Explores what constitutes an explanation for a science teaching event, noting conceptual-analysis-of-teaching and task-analysis approaches. Examples of various categories and distinctions are provided, drawing on data from pre- and postlesson discussions of an experienced teacher's seventh grade science lesson. The Science Teacher Thinking…

Reports the results of returned surveys of biology instructors (n=44), chemistry instructors (n=20), and personnel officers (n=19) in the North Carolina Community College System. The instructor survey concerned the type of courses taught, the academic preparation of the instructor, and the perceived value of secondary teaching. (PR)

This 2-year study focused on preservice teachers' theoretical orientations to the reading process and examined the relationship of undergraduate coursework and the student teaching experiences to these orientations. Findings showed that half the students experienced no changes in theoretical orientation; for those who changed, coursework had…

Discusses the relationship between teachers' espoused beliefs and beliefs in action, examining two beginning teachers' first-year experiences and the contrasting beliefs they articulated over time. Working conditions strongly affected the teachers. They developed beliefs about teaching and learning during preservice education that were unrelated…

A high school teacher describes student experiences of meeting resistance when attempting to learn more about community issues or problems. These negative encounters, although causing some anxiety and distress, taught beneficial lessons that enabled students to grow and learn. (LP)

Evaluates the student teaching process in Japan through analysis of what student teachers write about critical events and their reflections in the context of everyday teaching experience. Results from 2 questionnaires given to 88 student teachers are provided revealing the most difficult incidents encountered, the incidents which were positive,…

The Isolated Schools' Project offers final-year preservice teachers the opportunity to experience teaching in a nonevaluated situation in a rural or remote part of Queensland (Australia). Two student teachers describe their three-week experiences in isolated one-room schools. (SV)

Presents portraits of six parents who became involved as avocational teachers in synagogue schools. Traces avocational teachers' public commitment to school and personal renewal as Jews. Provides a closer look at the powerful impact that teaching and learning had on participants' views of themselves and their relationship to Jewish texts. (DSK)

Compared the student-teaching experiences of novice teachers in Japan and the United States to understand similarities and differences in acculturation. Student teachers from one Japanese university and student teachers and beginning teachers from one U.S. university wrote critical incidents summaries that researchers scored and coded. Results…

A survey of 230 secondary school principals found that they viewed their leadership skills for guiding collaborative-based programs to be within the average range. Predictors of their self-perceived competence were clock hours in noncredit-generative professional-development activities, academic degrees, and number of years teaching in general…

Describes the author's experiences teaching at four Taiwanese universities in eight years. Presents a way of dealing with students' needs called the discovery approach to teaching literature: the three main components are performances, activities, and journals. Notes that the Taiwanese students were hungry for talk about substantive issues. (RS)

Redesigned curriculum materials support curricular and pedagogical change in mathematics education in uncommon ways. Observation of two fourth-grade teachers using a new mathematics textbook focused on the learning that occurred and the pertinent characteristics of the text, the teachers, and the teaching context. Activities such as analyzing…

Examines the cognitive basis of one experienced English-as-a-foreign-language teacher's instructional decisions in grammar teaching. Based on extensive classroom observations and interviews, the article describes the teacher's personal stores of knowledge, beliefs, assumptions, and attitudes that affect his instructional decisions. (Author/JL)

Examines World War II experiences of 75 New Zealand teachers who were then students, teacher trainees, or teachers, many in rural schools. Discusses the rise of progressive thinking and child-centered learning, children's attitudes toward war, rationing and war work in schools, impact of the men's departure, treatment of married and single women…

Students profit greatly from seeing geology in the field. Unfortunately, many factors make using the field as a training area difficult. Recommends that teachers participate in field excursions and transmit their learning into the classroom. Describes the GeoVenture concept and a trip to Great Britain. A slide set is available for nonparticipants.…