Describes a project in the English Language Department of St. Andrew's College (Scotland) that was developed as part of the SPRITE initiative to increase the use of information technology in teacher training programs. Background for the SPRITE initiative is presented; and a consultancy model for staff development is explained. (Contains 18…

The paper summarizes key features of teacher knowledge that emerge from recent research, considering their possible implications for teacher training. It argues for a more prominent role for research in the evaluation and development of teachers' professional education. (SM)

An alternative to traditional student teaching uses the philosophy proposed by the Holmes Group. Professional development teams, under the leadership of teacher educators from the University of Kentucky, provided supervision for prospective teachers in a master's program and jointly participated in professional development activities. (MDH)

A summer teacher education program at the University of North Carolina (Charlotte) focused on the effective instructional accommodation of mainstreamed students with mild disabilities. The program provided the regular education student teachers with an overview of special education, then observational experiences, and finally typical student…

Presents a first-hand account of an experience in team teaching a methods course in physical education teacher education, focusing on the conceptualization and implementation of reflective teaching in physical education. The paper offers data from preservice teachers' journals and observations and recollections of in-class discussions. (SM)

Grade point average, grades in departmental and other courses, and evaluations by cooperating teachers for 160 agricultural education graduates at Ohio State University showed grades were higher in departmental courses; 90 percent received state certification; over 48 percent did not enter teaching; certification status and grades in student…

The reflective practices of four student teachers in a Canadian suburb were studied as they undertook an extended practicum. The experiences of one of these students illustrate an alternative way of thinking about the nature of knowledge construction. Central to this alternative is the difference between an incidental and a thematic rendering of…

Offers (from the perspective of a first-year teacher) five guidelines to student teachers to help make their student teaching semester more useful and enjoyable. Includes a response from a veteran English teacher. (SR)

A survey of 23 Canadian student teachers in conventional placements or professional-development schools (PDS) found that their practica had taught them about curriculum, pupils and pupil-teacher interactions, discipline and classroom management, and the teaching profession. Compared to others, PDS student teachers relied more on weekly seminars…

Reports a 2-year study of a preservice program that uses both emergency permit teaching and traditional student teaching as the culminating field experience, investigating traditional and emergency students' perceptions of their methods of professional preparation. Data from student teacher surveys indicated that respondents were largely satisfied…

Examined a preservice middle school mathematics teachers' emerging practice, investigating the nature of classroom discourse and its role in her development while student teaching. Early classroom discourse mediated her teaching toward a traditional paradigm of giving information. Ultimately, experiencing the power and diversity of students' ideas…

Describes the evolution of progressive indicators emphasizing the developmental nature of successful student teaching. Coding of dialogue with experienced cooperating teachers about student teacher successes and failures resulted in 64 indicators. These were matched with recent Texas teacher proficiencies. Locally-generated indicators fell into…

This Australian study investigated student teachers' beliefs about teaching before and after their student teaching experiences. Survey results indicated that the orientations to teaching of most student teachers remained unchanged, through there were significant changes in the beliefs of some students. Supervising teachers' beliefs affected…

Reviews ideas about critical reflection in relation to the student teaching experience and art teacher preparation. Investigates the use of writing as a means for reflection in a study analyzing 19 final reflection essays in order to determine the role of reflection in student teachers' perceptions of their professional development. (CMK)

Presents an introduction by the journal editor to a special issue that features the work of faculty and students at Queen's University of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, who were involved in restructuring their teacher-preparation program. At the heart of the restructuring was the specific goal of emphasizing early fieldwork experiences. (SM)