A major purpose of methods courses should be to provide teachers with methods to put their progressive ideals into practice.

Describes a science methods course for preservice teachers centering on field trips. (LS)

Arguments for microteaching as part of an introductory methods course are presented, and the role of the supervisor in setting up and conducting a microteaching laboratory is explored. (JMF)

The paper describes cooperative school/university science teacher training program that is evolving at Indiana University. It requires approximately four to five semesters of study. (Author/CP)

Attitudes toward science, process skills knowledge and self-concept were all found to be significantly intercorrelated; self concept was the only predictor of achievement. (CP)

Elementary teachers can gain valuable insights into the teaching of social studies by taking part in primary social science research projects. Describes a primary research project conducted in a social studies methods class that involved future teachers in investigating the water problems of Shreveport, Louisiana. (RM)

Studies at the Curry School of Education (University of Virginia) have demonstrated that microcomputer-based simulations of classroom interactions increase participants' use of appropriate instructional techniques with computer-generated pupils. Performance feedback from the system resulted in significant decreases in inappropriate management…

A national survey of 223 colleges and universities with undergraduate elementary teacher education programs showed that most required a course in social studies methods but required less than the 18 credit hours in social science content recommended by the National Council for the Social Studies Teacher Education guidelines. (Author/RM)

Compares responses to questions asked of teacher education institutions and state departments about the status of environmental education for the years 1972 and 1979. Major findings are listed separately for teacher education institutions and state departments. Concludes that progress was made between 1972 and 1979 in most areas examined. (JN)

Defines multicultural education as a transmitter of understandings of all cultures and explains the need for multicultural teacher education programs. Suggests ways to implement multicultural concepts in teacher preparation programs, specifically in readings methods courses, at the college level, the teacher education department level, and the…

This paper aims to show how its author/researchers were brought to reconsider some of the assumptions behind a small arc project that was being conducted on the professional development of student teachers in Australia. A small group of English Method students were invited to participate in three focus group interviews: before their first teaching…

An advanced training program in research methodology was designed, implemented, and evaluated for psychology faculty from four-year colleges. The goal was to build and sustain a community of college teachers committed to conducting aging research, incorporating methodological developments in psychology courses, and engaging undergraduate students…

Storytelling has long been recognized as a valuable tool in elementary instruction. Storytelling strategies improve concept integration, and also provide children with experiences of working collaboratively. Through a combined effort between faculty and a doctoral student, a workshop was implemented to introduce the topic of storytelling to…

This study evaluated the tendency toward positive beliefs about constructivism for teacher candidates at one university's teacher education program, identifying differences in the beliefs about constructivist learning between early childhood, elementary, and middle school teacher candidates who had taken early childhood methods courses and those…

Researchers noted that introducing technology within a course specific framework, such as a methods class, often results in preservice teachers increasing their computer competency and confidence in using technology and can greatly influence the adoption of technology as part of instructional experiences. To determine if these constructs were…