argues that textile arts, often created by women, provide a valuable, but frequently overlooked, resource for learning about a culture. Describes an effort to learn about Hmong culture and history through a study of textile arts and to teach preservice teachers in a social studies methods course about this culture. (DSK)

Relates a personal history of events leading to the establishment of the College and University Faculty Assembly and its journal "Theory and Research in Social Education." Details the tensions and obstacles encountered in the creation of a college-level faculty group and a professional journal. (DSK)

Argues that understanding teachers' conceptions of discussion is a neglected and important issue. Reviews new insights from literacy research on text discussion; suggests how that literature provides a broader context for understanding social studies teachers' conceptions of classroom talk. Reflects on the relationship of open-forum discussion to…

Considers issues related to teachers' conceptions, the nature of classroom discussion, and future research on these topics. Addresses the role of discussion as a method of instruction and a goal of instruction. Argues that classroom discussion promotes civic competence and integration of knowledge and skills across disciplines. (DSK)

Discusses 25 years of attempts to define social studies and to research social studies education. Argues that a definition that denies teachers' diverse experiences and instructional methods is dysfunctional and that research has advanced little. Calls for a reexamination of the research enterprise itself and of graduate training in education.…

Argues that, without changes in methods of teaching social studies, curriculum reform can only provide an illusion of educational change. Observes that little has been published in 25 years of "Theory and Research in Social Education" on methods. Discusses three historical meanings that "method" has had since the 1880s. (DSK)

Argues that, with the increasing diversity of the U.S. population, education needs to respond by figuring out a meaningful way to embrace values of civic unity and cultural diversity at the same time. Discusses problems encountered in addressing diversity within civic education and means to bridge the gap. (DSK)