Five preservice teachers' perceived sources of teaching decisions were studied as they proceeded through a secondary mathematics education methods course and through student teaching. Sources cited most often included methods course content, school textbooks, suggestions made during teaching episodes in the methods course, past teachers'…

Discusses the need for preservice elementary teachers to experience inquiry first-hand, suggesting that they engage in problem-solving rather than just "talking about" it. A typical teacher education program is described with suggestions to incorporate inquiry-oriented experiences. An inquiry-oriented activity using sand and funnels is included.…

The value of using more than one data collection procedure to investigate an educational question is illustrated. A semantic differential instrument provided an index of the direction and intensity of teachers' attitudes, but an unstructured interview provided a more detailed portrayal of their opinions. (RM)

Examines six randomly selected reading methods textbooks to determine the authors' perspectives on commercial reading materials and their use in elementary school classrooms. Concludes that most authors are relatively uncritical in their advocacy of commercial materials. (FL)

In an examination of methods courses for students of vocational agriculture education, concern is expressed about whether Vo-Ag teachers are mastering techniques which invite student participation. A national survey in which methods course syllabi were analyzed for emphasis on developing competence in teaching techniques is described, and…

Describes the use of three educational innovations--prototypes, simulations, and protocol materials--in teacher education programs. Sample lessons and evaluations of each of the innovations are provided. (Author/DB)

This study examined the relationship between a constructivist/hands-on elementary methods course in science and preservice teachers' dispositions toward science content and teaching. The study investigated how an active learning and teaching style in science methods courses would affect preservice teacher self-efficacy and attitude. Data came from…

An exploratory study described the ways in which a university supervisor constructed meaning about the program goals, assessment system, and her role as a supervisor relative to a newly reconceptualized elementary student teaching program and literacy methods class. The supervisor worked in a teacher education program in a large urban university…

This study investigates the development of an understanding of scientific inquiry by preservice teachers as a result of their participation in a five-week elementary science methods class. The study was done in response to changes in state standards for teacher education in Texas and focuses on the effectiveness of a one-hour methods course in…

Noting that both the college and the collaborating schools gain from early field placement (prior to student teaching) in education programs, this paper presents a prototype for early placement practicums based on 10 years experience in providing practicums for reading methods courses for Medgar Evers College, City University of New York…

This study compared outcomes from undergraduate subjects (N=21) who had attended seminars in the wholetheme instructional approach with controls (N=21) who attended a seminar on the writing process. The wholetheme approach of Asghar Iran-Nejad emphasizes thematic, nondirectional, and intuitive teaching. The study was designed to determine if…

These guidelines provide recommendations for certifying precollegiate teachers of civics, government, and social studies. The guidelines are intended for reference and use by: (1) colleges and universities with programs that certify elementary, middle, and high school social studies, civics and government teachers; (2) state education agencies…

This paper envisions what a standards-based second language methods course might look like. In exploring the possibilities, the paper describes a current model for preservice training, generalizations gleaned from a study of a second language methods syllabi archive, and an analysis of and reflection upon a particular second language methods…

Learning science in today's classroom does not have to be restricted to text-based curricular resources. Web sites present learners with a wide range of science activities in various formats ranging from text-only information to providing authentic real-time data sets and interactive simulations. This paper discusses reasons for using the Internet…

The purpose of this study was to enhance the reflection of pre-service science teachers by infusing museum resources and context into a methods course. Qualitative methods were used for data collection from 21 students who took the course. The data sources came from field notes, reports, diaries, and interviews. The findings showed that when the…