The study undertook two tasks: (1) The selection of statements of objectives for special methods courses in English, mathematics, science, and social studies by a review of the literature for the past 15 to 20 years; (2) An assessment of the opinions of college instructors of special methods courses, college supervisors of student teachers,…

This publication for methods instructors contains articles dealing with science education in elementary schools. Titles of articles appearing in this issue are: Undergraduate Independent Studies in Elementary School Science, A Concern About the Teaching of Science in the Elementary School, A Random Sampling of Graduate Students' Critiques of a…

Describes a research methods course which fosters cooperation between students and gives them a positive experience with course content. Students are encouraged to view the sociologist more like a detective than a laboratory scientist. This reduces anxiety for students who fear the quantitative and empirical perspectives of the sciences.…

Describes seven texts designed for use in English methods courses for secondary school teachers. (DD)

Describes the benefits of assigning methods course students to conduct small-scale descriptive studies into literary response or reading interests. (DD)

Investigated was the influence of instruction in process skills on preservice teacher achievement, attitude toward process skills, and their use of process objectives and activities in lesson plans. Results indicated preservice teachers receiving process skill instruction improved in all areas relating to process education. (SL)

The article describes a practical social studies methods course cooperatively planned and implemented by a state college and a high school. The methods classes met in the high school twice a week for two semesters and spent additional time observing teaching and participation in discussions with teachers. (Author/RM)

This paper argues that the appropriate emphasis of reform should be on research of variations in teacher education rather than the uncritical adoption of a specific model. An overview of research addresses the question of how the amounts of coursework in teacher preparation and in subject matter preparation are related to teacher effectiveness.…

By using writing-to-learn strategies in their classes, teacher educators can introduce future teachers to the concept of writing as a teaching strategy while improving their understanding of course content. Examples demonstrate the many benefits of the method. (MT)

One technique particularly worthy of possible inclusion in the secondary social studies methods class is an assignment in which students interview practicing social studies teachers. In addition to obtaining more insight into actual teaching practice, methods students learn about interviewing as a social studies teaching method. A course is…

Thirty-seven social studies methods texts were examined to see how concept instruction was covered. Seven provided no guidance for instruction in social science concepts, and most did not provide sufficient information and guidelines, despite the considerable body of knowledge that stresses the importance of this area. (IS)

One part of the Merrill and Tennyson model for concept teaching consists of expository presentations of the concept arranged from easy to difficult. This study showed that the presentation order, i.e., the order of difficulty, does not significantly affect student achievement. (Author/RM)

Longitudinal research is needed to investigate the effect of science teacher education programs. The impact of the program may not be evident until two or three years after the experience. This type of research can also assist in planning interventions and professional growth opportunities. Universities often do not take responsibility for…

A study examined items selected by preservice teachers for inclusion in an assigned portfolio. Twenty-nine third-year and twenty-eight fourth-year preservice elementary school teachers in a science methods course were asked to complete portfolios that reflected course competencies. Seven items, on average, were selected by each cohort, with 76% of…

To get a preliminary understanding of how mathematics methods courses are taught, this study examined course syllabi from as wide a range of public and private universities as possible. Mathematics methods course syllabi from 200 randomly selected members of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) were requested. Following the…