This sixth module in the series for preservice elementary teachers develops the following concepts of diagnosis in mathematics: diagnostic techniques and instruments; the identification of specific learner behaviors; the concrete, semi-concrete, and abstract continuum aspect of learning mathematics concepts and skills; Piagetian developmental…

A case study approach was used to explore the relationship between subject matter knowledge and the acquisition of pedagogical content knowledge in the preparation of preservice elementary mathematics teachers. A preservice elementary teacher was interviewed prior to her mathematics methods course to ascertain her subject matter background and…

Describes participants' experiences in collaboratively teaching a social studies methods course as part of a Professional Development School project, noting changes in participants' attitudes and apprehensions. Data from taped conversations, journals, and interviews indicated that weekly interactions and joint decision making helped surmount…

This study investigated the effectiveness of introducing e-mail applications into preservice elementary science methods courses at two distant universities. Interviews with instructors and analysis of correspondence between students indicated that, despite problems of incorporating e-mail into the course, interest level in and attitudes toward…

The Drake University (Iowa) pharmacy school has developed an elective teaching clerkship to help prepare pharmacy students as university teachers. Course goals were to familiarize students with issues in university-level teaching, promote understanding of theories underlying specific teaching methods, and apply general teaching technique and…

Maintains that two goals in multicultural art education are developing students' sensitivity to the techniques and inspiration of artists and utilizing that understanding to discover more about their own beliefs and values as translated through an art object. Describes a case-study lesson based on this approach. (CFR)

Describes methods of using technology in a preservice social studies methods course that show how technology can support teacher planning and how technology can increase teacher effectiveness. Knowledge of instructional materials is discussed, and how to demonstrate the integration of technology into the curriculum through simulations for decision…

Two methods of delivering direct instruction to preservice teachers were compared. Students (n=37) in a reading course learned the Directed Reading Activity (DRA) via lecture and discussion; 37 others learned with videotape and related practice. The latter group retained and used DRA knowledge better over a longer period. (Author/SM)

Describes a lesson on pseudoscience for a teaching methods course that promotes active student participation, is not a laboratory activity, and follows the sequence of the three phases associated with the learning cycle model. Contains a true-false science questionnaire to be administered to students as a bridge to discussion. (PR)

Describes a study that investigated preservice elementary teachers' decisions about teaching strategies and their attitudes toward mathematics and computer-related technologies in a constructivist-centered methods course which included the use of problem-solving multimedia. The effectiveness of these strategies in developing more positive…

Investigates the computer knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate early childhood majors enrolled in a teaching-methods course which has not historically emphasized the potential of computerized simulation in instruction. Results are discussed in terms of the need to broaden preservice teachers' exposure to computers if they are expected to use…

Describes one college's program requiring preservice elementary educators to take their methods courses in an integrated block during one semester before student teaching, noting pitfalls of and advantages to this network of classes and reporting data collected from cooperating classroom teachers who subsequently had these student teachers in…

Offers three strategies from "Strategies for Teaching: Guide for Music Methods Classes," that was developed under the leadership of MENC's Society for Music Teacher Education. Gives guidelines for methods teachers to prepare their students for incorporating the National Standards for Music Education into music instruction at all grade…

A review of the literature in science education shows that most students have difficulties in hypothetico-deductive reasoning. The author's objective in this study was to investigate the abilities of high school teachers and university teachers to understand the difference between the terms "hypothesis" and "prediction" in the…

This study is part of an ongoing investigation of the knowledge base, learning and performance of Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) students in the Canadian province of Quebec. The goal of the broad research initiative is to identify valid and reliable criteria for candidate selection and to provide those who are admitted to a programme…