Many colleges and universities have developed internships to offer students work experience in the fields of fitness and exercise. The article identifies typical problems that occur in internships and proposes feasible solutions. Problems occur in four areas: intern academic preparation, intern accountability, supervisor's skills, and…

This study compared traditional university supervision of 15 preservice students and peer coaching procedures used with 14 students (all in their first field-based special education practica). Results suggested both approaches were equally effective for increasing desired teacher behaviors and decreasing undesired teacher behaviors. Both students…

Twenty-three second-year education students at Charles Sturt University (New South Wales) participated in a three-week practicum program at remote rural schools. Participants offered generally positive comments about the value of the teaching and living experience and willingness to teach in such schools in the future. (SV)

A practicum model was designed to prepare secondary special education teachers to be collaborative decision makers and reflective practitioners. Over the course of the practicum, the nine participants were found to exhibit more reflective thinking, and collaboration with their peers seemed to assist in developing effective instructional…

The present author's experiences teaching a graduate course on evaluation for those who train adults in various settings illustrate how principles of adult learning made the course practical. Outcomes from class experiences with an actual program evaluation are described for the students, evaluation client, and teacher. (SLD)

The Early Intervention Special Education Program at West Virginia University developed, implemented, and evaluated a distance education model using satellite broadcasts of coursework and supervised practicum experiences to train early interventionists. Program success suggests that emerging telecommunications technologies offer a feasible…

Describes an undergraduate, clinical, child psychology course combining classroom, practicum, and guest speaker components. Provides students with an overview of characteristics, clinical theory, and treatment of primary disorders and problems of childhood and adolescence. Attempts to create linkages between academia and practitioners. Evaluations…

Suggests that the doctoral dissertation in its present form does not serve as a training exercise nor as a contribution to knowledge. Proposes a range of alternatives to the traditional dissertation in the field of education, with specific attention to replacing the dissertation with a series of papers ready to be submitted to professional…

This study evaluated the effects of peer coaching of five low-performing special education teacher trainees learning to deliver direct instruction procedures to elementary students with mild disabilities. High-performing peers used videotapes and individual counseling to help trainees. Results indicated increased effective teaching behaviors by…

The Special Education Training Program at South Carolina State University offers training for school administrators on both theory and practice in designing, developing, implementing, and supervising programs for students with special needs in least restrictive environments. Each course requires a 10-hour field experience and students must also…

A study of 70 pairs of supervisory teachers and teacher interns at the University of Saskatchewan examined contextual supervision in the mentorship of student teachers' oral questioning skills. Findings indicate that supervisory skills improved, especially when supervisors adjusted their leadership styles to match protege development levels, and…

Describes the development of a week-long summer computer camp for middle school students at the University of West Florida. Highlights include practicum experience for college students; the learning model; curriculum plans; day-by-day activities, including email, digital cameras, PowerPoint, Web pages, and technology integration; and suggested…

Introduces a series of seven articles that provide different perspectives on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a field-based teacher-education program at Queen's University of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Explains features of the restructured teacher-education program, the aim and character of evaluating the program, and learning from…

Describes the use of focus groups with teacher candidates to evaluate a pilot program within the Queen's University Faculty of Education. The pilot study was designed to uncover problems in implementing the program before candidates registered. After reviewing focus-group techniques, the article describes how they were used in the pilot study's…

Wraps up a series of articles on the work of faculty and students at Queen's University of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, who were involved in restructuring the teacher-preparation program to be a field-based program. Discusses the profundity of the change, the political context for implementation, and the evaluation of the program. (SM)