a) A Comparison Of Teacher And Student Perceptions Of Classroom Interactions: A Catalyst For Change. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association

This study compared science students ' perceptions of their teacher-stun ent interacLicas wiz.11 thoc of their teachers. A sample of 3,515 students from 164 secondary school science claSses in 35 Australian schools completed the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI), which gathered data on perceptions of teachers ' and students ' interpersonal communication patterns. The study found differences between the perceptions of teachers and their students. For example, the teachers thought they demonstrated more leadership and helping/friendly behavior than did their students. Differences in teacher actual and ideal perceptions were apparent and suggested that teachers perceived the ideal teacher as being more positive than they currently were. These differences served as a useful and practical catalyst for reflection on teaching practice and may assist in improving the enjoyment and achievement of students in science classes. (Contains 28 references.) (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. M