Penrose tile patterns are created using regular pentagon-based rhombi. Provides instructions for assembling Penrose patterns, plus activities for secondary school students and preservice elementary teachers. Compares the two-dimensional process of placing pattern blocks to form Penrose patterns to the symmetries of crystals formed in nature.…

This paper deals with an attempt to organize a university research-based course designed to promote inservice primary teachers' professional development in environmental education. The various problems that arise in the running of such a course are identified, and some suggestions for their resolution are offered. (LZ/Author)

Discusses the Computer Mentor Program, a collaborative effort that developed and evaluated a model for staff development that fosters effective use of computers by beginning teachers. Evaluation indicated that both mentors and proteges developed increased knowledge of computer applications and that proteges made more extensive and varied use of…

Briefly describes a workshop model developed by the Texas Learning Technology Group to educate teachers about technology uses in the science curriculum. Highlights include hands-on experience, cooperative small group activities, print and electronic courseware, and implementation strategies. (LRW)

Describes a school which brought technology online gradually and, after five years, offered a wide range of state-of-the-art technologies for faculty, staff, and students. New program implementation, faculty inservice projects, funding, and attitude changes are discussed; and examples of student projects are presented. (SLW)

Suggests using lesson plans in a lesson series as a means of reflection to help inexperienced or preservice teachers utilize their experience to effect self-development in teaching. The author discusses preparation of reflective lesson plans and demonstrates their use in effecting teaching improvement. (11 references) (CK)

Describes efforts in The Netherlands to reform school curriculum, integrate information technology into the new curriculum, and implement new approaches to teacher support and inservice simultaneously, focusing on evaluation of and reactions to some of the innovative approaches to teacher support and inservice. (SM)

Describes and analyzes attitudes of two Portuguese elementary teachers toward mathematics, mathematics teaching, and use of computers in instruction. Semistructured interviews and questionnaires, before and after an inservice LOGO computer course, showed that both teachers changed their attitude, but only one implemented her ideas in teaching. (20…

Describes six alternative assessment models presented in the Illinois Science Teachers Association's alternative assessment handbook designed primarily for teacher inservice sessions. Discusses teacher preparation for use of alternative assessment. (LZ)

The mechanisms by which the health education profession is seeking to promote increased competency, visibility, marketability, and quality among practitioners include professional preparation in health education, certification by examination, and recertification. To clarify key concepts in health education credentialing, the article discusses…

This review provides a framework for evaluating professional development programs designed to enhance the education of students with disabilities. Common components of three successful professional development programs are considered, with attention to connecting theory and practice, involving teachers in collaborative and supportive roles, and…

Asserts that many who work in elementary education consider social studies to be the core of the curriculum. Focuses on the use of social studies as a vehicle for curricular and instructional change, particularly in ways that promote caring and inclusion. (CFR)

Teacher education (TE) refers too infrequently to computer related technology. Much computer-related TE is simulated and delivered by non-teacher educators. The paper discusses the lack of integration between information technology (IT) and TE, noting that synergy rather than fragmentation is needed among people involved with IT and TE. (SM)

Reports a study that examined eight Canadian elementary schools that were implementing cooperative learning, describing the context and design of the cooperative learning project, identifying nine common concerns of elementary teachers beginning to implement cooperative learning, offering suggestions to staff developers for supporting teachers,…

Offers a model for raising the level of technology expertise of K-8 classroom teachers based on a project at the University of Denver (Colorado) that sought to integrate computers with classroom curriculum, develop new inservice models for computer competency, and increase teachers' computer use. (Author/LRW)