The first-grade classroom was like a natural history museum. Bird nests of every shape and size lay on top of bookshelves that lined two walls. Methods students, who were visiting the classroom in preparation for the science lessons they would teach there, were immediately inspired by the collection. They used the collection as a springboard for…

A study of a junior-level grammar class for preservice teachers was conducted by an observer at Miami University of Ohio to determine the effectiveness of a Socratic teaching style that allowed the teacher to do most of the talking. Students in the class also participated in the observation; they were interviewed regularly by the graduate student.…

Maxims derived from recent theory in learning and instruction and from reflection on excellent practice can be applied to teacher education, not only to improve the training of prospective teachers, but also to improve their ability to teach others. Especially useful are examples from Reading Recovery, a successful literacy training program. Some…

The objective of an early field experience program is to force students to confront their assumptions on teaching. The experience, coupled with activities and readings in the university classroom, is designed to make students reconsider a variety of issues--what it means to learn something, the intellectual capabilities of children, the role of…

The purpose of this project was to produce a videotape of outstanding cooperating teachers and to use the tape to demonstrate effective methods for maintaining classroom discipline to student teachers. A set of six criteria for effective teaching was defined in terms of student behavior and the criteria were used to select seven teachers, five…

Classroom observation assignments for preservice teachers allow them to observe detailed relationships among classroom space and teacher student interaction. Through structured observation, preservice teachers become aware of classroom interactions in a vivid and instructive manner. (CJ)

Describes the design and preliminary evaluation of an interactive multimedia CD-ROM based on problem-based learning principles to help preservice teachers integrate technology into their teaching. Discusses experiences at the University of Southern Queensland that also used interactive television to allow student to observe experienced teachers at…

Examines the use of modeling techniques in a methods course to help prepare prospective English teachers, focusing on: demonstrations and explicit instruction, use of class assignments and explicit modeling, and ongoing modeling and reflective analysis. Each section contains a description of instruction and a description of student and instructor…

To provide preservice teachers with exposure to a diverse set of observation experiences, a three-year Iowa State University project will beam live television broadcasts from school classrooms to the university. The process will allow small groups and whole classes of preservice teachers to unobtrusively observe and discuss classroom events as…

Placing education majors in field-based experiences before student teaching has become a common practice in teacher preparation. Two introductory education courses offered at Northwest Missouri State University were designed to provide education majors with classroom experiences early in their program of study. The courses, Observation and…

Comparative research was conducted on two preservice teacher education field experience programs. The "Tutoring Program" was designed to place participants in active teaching roles by having them prepare remedial lessons and tutor pupils. The "Teacher Apprentice Program" was designed to expose participants to a full range of teaching…

Live microwave broadcasts from two special education and six regular elementary classrooms are disseminated nationally via satellite, providing a special observation laboratory experience available to teacher preparation institutions. Observation theory is merged with effective teaching research in an instructional model that has demonstrated…

Most criticism of teacher preparation programs has been leveled at schools, departments, and colleges of education. However, a case study at one university indicates that faculty in the School of Arts and Sciences deliver 61 percent of the credits in a typical elementary education program, and 74 percent in the secondary program. Because most of…

Clinical feedback is a planned process of exploring collected data through nonjudgemental observation. Two programs are described which reflect faculty judgement that student teachers need training in systematic observation and analysis of the stimulus-response characteristics of teaching and learning. (JN)

Describes how pre-service teachers at one elementary school participate in Grand Rounds (borrowed from the medical profession). Participants observe master teachers demonstrating model lessons and interacting with students. During a debriefing session, student teachers ask questions and discuss their observations with master teachers. Later, they…