Discusses the role of research training in future undergraduate psychology programs. The author emphasizes the need to retain undergraduate research methods courses which have prompted many students to enter research careers. Psychology educators must confront an academic identity crisis and resolve the questions whether psychology is a discipline…

Describes a short course in German taught by student teachers to sixth graders and junior high school students. It is stated that this program bridges the gap between theory learned at the university and practical experience gained in the public school, and should increase the benefits of student teaching. (EJS)

The first concern of the English methods course should be the students' expression and understanding of their own feelings. (DD)

Presents an approach that attempts to use environmental education as a thread in the science methods course in teacher education. Describes the framework, strategies, and activities used. Discusses some of the difficulties that student teachers encounter in translating this approach to the practical level. Appendixes include some activities and…

Describes the use of electronic mail discussion lists for students in science methods courses as an attempt at ensuring that preservice teachers are able to use electronic educational technology in teaching science. (JRH)

Describes the integration of information literacy pedagogy into the literacy curriculum of a teacher education program in Canada. Highlights include constructing a framework of information literacy pedagogy; collaboration with teacher librarians; revising a language arts methods course to include information literacy instruction; and what students…

Investigates three approaches to hands-on science learning in two contexts, an elementary science methods class and a secondary science methods class. Focused on an activity on foam. Concludes that when developing models for teaching science methods courses, methods instructors need to share power with prospective teachers. (Author/MM)

Addresses the reading lives of those preparing to be teachers. Describes how too often prospective teachers say they did not like to read, they did not think of themselves as good readers, or they no longer had time to read. Discusses a teacher educator's use of "found" poetry in her reading methods courses. (SG)

Elementary and secondary classroom teachers (N=51) basically agreed on the importance of a reward system, clear student roles, and evaluation of teamwork as factors that affected successful implementation of cooperative learning. Other significant factors identified were teaching/management skills, activity design, and group composition. (IAH)

Suggests that the declining enrollment in German courses in the southern and western United States illustrates the need to promote German language education. Teaching assistants should be trained in public relations methods; a model is provided for including such training in existing methods courses. (25 references) (JL)

Secondary science methods courses should help students develop competencies in five areas: knowledge of the curriculum, planning for instruction, teaching strategies, classroom management, and evaluation of pupils' progress. (IAH)

Discusses phenomenological approaches to the study of reading, which utilize students' experience of reading as the fundamental pedagogical focus. Suggests ways in which such a focus could be implemented in "methods" courses in teacher education, drawing comparisons with traditional approaches. (DMM)

Notes that portfolios have gained acceptance as a recognized tool in educational assessment and evaluation in many elementary school classrooms. Suggests that portfolio assessment be used in literacy methods courses for preservice teachers. Describes students taking an active role in learning about portfolio assessment, evaluation, and management.…

Discusses efforts to infuse telecommunications into the science component of a teacher education program; highlights the initial goals, challenges, successes, and obstacles; and ponders questions of access and reform. (Author/MKR)