Research on pre-service teachers' discussion practices has focused on decompositions of practice into subskills, while acknowledging the importance of the role of context, identity, and relationships between interactive moves. We focused on 66 elementary preservice teachers' (PSTs') framing-launching moves in discussions after problem-solving in a…

This study investigated how pre-service teachers' fractional concepts are related to solving problems involving advanced fractional knowledge. 96 Participants took a written test including three fractions questions about fraction concept, fraction comparison, and multiplicative relationship involving fraction quantities and composite units. The…

This paper describes the use of transactional distance theory (TDT) as a conceptual framework to underpin the design and delivery of a fully online first-year mathematics education methods course to pre-service teachers. It identifies key issues evident in the mathematical literature concerning mathematics education in general and pre-service…

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between student conceptual level and attitudes toward four methods course components: theory, content, method, and experience working with children. Research findings have indicated that a match between student conceptual level and course instructional mode result in significant…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between students' competency in science process skills and their conceptual knowledge of research concepts, methodologies, and applications. Participants were 124 graduate students enrolled in several sections of a required introductory-level course in research methodology. Science…

This study measured the level of implementation of computers and other technologies within teacher education method courses and noted how much computers were being utilized for developing problem solving abilities that could be used in the K-12 classroom curriculum. Surveys of Arkansas teacher educators from colleges affiliated with the National…

A survey instrument was developed to examine preservice teachers' understanding of classroom issues related to exceptional needs and cultural diversity. The instrument was administered to 832 preservice teachers at universities in Alabama, Michigan, Montana, New York, and Washington at 3 levels (beginning, middle, and end of program). Data are…

This study examined how methods courses affected preservice teachers' knowledge of and attitudes toward cooperative learning. Data were gathered utilizing a pre/post course attitude survey, a pre/post class true/false test, postclass interviews, and interviews conducted with subjects during their respective student teaching experiences.…

The Educational Research Department at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg) attempts to go beyond conventional use of a computer laboratory by offering services to further the educational knowledge of its students. Laboratory staff members demonstrate methods needed to accomplish educational tasks for program…

The way in which graduate students in a course in school organization and administration at Washington State University (Pullman) have been guided through conducting original case studies of the administrators and others working in public schools and school districts was studied, as was the impact of these studies on the students. Students were…

To determine the factors that influence interpretation of a research study description, 8 descriptions of research studies were interpreted by 320 undergraduate students in psychology, mathematics, and economics statistics and research methods classes at the University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada), Millersville University (Pennsylvania),…

This study contributes to a growing body of research on the development of elementary teacher's content knowledge of mathematics. Individual clinical interviews were conducted with preservice elementary teachers (N=21) enrolled in a professional development course called "Foundations of Mathematics for Teachers." An instrument that…

The purpose of this publication is to examine five standards of excellence for judging teacher education programs. The paper is organized into five sections with the standards stated as questions and summarized as guidelines. The five questions discussed are: (1) What are the attributes sought in those selected to become teachers? (2) What is the…

Teacher educators have come to appreciate that the teaching of difficult subjects combines knowledge of content and knowledge of generic teaching methods. A study was conducted, therefore, to explore the potential of cases to carry pedagogical content knowledge. A case was developed describing how an expert teacher goes about teaching…

The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective way to prepare teacher candidates to work with English learners and students with disabilities by surveying teacher candidate perceptions regarding their preparation. A forty-item instrument was developed probing teacher candidates? perceptions of their level of preparation for working…