Suggests that the following three elements of investigation processes serve as the basis of secondary science methods courses: identification of a problem and subsequent design of an investigation; examination of existing investigations which illustrate good and poor science; and completion of representative activities in curricula which deal with…

Noting that many preservice teachers enter required courses believing that the course is something to endure or overcome for certification, a study examined whether a reading methods course would convince students to view teaching the reading process as a vital and necessary function of content area teachers. Six classes of students (three…

A strong case can be made for increasing the hours of the social studies methods course from three to six semester hours. One of the major problems of secondary social studies classes is the unimaginative, unexciting, and predominant practice of transmitting unexamined and unquestioned facts and information to the students. Social studies…

Discussion of the contribution of a particular course toward developing teacher competency raises the question: "Just what does one need to know to teach composition?" If a person were to take only one course, it would likely be "Composition for Teachers." In theory lie answers, so a suitable syllabus would include Beth Neman's "Teaching Students…

This paper explores the question of the relative quality of the academic and professional components of teacher education programs from three different angles: (1) a critical assessment of several widely publicized and representative critiques of education courses with a focus on describing the variety of the criticisms and on assessing the…

The effectiveness of self-instructional modules in increasing the social studies knowledge of students enrolled in a teacher education program is reported. Students enrolled in social studies methods courses were divided into an experimental group (n=45) which used the modules and a control group (n=55) which read a textbook chapter dealing with…

The Multiple Perspectives Teacher Education Emphasis Area at Michigan State University was designed to integrate teacher candidates' field experiences with the instruction from the methods courses. Field instructors were informed about the specific methods, content, and procedures. Some methods courses were taught within the field setting and…

This 12-hour module of instruction is designed to help undergraduates in social studies methods courses integrate economics education into the elementary school social studies curriculum. The major purposes of the module are to (1) demonstrate how economics concepts can be integrated into social studies instruction, (2) reinforce or extend teacher…

This 12-hour module of instruction is designed to help undergraduates in social studies methods courses integrate economics education into the secondary school social studies curriculum. The major purposes of the module are to (1) reinforce or extend teacher education students' understanding of selected basic economic concepts, (2) develop an…

Described is a pilot program initiated at Purdue University and designed to provide experiences for prospective elementary teachers in which scientific knowledge was presented in an inquiry manner. A goal of the project is a three-year escalating, prospective elementary-teacher involvement with elementary children. (Authors/PEB)

The focus of this study was to analyze the learning benefits accrued by the experienced teacher from supervising a secondary social studies student teacher. Teachers in the Puget Sound region of the state of Washington were surveyed. They were asked to respond to questions to determine how well participating in the supervision of the student…

This study was conducted to examine differences and similarities between the views of teachers, principals and college professors as reflected on the Mathematics Inventory for Teachers (MIT) which is concerned with both cognitive and affective outcomes of mathematics instruction. A randomly selected group of secondary school principals and…

A competency-based introductory counseling course, including demonstrations of model counseling, student role-play counseling, information about prisoners, and a counseling practicum using prisoners as a client population, was developed for Roanoke Bible College. Research was then conducted to evaluate the course materials. Findings led to the…

TEACHER EDUCATION THROUGH APPLIED METHODS (TEAM), AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM FOR THE INTEGRATION OF ELEMENTARY METHODS COURSES, IS DISCUSSED. SPECIALISTS WHO MAY FORM A TEACHING TEAM ARE OFTEN FROM THE AREAS OF LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, AND INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA. THE PURPOSES FOR DEVELOPING A TEAM APPROACH ARE TO REDUCE THE…

This course is a team taught, 12 quarter-hour block course, which combines a general teaching, competency segment and a specialized subject area methods segment. It is required of all students seeking secondary certification and is supported out of the regular secondary department budget. The teaching competency segment has the following three…