A primary goal of teacher education programs is to equip teacher candidates with the necessary skills to navigate the social and cultural realities and complexities of the classroom while seamlessly integrating theory and practice. As our classrooms become more socially, economically, and culturally diverse it is important for teachers to evolve…

A significant amount of research supports the value of learning outside the classroom for creating effective learning opportunities, and for the social, cultural and emotional benefits it presents. Although there is a movement in place in the United Kingdom to integrate learning outside the classroom into classroom practice, many pre-service…

Teacher education in universities is under pressure. In many new education policies there is a renewed focus on teacher quality, and therefore quality initial teacher education. In some countries this renewed focus has led to a resurgence of "alternative approaches" to teacher education such as Teach for America / Australia. One of the…

In June 2003 one hundred and eighty-six graduates from the United Kingdom (UK) Russell Group universities joined the Teach First (TF) programme which was to have a significant impact on Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in England, Europe and across the globe. This article describes the origins of the programme, provides a summary of evaluations and…

Emphasizes the need for careful deliberation about teacher learning for both inservice and preservice teachers. Argues that without consideration of on-going teacher development, reflective practice cannot be expected to exist in schools. (GLR)

A description is given of a model teacher preparation program under development at Memphis State University, Memphis, Tennessee. The model emphasizes more intensive preparation of prospective teachers in their teaching content fields, demonstrable accountability for both knowledge and skill acquisition in the various areas of professional…

In this discussion of reform and improvement in teacher education, the feasibility of developing a scientist-practitioner model for teacher education programs is considered. This model advocates the development of research skills through a programmatic focus on research, with the application of these skills to practice. It is pointed out that the…

The Mentor Teacher Project, initiated in 1985, involved the development and implementation of a new field component into the Academic Learning Teacher Education Program at Michigan State University. The field component, piloted with the Academic Learning students in the class of 1987, was subsequently revised and its impact on the class of 1988…

After assessing its programs and teacher education research, it was decided by the Peabody College of Vanderbilt University that the ultimate goal of the programs would be to develop teachers who would be problem solvers who were able to assess each unique classroom situation and select from alternative strategies the strategy that is the…

The primary problem of teacher education is seen as a developmental issue. A justification of a reflective inquiry in teacher education is presented emphasizing its benefits for teacher empowerment. A brief synopsis of an attempt to implement these ideas in a foundational course in educational psychology is offered. (JD)

The professional development school (PDS) has its roots in efforts to professionalize the teaching profession and in the concept that schools of education must reshape themselves as professional schools. This article outlines the concepts which have spawned and guided PDS implementation and discusses the realities faced by PDS planners and…

This paper reviews research on teaching practicums and describes research-based efforts of the University of Waikato in New Zealand to make the practicum component more effective. Changes in the practicum component being implemented include clarifying the relationship between theory and practice; improving the communication among schools,…

In a discussion of the practicum experience for student teachers, it is noted that while the experience of 50 days of teaching practice has a powerful impact on student teachers, its potential learning value is not realized. There is little opportunity for student teachers to experience the more extended role that teachers are expected to develop.…

This paper reports program changes in the junior year internship that were made to bring practice closer to the theoretical goals of the Catholic University of America's teacher education program in Washington, D.C. The changes had the goal of increasing the quality and scope of education students' thinking about education, and they involved…

A study investigated the effectiveness of improvements in a Singapore graduate training program for elementary school teachers of English as a Second Language. Program changes focused on providing appropriate, constructive feedback to trainees about their teaching practice and developing trainees' skills of critical reflection. The report…