In order to examine the potential benefits and existing barriers of preservice science teachers engaging in an electronic professional community on the World Wide Web, a "Web Forum" was constructed called the SciTeach forum. Although there are barriers to overcome, a "Web-based" forum appears to be an effective instrument to provide support to a…

This professional development collaborative involved state agencies, local industry, an outdoor learning center, a university, and teams of teachers from rural schools. The program had three main goals: to introduce inquiry-based approaches to science teaching in the elementary classroom, to utilize field experiences to connect the program to…

Discusses the importance of new music teachers having experienced music teachers as a mentor. Addresses the work of a music educator, the history of mentoring, and how to find a music education mentor who offers expertise, empathy, support, and availability. Includes resources for mentoring. (CMK)

To better prepare students for kindergarten, the Lafayette County School District in Oxford, Mississippi, provided cost-effective professional development seminars to local day-care workers. Three-day seminars several times a summer for 3 years were offered to all day-care workers and preschool teachers in the county including Head Start staff,…

Presents important information for conducting authentic scientific field work. Interprets one teacher's field experience in the Pacific Northwest. Points out the need for teacher training in authentic field work and makes suggestions for starting a field ecology project. (KHR)

Examined how language teachers apply practical experiences from computer-assisted language learning (CALL) coursework to their teaching. Examines ways in which teachers continue their CALL coursework. Participants were English-as-a-Second-Language teachers who had, within the last 4 years, completed the same graduate-level CALL course and who were…

Examined implementation of a model for inclusion-related professional development at a disadvantaged primary school in Queensland, Australia. The model focused on school reculturing, collaboration between teaching professionals, and opportunities for individual teacher learning. Found that the model enhanced teachers' sense of ownership and…

Describes an online course at Valdosta State University (Georgia) that relates learning standards and technology to develop effective technology-enhanced learning activities. Suggests that this course could be replicated as a professional development opportunity for a broader audience of K-12 teachers. (LRW)

This article compares the work of the Holmes Group and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, two reform efforts influencing teacher education. They have different purposes but share goals, such as improving teacher education quality via in-depth specialty studies, instructional evaluation, and strengthened liberal arts. (SM)

Rather than focusing on "proven" practices, Washington State University and the faculties of more than 50 schools have collaborated on Project LEARN (League of Educational Action Researchers in the Northwest) to enhance teachers' professional lives. Teams of teachers actively pursue the answers to their own teaching and learning…

Examines the ways in which reflection leads to better decision making and better administration. Discusses the following three sources of knowledge available to administrators who choose to enhance their effectiveness through reflection: (1) theoretical; (2) empirical; and (3) experiential. Examines the integration of knowledge and action through…

If whole language classes are to be student-centered and teacher responsive, teachers must relinquish several commonly held assumptions regarding student performance levels and abilities, testing practices, lesson planning, and classroom control. In the process, they will gain the freedom to achieve their own potential and enhance their students'…

Explores six potential barriers to an effective public image of counseling psychology; reviews several remedial strategies; and advocates the development of a vigorous, centrally coordinated public image agenda to enhance the profession's future viability and social impact. (TE)

Describes technical-assistance program offered by University of Kansas School of Social Welfare to community social-service and mental-health agencies. Describes roles of style and communication strategies in technical assistance. Discusses assistance methods, planning, and change. Indicates preliminary success of Kansas effort. (TES)

Reported in this part of the survey are faculty demographics, faculty vacancies, and contrasts between conditions in 161 engineering schools and 68 engineering technology schools. Highlights are reported and the methodology of the survey is discussed. (CW)