In this article, the author provides information about the Australian education landscape and discusses three articles that focus on innovative laboratory teaching programs. Each of the articles presents a novel laboratory teaching mechanism that has evolved to successfully address a perceived weakness or problem in the laboratory program. It…

Laboratory exercises (labs) are sometimes regarded as dispensable in biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB) education for various reasons including a combination of increased class costs and small budget allocations, pressing demands for more time to lecture to fit in new BMB discoveries within constant time span of courses, and the fact that…

A well-constructed, step-by-step protocol is a critical starting point for teaching undergraduates new techniques, an important record of a lab's standard procedures, and a useful mechanism for sharing techniques between labs. Many research labs use websites to archive and share their protocols for these purposes. Here we describe our experiences…

This paper describes the training of first-year students in technical skills by students in the second year of a laboratory course. The authors conclude that peer teaching is a very useful teaching method for reinforcing technical skills and providing better instructor-student ratios in the laboratory. (Author)

The purposes of this research were to review state standards relating to professional laboratory and field experiences, and to suggest changes which seem warranted in view of the best research and practice available. Both current standards and recommendations are discussed. (MT)

After establishing the assumed legitimacy, in vocational science syllabuses, of practical laboratory work aims relating to the elucidation of theoretical concepts and principles, the author examines the relationship between practical work and the cognitive structure of science theory, particularly in the light of recent skepticism. (Author/CH)

This paper discusses the Ed.D. and the Ph.D. in Education degrees. Both degrees socialize students into a profession based in service, that enjoys autonomy, and that is grounded in a knowledge base. However, the Ed.D. prepares administrators for professional practice through a practical curriculum, and the Ph.D. concentrates on training faculty…

Reviews several specific ways in which office practice simulations can be measured and evaluated, including the salary theory; evaluation of ability to establish priorities and make decisions; evaluation of work produced; and publisher evaluations. (LRA)

In recent years there has been some evidence of a resurgence of interest in experiential groupwork methods such as T-groups among cooperative and community development workers, feminists, and those concerned with heightening sensitivity to social problems. Two adult educators who believed that experiential laboratory methods can enable students to…

The Israeli University system illustrates that when publication becomes of paramount value in teacher training institutions there is not enough time left for faculty to staff the time-consuming laboratory/practicum experiences as they deserve to be staffed. Faculty should publish, but the publish-or-perish model may seriously undermine teacher…

The authors state that organizational development (OD) consultants are reluctant to rely upon instruments because this would diminish their sense of usefulness. They discuss 15 OD issues and conclude that OD instruments must be based on sound principles of behavior and sequenced in a planned way in order to implement organizational change and…

Dissatisfaction with existing preschool teacher training programs, which overemphasize educational theory and neglect practice teaching, led to the development of the preschool teacher training program described in this paper. Initial activities of the program involve group dynamics principles and human relations training to assist students to…

This Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) position paper identifies the curricular areas that should be addressed in a program intended to prepare teachers of children birth through age 8. Outlines preferred knowledge in the following areas: general education, foundations of early childhood education, child development, the…

Discusses the advantages of using content specific problem solving as a vehicle for undergraduate instruction in biology, and describes different software tools used to implement this model. The areas discussed include simulated laboratories, the construction of binary classification schemes using computer programs, and scientific writing using…

A review of educational literature indicates that the term "student teaching" mistakenly has been applied to all professional laboratory experiences for preservice teachers. As a result, these activities have concentrated on the development of practical teaching skills whereas clinical laboratory experiences should encourage inquiry and…