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…

Preservice teachers have difficulty incorporating research-based instructional strategies and often revert to those observed during their own school years. This study describes how preservice teachers used a framework of planning, implementation, feedback, and reflection to try research-based teaching practices from their methods courses and…

Reviews a number of books for language arts methods course instructors that address a tension between their professional obligation to represent a broad range of theoretical issues current in the field and their students' urgent desire for practical skills and information that will help them get an English class up and running. (TB)

This keynote address argues that in order for baccalaureate and masters degree students to apply research to make better judgments and decisions in their life-affecting practice and in response to the information revolution, the helping professions need to redesign (from the bottom up) not overhaul (make a few changes in) the way research methods…

Offers some insights on how to maximize the research methods course, such that students will take from the course a meaningful learning experience as opposed to a short-term exercise on memorizing terms and, ideally, administrators who review the course will recognize communication as an academic discipline rich in theory and methodology. (SG)

This paper discusses "Doing Theory in the Methods Class: Focused Reflection," a chapter from the book "Whole Language Voices in Teacher Education" edited by Kathryn F. Whitmore and Yetta Goodman. The book chapter focuses on guided classroom reflection as a key element in the education of preservice teachers, exploring whether…

Northeast Louisiana University's Professional Semester began in 1976 to respond to a need for more practical application of what was taught in the required methods courses of the elementary education degree program. It was designed to avoid duplication of generic activities and to let students apply theory and teaching techniques in the classroom.…

This paper describes efforts to develop a social studies methods course based on a foundation of critical theory in education. The literature concerning critical theory is discussed. Critical theory focuses on three areas of educational thought: (1) the relationship of school to society; (2) conceptions of knowledge and curriculum; and (3) the…

This article describes an effort to employ cooperative team learning (CTL), specifically the Jigsaw technique, as a vehicle for helping prospective middle school teachers enrolled in a social studies methods course translate theory into practice. Recommendations are made for broader implementation of CTL in middle school teacher education…

Results from a study of elementary student teachers (N=79) indicate that these student teachers only variably employed instructional strategies emphasized in university methods courses. Possible explanations for this behavior are considered, and implications for preservice teacher education are discussed. (IAH)

This article describes the design, development, and outcomes of a curriculum module entitled, "The Teaching Biography of (Student Name)." This student-centered methods-practicum course was designed to foster reflection and individual and group inquiry into both the ends and means of education. (IAH)

Surveys elementary reading educators to discover their preferred theoretical perspective and the instructional strategies used by them to teach reading methods courses. Finds that reading faculty who reported a whole-language preference also reported using more teaching strategies that increased learner involvement. (SR)

Recounts a personal journey--an effort to achieve balance and congruence in a master's level language arts course. Wrestles with theoretical and practical issues as the author gradually turned over much control of the curriculum to his graduate students. Delves into some thorny issues: student assessment, maintaining rigor and accountability, and…

Describes the study of a site-based, 6-credit hour, integrated course in reading and language arts methods designed to tie theory and practice for university students in a Professional Development School (PDS). Demonstrates that the collaboratively taught course had a positive impact upon involved teachers, university students, children in the…

Complaints have been made that in teacher preparation programs foundations courses are practically irrelevant and methods courses intellectually unchallenging. Prospective teachers should understand that an extensive grounding in the psychological, historical and sociological foundations of education prepares them to make effective decisions on…