This book is based on the premise that, although many professional organizations and the public are concerned about how teachers are prepared for their profession, this concern is not reflected in research about teaching methods classes. By presenting findings about the educational experiences of preservice teachers, the book aims to generate…

Maryville University (Missouri) believes in training competent beginning teachers who understand that all children can learn. Regarding mathematics, prospective teachers must often be convinced they can learn it themselves. Because most students do not have much math preparation, do not like it, and have great misconceptions, Maryville assumes…

This paper describes how the Web-based Inquiry for Learning Science (WBI) instrument was used with preservice elementary and secondary science teachers in science methods courses to enhance their understanding of Web-based scientific inquiry. The WBI instrument is designed to help teachers identify Web-based inquiry activities for learning science…

This paper outlines the efforts of two mathematics teacher educators in their use of online videos to expose their elementary preservice teachers to examples of reform teaching, as espoused by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The online videos provide an excellent source for reflection, and each author shares their different…

Specific areas in foreign language teacher training programs are defined as problem areas: the teaching of culture, activities to promote the study of foreign languages, and language testing. It is stated that foreign language teachers should have competence in (1) content area, (2) the learning-teaching process, and (3) the relationship of…

Results of a survey are presented concerning the status of social studies methods courses at undergraduate institutions in Arkansas. There are 16 colleges which provide teaching certificates at the secondary level in Arkansas; all include the social studies as one of their certification areas. All 16 responded to the author's questionnaire. It was…

A STUDY AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY (CHICAGO), SPONSORED BY THE ILLINOIS STATE-WIDE CURRICULUM STUDY CENTER IN THE PREPARATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHERS (ISCPET), TESTED THE HYPOTHESIS THAT "PERSONS ASPIRING TO BECOME TEACHERS OF ENGLISH IN HIGH SCHOOL CAN BE ALERTED AND TRAINED IN SOME OF THE VARIED, SPECIFIC, SEPARABLE, AND MEASURABLE…

An Information Retrieval (IR) system for 5312 social science generalizations and a social simulation game, called "Explanation", are discussed. The game, using specially prepared case studies, is designed to permit players to develop ability in asking questions, generalizing, and stating tentative explanations. The research revealed the…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a series of self-instructional modules (SIMs) for training secondary-level social studies teacher-trainees to develop and ask higher-level questions. Forty subjects enrolled for social studies methods courses were blocked on pre-test scores and randomly assigned to treatment groups.…

Results of a survey of social studies methods professors regarding educational practices are presented. Questions were asked regarding class size, program interrelationships (position of the course in relation to the sequence in education offerings), course content, teaching methods, instructional materials, and how the methods instructors viewed…

The effective use of technology in the classroom has become a focal emphasis in K-12 schools. Because of this emphasis, teacher education programs are expected to provide future teachers with an education that includes teaching specific content areas as well as an opportunity to become computer literate. During two semesters, pre- and…

This study explored case method instruction in a graduate elementary education literacy course. Audiotaped case discussions, students' written reflections, interviews, questionnaires, and field notes were collected. Case method instruction proved to be a successful addition to the course. (SM)

Discusses the need for holistic curriculum development and reflective teaching, examining five persistent myths related to teacher education and noting strategies for refuting them. Challenges excuses for maintaining the status quo in education (lecturing and testing as the normal mode), viewing learning as an interactive process. (SM)

Shares an experience from a mathematics methods course for elementary teachers that used concrete materials to teach the concept of rounding in different bases. Discusses how this experience modeled recommendations by the NCTM "Professional Teaching Standards" in creating classroom climate and conducting discussion. (MDH)

Maintains that preservice education courses (or "methods" courses) need to provide teacher candidates with opportunities to use their own stories and experiences in a naturalistic or "researching" approach to teaching young children. This approach will help preservice teachers learn how children use their past experiences…