Computational thinking (CT) has great potential for enhancing mathematics and science lessons in K-12 education. Numerous studies demonstrate that under the right circumstances, CT integration in math and science can improve student learning and promote deeper understanding. However, teacher education currently does not include preparation for…

There is an urgent need for primary and secondary students to develop awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and an environmental ethic necessary to undertake environmental issues and problems. The need to adequately prepare teachers to teach about the environment, and the challenges the field of environmental education (EE) faces lead us to the…

This paper describes how an online space has been used as a venue for action research in a teacher education program. The research context is a general methods course on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for elementary and secondary school teacher candidates in a teacher education program. This blended course used an online…

As a result of the new era in science education reform, professional associations in science such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) have developed science standards for grades K-12. This paper describes a model for utilizing the AAAS Project 2061 benchmarks for these standards in a science methods course. The course…

This publication describes a joint program in which K-12 social studies methods students enrolled at Indiana University utilize the facilities of the Northern Indiana Historical Society Museum (NIHSM). The museum has developed two kits--the Indian Kit and the Pioneer Kit--which contain items most representatve of the pioneer and Indian eras of…

As a social studies teacher educator, the author wants her students, as the nation's future teachers, to aspire to engage their students in K-12 classrooms in meaningful civic activity. Toward this end, she has developed several programs for preservice teachers to gain knowledge and the direct experience of civic participation. The Social Issue…

Drawn from a teacher-educator's experience in teaching a basic reading methods course and a Master's course for inservice teachers, this paper provides practical strategies for promoting active involvement, reflection, decision-making, and collaboration among preservice and inservice teachers. The paper first presents syllabi for the methods…

In response to numerous criticisms of technocratic models of social studies curricula this paper describes a critical approach to curriculum design. Major areas of criticism related to knowledge, learning and evaluation, and teaching are explored as they relate to issues of curriculum planning and implementation and a critical approach to…

This handbook is designed to assist staff development leaders in planning and conducting K-12 in-service or pre-service legal education courses based on the "Law In A Free Society" curriculum. The handbook is organized into four sections. Section one contains background information on the "Law In a Free Society" program…

This collection of papers describes efforts of the Westchester Teacher Education Group (WTEG) to incorporate multicultural concepts into teacher preparation courses. Part I gives an overview of the WTEG and the activities of its task force on diversity and the family, in three papers: "The Westchester Teacher Education Group: History and…

This syllabus is designed for a 15-week, advanced level undergraduate course in foreign language teaching methods. Students in this course would have already had coursework in second language teaching and learning, second language acquisition and development, and other methods courses. The syllabus aims to give information about what cooperative…

This collection of papers describes efforts of the Westchester Teacher Education Group (WTEG) to incorporate technology into preservice teacher education curricula. Part I gives an overview of the WTEG and the activities of its task force on technology, in the following three papers: "The Westchester Teacher Education Group: History and…

Contends that, in the last decade, there has been increased respect for teachers' practical theories about teaching and learning. Discusses preservice art teacher education and aspects of reflective teaching. Describes the use of student journals in an art methods course and presents quotes from the journals. (CFR)