This phenomenological study explored best practices to increase preservice teacher self-efficacy before the student teaching semester. The research was guided by this central inquiry and three sub-questions. Using a pre- and post-phenomenon survey instrument as well as an initial questionnaire and a final reflection, preservice teachers who were…

The reasons elementary teachers choose not to use technology are many and varied. One commonly cited reason is that preservice programs are struggling to adequately prepare future teachers (e.g., Brown & Warschauer, 2006). This article describes the efforts of one department of education to integrate more technology instruction. Although some…

Framed by occupational socialization theory (Lawson, 1986), the purpose of this research was to examine perspectives of one university faculty member, eleven pre-service teachers and two cooperating teachers while enacting two clinically rich methods courses in a physical education teacher education program. We analyzed the data (researcher notes,…

This article introduces the Instructional Field Observation Rounds Model (INFORM), drawn from the medical profession where resident interns make rounds with experienced physicians, as an alternative approach for conducting classroom observations in pre-service teacher education methods courses. INFORM centers on structured group observations in…

The author shares the challenges faced in her social studies methods class due to the constraints of NCLB. By incorporating the jackdaw kit project within her social studies methods course, her candidates were able to connect what they were talking about in methods and apply it to their students teaching situations where there was little time for…

This study describes the influence of a secondary science methods program on secondary science preservice teachers' views and enactment of nature of science and inquiry-based instructional practices. Built into the structure of this program were three cycles of practice teaching and reflection in which the preservice teachers focused on key…

With decreasing enrollments in student teaching programs and the increasing need for more responsive education, it has become imperative that the choosing of cooperating teachers be more selective and that all concerned--university supervisors of student teachers, cooperating teachers, teachers of methods classes in the college of education, and…

TWENTY-FIVE JUNIOR EDUCATION MAJORS PARTICIPATED IN A ONE-SCHOOL PROJECT TO IDENTIFY, UTILIZE, AND EVALUATE NEW METHODS, MEDIA, AND TECHNIQUES OF TEACHER EDUCATION. THE 17-WEEK PROGRAM CONSISTED OF STUDENT TEACHING AND OBSERVATION 3 DAYS A WEEK (AND ALL OF WEEKS 13-16), AND 2 DAYS OF PROFESSIONAL CONTENT COURSES (CURRICULUM, LANGUAGE ARTS, AND…

Address presented at the College of Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, during the autumn of 1971. (DS)

A secondary science teacher education program at University of Iowa is outlined. The three required methods courses and the student teaching component are described, as well as supervision of preservice teachers by cooperating teachers and university faculty. (IAH)

The focus of this study was to analyze the learning benefits accrued by the experienced teacher from supervising a secondary social studies student teacher. Teachers in the Puget Sound region of the state of Washington were surveyed. They were asked to respond to questions to determine how well participating in the supervision of the student…

Key features of an intensive one-semester clinical program for preservice teachers are: (1) concurrent methods courses and fieldwork (student teaching); (2) dual roles (instructor and fieldwork supervisor) for core faculty; (3) teaming of core faculty; (4) peer group support--because students are placed in clusters of 3-10 at a school. (IAH)

Teacher education students placed in clinical settings for methods coursework need adequate guidance in order to make the most of their experiences. Guidance in terms of teaching, reflections, clinical settings, and other related activities offers these candidates a realistic view of teacher, teaching, and learning. Oftentimes, the clinical…

Thirty-six students enrolled in an elementary science methods course were randomly selected and given an instrument using Osgood's semantic differential approach the first week of class, the sixth week on campus prior to field experiences, and the thirteenth week following field experiences. The elementary teachers who had observed the university…