Explains how to use microteaching in an effective way to have students in methods classes plan, teach, and evaluate a lesson presented to a small group of their peers. (PR)

Addresses problems and possibilities in development of practitioner research stemming from a semester-long master's level research course. Presents course context; outlines the four classroom studies that examined journal writing; explores commonalities among studies; shares conversations among researchers on issues of systematic inquiry,…

Introduces a project to engage preservice teachers in a service learning activity. Provides background on service learning and how to incorporate it into the classroom. Suggests that preservice teachers need to experience service learning so that they will be better prepared to implement service learning in their future classrooms. (DSK)

Presents the value of portfolio experiences for graduate students. Posits that, by using portfolio assessment, students take more responsibility for their own progress, and they have the opportunity to be a part of their own learning process. Provides a summary of student assessments of their portfolio experience. (DSK)

Employs a survey of institutions accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music to determine the purpose, format, and content of courses available to undergraduate elementary education majors. Finds greater agreement among instructors of fundamentals courses than among instructors of methods or combined courses. (DSK)

Presents two mathematical cultures: (1) that of the mathematician and mathematics educator; and (2) that of the classroom teacher, and examines the underlying philosophical differences. Implications for preservice teacher education are discussed and a study is described that investigated the use of technology in an elementary mathematics methods…

Discusses the use of rubrics in one preservice secondary science teacher methods course. Defines the term 'rubric' and provides a rationale for using rubrics. Discusses how rubrics were used in one science methods course and concludes with comments about the possible benefits and detriments of using rubrics in science education courses. (SAH)

Describes how several elementary teacher educators are learning to practice what they teach by integrating methods courses. This involves taking action to coordinate what occurs in each course and integrate what they do and how they do it, with a focus on interdisciplinary instruction. The process of learning to integrate methods courses involves…

Describes a teacher research project. Suggests the author's reading methods course was effective in adding some strategies to the preservice teachers' understandings of reading. Notes students seemed more willing to add reading strategies in areas where they lacked prior knowledge and experiences, but demonstrated reluctance to change in areas…

The Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument-Preservice (STEBI-B) has been used in many studies to measure science teaching self-efficacy and outcome expectancy in preservice elementary teachers. Since its development in 1990, there have been no studies that have re-examined its internal validity and reliability. The purpose of this study was…

In describing the professional development journey of science teachers, the National Science Standards (NRC 1996) provides a useful cartography. Inquiry, those standards suggest, is the central strategy for the teaching of science. By illustrating the parallels between inquiry as a form of scientific investigation and inquiry as a classroom…

Teacher education and practice do not have to be at odds with each other, but they are. Teachers should not have to choose between fulfilling their curricular and classroom management responsibilities and purposeful, innovative teaching, but they do. Not only is there a perceived disconnect between teacher education and the realities of schooling,…

The purpose of this study was to investigate effective uses of digital ink technology in an elementary mathematics methods course. A survey methodology was used in the study to examine the participants' perceptions toward this technology for teaching and learning. All of the items on the survey produced response means between 5.0 and 6.0, with a…

Numerous research studies have shown that science methods courses based on constructivist approaches can enhance teacher knowledge and confidence in ways that foster more positive attitudes to the teaching of science. However, a critical part of reflective practice is the opportunity to observe competent professionals practising their craft.…

This study explored the dynamics of power relationships in secondary science methods courses taught at an urban university in Southern California for credential candidates. Data collection extended over 10 academic semesters. Employing frameworks of power, self-study, and critical pedagogy, the study analyzes the multifaceted and intricate roads…