Study described what and how preservice teachers learned during a field-based elementary physical education methods course. Interviews, observations, and written work indicated they felt the development of pedagogical content knowledge was salient in learning to teach. They linked inadequate pedagogical content knowledge to problems observing and…

Teachers need focused staff development to improve content knowledge and pedagogy for specific subject areas. An interview with Lee Shulman, professor of education, discusses advantages of content-specific development, noting the important role of case studies and the changes necessary for helping teachers become lifelong students of content and…

Describes pedagogical content knowing (PCKg) based on a constructivist view of teaching and learning, emphasizing knowing and understanding as active processes. PCKg requires teachers to understand students' learning and the environmental context in which teaching and learning occur. The paper applies the model of PCKg to teacher education…

Four articles discuss the preparation of dance educators and the development of dance teachers' competencies, focusing on the knowledge base for competent dance teaching, the preparation of effective teachers, motor learning knowledge in the dance education curriculum, and realities, myths, and priorities in dance teacher competency. (SM)

Analyzed questionnaire responses of 152 prospective secondary mathematics teachers, 10 of whom were interviewed, to investigate their knowledge of the concept of function. Results indicated that many did not have a modern concept of function, a limitation that influenced their pedagogical approach. (Contains 45 references.) (MDH)

Presents an overview and analysis of the Mathematics Case Methods Project, which uses cases in order to examine and reflect upon teaching. Focuses on a special kind of teacher knowledge, coined pedagogical-content knowledge. (ASK)

An international team of mathematics and science educators developed a method of investigating the pedagogical content parts of preservice teachers' knowledge bases. They asked preservice teachers to prepare a lesson plan about a topic (area) as if they had to teach it, then they later interviewed them. The method produced significant, rich…

Examined preservice teachers' situated understandings of teaching and learning and their developing voices using classroom stories and essays written before, during, and after their practicum experiences. The stories located students' voices in distinct ways and expressed growing awareness of classroom dynamics and the value of peer dialog in…

Discusses the kind of symbolic and strategic value that science-legitimized pedagogical knowledge has in the professionalization of teacher education, studying the history of the science of teaching and the professionalization of teacher education in Finland and suggesting that the teaching profession is better understood when viewed in relation…

Considers the professional life histories of two Brazilian mathematics teachers in the context of mandated curriculum change, identifying changes in thought and practice and noting experiences that influenced change. Reflection on their own thought and practice, and interest in their own development, were the most important internal aspects…

Investigated student teachers' experiences using a phenomenographically oriented pedagogic theory to develop a better understanding of preschool children's life questions. Found that, following the intervention study, the students emphasized the importance of finding the child's point of view and of tackling the child's questions together, more so…

Acquiring subject matter knowledge and developing teaching methodology in university coursework facilitates changes in conceptions of teaching. Professional conferences and mentor programs help beginning teachers continue acquiring this content and pedagogical knowledge. Through this developmental stage, physical educator majors' and beginning…

Offers a framework for identifying areas of agreement and disagreement across recent teacher education reform proposals. Reform documents were analyzed in relation to National Commission on Teaching and America's Future (NCTAF) recommendations. Researchers developed a rubric to assess whether and how proposals expressed agreement or disagreement…

Investigates preservice elementary school teachers' content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge of decimal numeration. Indicates that most preservice teachers were aware of longer-is-larger misconceptions in students but had little awareness of shorter-is-larger misconceptions. Emphasizes content knowledge that integrates different aspects…

This article offers advice for navigating the student-teaching experience and identifies vital qualities for student teachers. These recommendations--offered by two collegiate music education supervisors--are based on a combined two decades of teaching experience in the public school music room, plus additional experience in the three major roles…