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)

Evaluated the effects on student teachers of a preservice program that grouped them into cohorts and emphasized community- building. Interview, observation, and questionnaire data highlighted positive effects (high participation levels in group activities, greater awareness of the value of collaboration, and greater willingness to take risks in…

This study examines the benefits and challenges of using distributed learning methods for teaching field practice seminars. Over a 3-year period (2000 through 2002), both in-class and online sections were evaluated in terms of meeting learning objectives and student satisfaction with the learning environment. Due to the small number of students…

The social work academic community is currently considering and critiquing the idea of evidence-based practice (EBP). Given the vital part that practicum education plays in the social work profession, understanding the views of field instructors on this subject is essential. The George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University…

Pre-licensure, graduate intervention specialist majors participated in an introductory assignment, reporting their reactions to ten hours with an individual who had a moderate to intense disability. Research questions included: 1) How do pre-licensure, graduate students connect theory to practice? 2) What was it about the pre-licensure, graduate…

This article investigates the impact of supervisors' racial and ethnic origins on the exploration of multicultural competencies in clinical supervision. Data were collected from 102 practicum and internship students in three different counsellor education programs. Supervision conversations centring on multicultural awareness, skills, and…