In this study, I conducted three separate, but interrelated studies that examine the ways preservice teachers (PSTs) generatively developed youth-centered, equity-oriented pedagogical imaginaries in their methods courses and how they enacted these practice(s) in their field experiences. The purpose of this dissertation is to understand how and in…

This study examined the influence of a professional development program based around commercially available inquiry science curricula on the teaching practices of 27 beginning elementary school teachers and their teacher mentors over a 2 year period. A quantitative rubric used to score inquiry elements and use of data in videotaped lessons…

Thirty preservice teachers enrolled in a field-based science methods course were placed at a public elementary school for coursework and for teaching practice with elementary students. Candidates focused on building conceptual understanding of science content and pedagogical methods through innovative curriculum development and other course…

This qualitative study examines the transition of eight elementary preservice teachers into student teaching after participating in a science methods course that included a significant amount of teaching after-school science to elementary grade students. These eight participants had a chance to practice teaching inquiry-based science and to reform…

This mixed-method, dual-phase, embedded-case study employed the Social Cognitive Theory and the construct of self-efficacy to examine the contributors to science teaching self-efficacy and science teaching practices across different levels of efficacy in six pre-service elementary teachers during their science methods course and student teaching…

Dispositions supporting the teaching of science as structured inquiry by four elementary candidates are presented. Candidates were studied during student teaching based on their positive attitudes toward teaching science with reform-based materials in their methods course. Personal learning histories informed their attitudes, values, and beliefs…

Presents the procedures, findings, and conclusions of a study designed to determine the relationship between (1) achievement of specific teaching competencies, (2) change in attitude and the type of treatment such as type of practice, grade level, and feedback. Subjects were 31 pre-service students enrolled in the science methods course in…

The impact of feedback and the effect of practice with either children or with peers on student teacher's attainment of specific teaching competencies were examined. The specific competencies were identified as maintaining teacher-pupil interaction, developing teacher-pupil repport, pacing the lesson, clarity of presentation, and the use of…

Teachers required to use an Elementary Science Study (ESS) unit during student teaching tended to use more of the techniques advocated by ESS in their own classes one year later than did teachers allowed to plan their own approach during student teaching. (AL)

Analyzes science teaching on the basis of results of an assessment instrument which was administered to 283 preservice elementary teachers immediately following their teaching experience. Indicates that the brightest hope for the future is greatly dependent upon implementation of teacher education in colleges or universities. (CC)

A study was done to determine if there are advantages in teaching a science methods course in conjunction with field experience. Results showed that taking the science methods course with the field experience did not help education majors to understand science processes. (JN)

Cohorts and expanded field experiences are two structures intended to promote reflective thinking in preservice teacher education programs. In this paper, two science methods classes are compared. One class had expanded field experiences and was organized as a cohort. The second was a more traditionally structured class that was not in a cohort…

This publication presents a six-year project (1972-78) funded by the National Science Foundation under the Undergraduate Pre-service Teacher Education Program (UPSTEP). The first three years of the project (Phase I) were concerned with a longitudinal study of a pilot group of prospective elementary teachers as they encountered science content and…

Describes an activity used in the science methods class at the University of Wisconsin to bring preservice elementary teachers into appropriate contact with children and to give them the opportunity to try out a variety of materials and activities from the newer elementary science curricula. (JR)

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…