The purpose of this research study was to examine the level of elementary education majors' science content knowledge; pedagogical knowledge; and pedagogical content knowledge in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a new teacher preparation program for undergraduate students with a science area of concentration, developed as part of the Quality…

This paper explores some forms of inquiry that are becoming influential within teacher education. In particular, the document focuses on forms of inquiry variously called "stories,""narratives,""personal knowledge,""practical knowledge," or in one particular genre "personal practical knowledge."…

This study examined how perceived teacher support of classroom questioning relates to other dimensions of teacher effectiveness, and how dimensions of teacher effectiveness are related to antecedents of classroom questioning. The study evaluated end-of-term ratings by college students (n=806) from 39 classes that suggested the following: (1)…

This paper explores the idea that writing and reading, the creation and interpretation of text, provide a model for the study of teacher education and research. It examines the development of one teacher educator who creates a community of third- and first-person voices through the re-examination of one of his published papers. Reflective writing…

The National Research Council is coordinating the development of national standards for science education in grades K through 12. By the fall of 1994, National Science Education Standards will be completed and published. The standards will contain narrative descriptions of what all students should be able to do to engage and understand the natural…

This guide is designed to assist professional development facilitators responsible for helping Virginia's adult literacy practitioners develop and implement the professional development plans that constitute a key component of the state's professional development system for paid and volunteer literacy training providers. The following are among…

This paper examines the context from which educational reform is approached and suggests that rather than restructuring the traditional educational model, rethinking that model might be more appropriate, particularly the model of the classroom. Drawing throughout on insights from the writings of John Dewey and John Goodlad, the paper has a…

The purpose of this study was to compare graduates of the Undergraduate and Post-Degree Programs in secondary school science at the Ohio State University, with respect to their attitudes toward the use of inquiry activities, use of inquiry activities in the classroom and the use of effective classroom management practices. Teacher characteristics…

In response to current discussions about a universal Canadian childcare system (affordable childcare for "all" families), this article deconstructs the position that childcare occupies in the province of Ontario through the examination, from a historical perspective, of a document that outlines regulations for childcare programs: the Day…

Conference papers reviewing the role of decision making in social studies education since 1960 are presented. The focus of the discussion was a paper by Shirley Engle published in 1960 entitled "Decision Making: The Heart of Social Studies Instruction." The first part of the booklet contains the text of that paper. Engle maintained that the…

A problem solving course designed to expose the student to the wide range of alternative problem solving techniques and to enable the student to use these methods in practical applications was developed at the University of California at Los Angeles. The course also exposes the humanities student to objective tools such as numerical models, while…

The document describes a practicum which developed a unit on critical thinking that applied Jerome Bruner's discovery-learning method and also incorporated the unit within the curricular requirements of elementary education majors at Castleton State College in Vermont. It is presented in five sections and an appendix. Section I provides…

The bulletin probes the debate over the nature of social studies and considers the role of social studies in the curriculum. It is intended to be a clarification of the field of social studies for textbook authors, curriculum developers, and educators. The bulletin is presented in five chapters. Chapter I discusses the confusion which has resulted…

A SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT OVER A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS TO FIND MEANS FOR DESCRIBING INQUIRY BEHAVIOR IN GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TO TEST THE EFFECT OF TEACHING METHODS AND ENVIRONMENT ON THIS BEHAVIOR. INQUIRY ACTIVITY WAS TESTED BY HAVING CHILDREN PLAY THE ROLE OF A SMALL CITY MAYOR USING SPECIALLY DEVELOPED MATERIALS. THREE…

Four combinations of two types of television lessons and two methods of classroom teacher follow-up were studied in order to identify how combinations of treatment affected pupil achievement and interest in science and how television instruction motivated learning in elementary schools. Pupils who were presented with unanswered questions designed…