Reforms advocated for elementary school mathematics call for knowledge few teachers possess--knowledge about content, inquiry, and the pedagogical use of mathematical knowledge. As part of a larger study, researchers at the National Center for Research on Teacher Education interviewed methods instructors at a sample of college based preservice…

The question posed in this study was whether university reading methods courses influenced student teachers' instructional choices through a process of reflective judgment. It also examined the students' actual practices as they related to the complexity of their reflections, and whether reflective judgment could be improved by using journal…

This program is the result of efforts made to develop a preparation model for elementary teachers. The science component of the program is referred to as SODIA-Science which is derived from the first letters of descriptive words: Self, Others, Discipline, Implementation, and Associate teaching. These words describe the emphasis at each level of…

To summarize the implemented program, this report makes use of the practice profile. Inputs, processes, and outputs statements are the ideals for the practice profile and are adapted from the outputs stated in the Discrepancy Evaluation Model. The major project components are: (1) "Critical Mass" (which is what is needed before the…

Abstracts and abstractors' critiques of six research reports related to preservice teacher education and instruction are presented. Aspects addressed in the studies include: (1) teaching strategy analysis models in middle school science education courses; (2) concerns-based adoption model (CBAM): basis for an elementary science methods course; (3)…

An evaluation study was made of a project which developed videocassette learning modules featuring outstanding vocational agriculture teachers illustrating their teaching methods. The two-fold purpose of the study was to determine what teaching characteristics were considered most important by students, and whether viewing the videotapes…

This description of a process used in a social studies methods course presents an experiential approach to helping students learn power sharing and decision-making skills. By leaving students alone with instructions to decide cooperatively on desired class changes, type of evaluation, and leadership, students gain experience in negotiation and…

It is common in teacher education programs to require a course in reading or language arts methods, at least for students preparing to be elementary teachers. The question for teachers of methods courses is how they can best prepare students to be teachers of reading. A common approach to teaching a reading methods class is to provide information,…

The Integrated Secondary Teacher Education Preparation Program (ISTEP) at Wichita State University is designed so that faculty members in different disciplines consistently work with one another in the preparation of teachers. ISTEP is a two-semester sequence. The learning and evaluation aspects of educational psychology and secondary methods are…

The Formative Evaluation and Heuristic Research (FEHR) Practicum, a computer-simulated educational research and evaluation experience, was assessed as a means of improving participants' knowledge and skill in traditional research. Trainee activities include the preparation of preliminary surveys, evaluation proposals, budgets, computer commands,…

TO DETERMINE WHETHER COLLEGE PROFESSORS CAN USE THE CLINICAL PROFESSOR APPROACH IN TEACHING METHODS CLASSES, TWO INSTRUCTORS AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE IN FREDONIA, NEW YORK, TAUGHT SOCIAL STUDIES EACH DAY TO A SPECIFIC GROUP OF SIXTH GRADE CHILDREN IN THE COLLEGE CAMPUS SCHOOL. THEY CONCURRENTLY TAUGHT A METHODS COURSE IN THE TEACHING OF…

THE TRAINING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS HAS FAILED TO KEEP PACE WITH THE CHANGE FROM TRADITIONAL TO MODERN METHODS OF LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION IN THE SCHOOLS. TO MAKE COLLEGE PROFESSORS AWARE OF THE QUALIFICATIONS NOW NECESSARY FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND THE NEED TO REDESIGN COLLEGE PROGRAMS, ATTENTION HAS BEEN CALLED TO THE RECENT PROGRESS THE…

The development of a field-based teacher education program is described. Following a brief outline of the current status of the program and obligations to be met by the prospective teachers involved, the problems faced by the program implementors are discussed. The major problems were originally organizational and administrative. In the course of…

The general organizational and instructional procedures employed in teaching a methods course are described. The essential features that characterized the methods program are described in terms of the preservice teacher's role, the role of the instructor, grouping patterns employed, and teaching experience. A great deal of emphasis is given in…

In the belief that teacher education can be strengthened by making it possible for the student to have more actual contact with school children than is usually afforded, an experiment is being conducted at Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C., through the cooperation of the elementary laboratory school and the college of education. Eight…