Describes how hypermedia technology is being used in content methods courses in Vanderbilt University's elementary teacher education program to achieve improvements in preservice teacher education. Evaluation data indicate that use of video examples in the mathematics methods courses influenced the way preservice teachers taught mathematics.…

This paper addresses the issue of incorporating creative thinking and problem solving techniques into an established teacher education methods course for prospective preschool teachers. The project's goals were (1) to increase students' knowledge and understanding of the value of creative thinking skills; (2) to provide group exercises using the…

A review of studies on early field experiences centers on John Dewey's belief that pre-practice teaching laboratory experiences should foster reflective criticism of educational purposes and instructional methods and result in more effective student teaching experiences. Current studies have indicated that early field experiences, by focusing on…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of self-efficacy preservice teachers developed as a result of participating in field experiences, types of field experiences that were the most beneficial for the professional development of the preservice teachers, and the degree to which pre-stated outcomes were addressed by the field…

A social studies elementary teacher education program at Phillips Institute of Technology in Australia is described. The program, which places students in charge of teaching a 9-week social studies unit, is recommended as an alternative to the conventional lecture method. The paper is divided into discussion of five aspects of the course:…

A study was conducted to determine how prepared recent vocational teacher education graduates consider themselves to be in teaching eight groups of exceptional students in regular vocational education classes. The 2,091 participants were 1981 graduates of vocational teacher education programs in 29 states. About 52 percent of these teacher…

The educational reform movement, with its heavy emphasis on restructuring and collaboration, has brought into the open a serious credibility gap between teachers and the role that schools of education and the education professorate have played in educational development and leadership. Many teachers believe that professors do not understand, or…

A study examined the structure and organization of teaching practice in primary Teachers Training Colleges (TTCs) in the People's Republic of the Congo. Data were collected from Ministry of National Education documents, interviews with primary school inspectors and principals, and questionnaires filled out by teacher educators, student teachers,…