This book presents a range of possibilities and starting points for--and conversations about--meaningful journeys related to the exploration of visual arts content and the engagement of learning. The authors highlight and blend theoretical, practical, and flexible approaches to integrating curriculum inquiry and curriculum design. "Curriculum…

When defending educational foundations, Isabel Nunez and Pamela Konkol sometimes find themselves responding to the question of "why?"-often phrased, "But WHYYYYY do we have to take a class on this stuff??? (We want to take more methods!)." As distressing as this can be for teacher educators whose own work reveals rather a…

The authors describe a model graduate reading program designed for potential reading specialists. The model suggests that teaching educational philosophy, psychology, sociology, and physiology precede the teaching of reading methodology, thereby first developing a theoretical foundation. (KC)

The materials developed by teachers in England for the Mathematics Teacher Education Project (MTEP) draw on such disciplines as philosophy, educational psychology, sociology, history, and curriculum studies. In the attempt to provide a coherent, well-rounded mathematics methods course for prospective teachers, MTEP can encourage interdisciplinary…

Responds to commentaries about the author's article "Teaching about Validity." Links these commentaries and the original article to suggestions for curriculum design in teaching about qualitative research methods. Discusses the idea of "meaning making" as a possible way to integrate the approaches described in the commentaries and original…

A study determined that an interdisciplinary social studies and science methods course favorably influences the curriculum constructs of elementary teacher education students when it is designed for deep personal meaning rather than surface skill acquisition. (JN)

This paper summarizes a 4-month-long preparation process to implement an innovative English-as-a-Second-Language workplace program (ESLWP) at a large university with a sizable non-English speaking workforce in the United States. There is also a proposed plan of action for implementing a program guided by constructivist views of teaching and…

Comments on Reba Page's use of the author's work, known as the Brad trilogy, in a lesson on validity in interpretive research methods. Wolcott prefers involving students more immediately with field work than in Page's approach. Discusses his intentions in writing the Brad trilogy and the questions it has raised. (DSK)

Describes a team approach to secondary methods developed and implemented at the University of Oklahoma. The course coordinates expertise from education and language arts, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences in the training of secondary teachers. Student evaluation of the course is highly supportive. (Author/JAC)

This study examined how electronic mail (e-mail) affected communication and learning among student teachers and between students and instructors, comparing e-mail with more traditional communications. Surveys, interviews, and e-mail messages indicated that e-mail helped students meet course requirements and maintain student-instructor contacts.…

This project was designed to develop a model for teaching general music methods for elementary/early childhood education majors using musics of diverse cultures as discrete and infused entities, integrated across the curriculum. The proposed model's primary goal was to develop student awareness of sources of culturally diverse music and related…

This study was designed to develop an instrument that would measure preservice teachers' belief efficacy in teaching environmental education (EE). This belief efficacy includes a person's perception of ability to perform the behavior (self-efficacy) and a person's expectation that a specific behavior will result in desirable outcomes (outcome…

An experiment in English-as-a-Second-Language pedagogy in a South African university's teacher education program looked at the effects of students' participation in construction of the course syllabus. Results are discussed from three perspectives: learning theory; the culture of learning; and cognitive style. The metaphor of mental…

On the basis of a belief in the legitimacy of alternative learning styles, the importance of intercultural broadening, and the global nature of international education, the Department of Secondary Education and Foundations at Eastern Illinois University developed a new course, called "Diversity of Schools and Societies." Course…

This case study describes the development of elementary social studies methods courses appropriate for two new alternative Michigan State University teacher education programs entitled "Learning Community" and "Multiple Perspectives." The "Learning Community" program prepares teachers to teach school subjects effectively while focusing upon the…