The process of effective teaching--teaching that directly leads to student learning of standards-based content--is tenuous at best and easily disrupted by contextual and behavioral factors. In this commentary, I discuss the role of student support and mediation in teacher effectiveness and curricular reform. The most vocal students in physical…

As curriculum scholars in South Africa express concerns about the failures of the outcomes-based curriculum policy that has been introduced post-apartheid it is of increased importance to try and understand the professional development that is required by teachers for its successful implementation. As a contribution to the development of such…

Across the globe many nations have found engaging young people in the post compulsory years of school to ensure their transition into economic citizens is challenging. Governments are focusing on developing initiatives and programs to connect young people in education and training as preparation for the workplace. In Australia the use of Applied…

In this article, the authors provide an argument for future directions for teacher education, based on a re-conceptualization of teaching. The authors argue that teacher educators need to attend to the clinical aspects of practice and experiment with how best to help novices develop skilled practice. Taking clinical practice seriously will require…

In this response to Kevin St. Jarre's article "Reinventing Social Studies", the author agrees with St. Jarre that the social studies curriculum needs to change. However, he stresses that the improvement process will not be easy. Creating university social science and social studies courses that would prepare secondary teachers with the knowledge…

Suggests that the physics that students find interesting and absorbing is not necessarily that which curriculum planners think it ought to be. Finds that what is crucial is thorough preparation, equipment that works, and the support of a skilled laboratory technician. (Author/CCM)

This article explores the impact of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) on the behavior of teachers and school leaders, specifically the centralizing, standardizing tendencies of the legislation, and juxtaposes their reactions to the types of teaching and leadership required to lead 21st-century schools. The authors argue that the isomorphic…

In the essay, "The logic of convergence and uniformity in teacher production", Loomis et al. advocate that teachers are experiencing a shift from individualistic programs that prepare them toward uniform, common teacher preparation resulting from top-down agenda-setting and mandated regulations. In their theoretical stance, the knowledge…

Explores the knowledge teachers will need to have in the future and considers the implications of new requirements for teaching and teacher education. Advances several propositions for changes in the perception of pedagogical knowledge, school curricula, and school structure and proposes a strategy of "core" and "periphery" aspects of…

In this article, the authors reply to the arguments of Professors Nagel and Ladwig on the article "The logic of convergence and uniformity in teacher production". Professor Ladwig's review of their article is particularly valuable in two respects. First, it highlights the need for an institutional level of analysis to explain fully and…

Discusses some crucial issues raised by the proposed national teacher-education curriculum in Great Britain. Considers what knowledge and understanding of science and science education teachers of primary and secondary science need upon entry to, and exit from, a teacher education program. (DDR)

The current movement in spirituality is extending into both K-12 and higher education. There is discussion at both levels of the need for the spiritual (not religion) to be a recognized part of the curriculum, to enable individuals to find personal meaning in the curriculum. This essay explores two themes--first, the importance of educators having…

Describes how one group of students undertook a project requiring them to develop assignments and teaching materials for GNVQ science. (DDR)

Asserts that history departments in undergraduate programs should train secondary social studies teachers. Asserts that history professors are content experts and previously may have been successful secondary teachers, willing to experiment with teaching methods. Discusses how history departments can train secondary social studies teachers. (CMK)

Describes the development and implementation of a laboratory-based professional development program for high school chemistry teachers. Demonstrates how chemistry can be taught with simple, readily available materials. (DDR)