This research examines two images of teachers as seen by students of education: the ideal teacher and their own self-image as teachers. The research compares the students' perceptions of these two images using two sub-groups of students of education: students at an academic teachers' college who will be referred to as student teachers and…

Effective mentoring in English is considered paramount to a preservice teacher's development. What are mentors' views about developing effective English teaching practices in their mentees? This study used quantitative data (survey) and qualitative data (questionnaire) on 24 mentors' perceptions of mentoring second-year preservice teachers for…

The purpose of this study is to investigate teachers' learning improvement through participation in study groups. In particular, this study examined how two second grade active participant teachers' classroom practice changed over time and how their changes were related to changes in their study group meetings, which they called Professional…

This paper reports case study research into the knowledge and understanding of chemistry for six secondary science student teachers. It combines innovative student-generated computer animations, using "ChemSense" software, with interviews to probe understanding of four common chemical processes used in the secondary school curriculum. Findings…

The purpose of this study was to examine preservice mathematics teachers' knowledge about common (mis)conceptions and difficulties of elementary students. In addition, it was aimed to investigate preservice teachers' knowledge about the possible sources of these misconception/difficulties, and their suggested strategies to overcome those…

This paper presents an innovative way in which university education can help pre-service teachers become better problem-solvers. The central idea is to use the "Technology Fair" as a means for promoting pre-service teachers pedagogical content knowledge about technological problem solving skills. This innovation is supported with results from a…

This paper starts from the premise that teachers' discourse communities influence how ideas for reform are implemented. In order to understand some of the discourse surrounding the reforms proposed by GAISE, an online focus group activity was conducted. The focus group consisted of pre-service and practicing teachers responsible for teaching…

Behavior-based interviewing (BBI) has been used in the business world for decades as a way to select new hires whose past behaviors indicate future success. Behavior-based interviews are based on the premise that past behavior is the best predictor of future performance and that interview questions should evaluate the knowledge, skills, and…

The purpose of this study was to examine the types of instruments being used to document mathematics and science teacher quality characteristics in 48 nationally funded mathematics and science education awards. Each of the 48 projects operationalized teacher quality and determined how to assess it. The main research questions examined the…

Teaching literacy skills is inextricably meshed with the work of transformation. When students learn to read and write, they are learning the knowledge and skills needed in order to better understand their world and ultimately to participate in the remaking of their realities. Leadership for social justice is a democratic, empowering relationship…

A number of terms have been used to describe knowledge needed for teaching, one of which is subject knowledge. How knowledge for teaching is conceptualized in teacher education prioritizes some knowledge bases over other knowledge bases. Further, knowledge prioritized by student teachers is influenced by socialization prior to and during an…

It became clear that a bibliography of research and theory related to subject-specific pedagogy (e.g., pedagogical content knowledge) did not exist in any central location; hence, the purpose of this bibliography. Presents a fairly comprehensive listing of what has been published on subject-specific pedagogy. (Author/ASK)

Discusses the various aspects of explanations that make up an explanatory framework and the notion of pedagogical content knowledge. Analyzes an exemplary set of physics explanations to identify the individual and holistic characteristics of an effective explanation. (Author/SAH)

Eastern Heights Primary School's involvement with research on assessment for learning began in 1998 with a focus on technology education as a new learning area. The initial research outcomes highlighted the impact that teachers' pedagogical content knowledge has on classroom and school practices in assessment for learning. In the subsequent years,…

The state of mathematics and science education in South Africa is a cause for concern. This situation can be attributed, in part, to many mathematics and science teachers' limited content knowledge, ineffective teaching approaches, and unprofessional attitudes. To address these three problem areas simultaneously, a holistic model for the…