This study, situated within the fields of English education and writing teacher education, illustrates not only "what" is happening in writing methods courses but why in its examination of writing methods courses and instructor influences. The writing methods course is identified by English educators and writing teacher educators as…

In this study, a group of teacher educators converse about their teaching practice in light of a new provincial K-12 program of social studies. The most noteworthy feature of this new program is its explicit call for teachers to include Aboriginal and Francophone perspectives as they teach to the program's two central themes of…

Eastern Kentucky University's secondary teacher education program revised a general methods course and content specific methods courses to increase student teachers' effectiveness. Curricular change included more emphasis on classroom management, professional development, and instructional technology. Participant surveys investigated whether the…

In this article we present a model of content-area specific technology preparation. This approach was premised on the fact that even if preservice teachers know how to operate technology, they need help to understand how to flexibly incorporate new technology resources into their knowledge of a content area in ways that enhance student learning.…

This case study examined how four university faculty members experienced the process of collaboratively planning and teaching university methods courses to match the needs of their Professional Development School context. Interview data highlighted four themes as integral to their collective story: learning how to create a participative culture,…

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 paper addresses three questions: (1) What key citizenship characteristics are essential for today's highly diverse, complex classrooms? (2) What should be the content of a course that would teach these traits? and (3) What pedagogical strategies could be employed to enhance the delivery of that content and to measure for the desired results?…

Describes the project called "U2U," a collaboration among the University of Minnesota School of Music, The University of Minnesota dance department, and two urban public school districts in Minneapolis-St. Paul (Minnesota). Presents strategies for collaboratively developing an interdisciplinary curriculum around William Walton's "Facade." Includes…

This document details the development and implementation of a course for teacher education in Poland. The course, "The School in Democratic Society," was prepared between September 1992 and December 1993 as a cooperative effort between the Polish Ministry of National Education and the Citizenship Development for a Global Age Program of…

A comparative study that accesses the environmental knowledge of in-service classroom teachers (n=166) enrolled in the certification program at Yarmouk indicates the need for coursework in environmental sciences and environmental education. Recommends the integration of an environmental dimension into the general methodology course and subject…

This paper reviews several definitions and descriptions of the term knowledge base, identifies potential sources, and offers a guide for teacher education faculty who are considering the need to undergird their programs with appropriate knowledge bases. Questions such as how to begin the process of building a knowledge base, the steps involved,…

One component of the "Master Curriculum Guide in Economics for the Nation's Schools," this guide demonstrates, through sample lessons, how the conceptual structure of economics, presented in part 1 of the series, can be taught in the K-12 curricula. The guide is designed to accelerate economics instruction at all grade levels, including the…

Discusses the need for holistic curriculum development and reflective teaching, examining five persistent myths related to teacher education and noting strategies for refuting them. Challenges excuses for maintaining the status quo in education (lecturing and testing as the normal mode), viewing learning as an interactive process. (SM)

Describes the experiences of two faculty members at two different universities who attempted to restructure the typical "mainstreaming" course for regular educators from one that provides an overview of various disabilities to one that provides strategies that build on holistic, authentic instructional approaches and adaptations appropriate for…

Evaluated a restructured literacy methods course intended to empower teachers to teach linguistically diverse students, examining the impact of the course redesign and team teaching. Data from observations of student teachers and focus group interviews indicated that participants felt well-prepared to teach second language learners, though they…