Discusses the relationship between educational theory and teacher professional knowledge. The paper presents eight criteria specifying types of educational inquiry processes which teacher educators and educational researchers must foster as a context for their activities. (SM)

The results of a survey conducted on the background, education, attitudes, and practices of North Carolina's elementary teachers to develop a statewide inservice program are presented. Elementary teachers' perceptions of teaching language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science; use of instructional materials; and experiences and needs for…

Using the Personal Teaching Efficacy Scale, a study investigated the comparative efficacy of six groups of educators with varying levels of experience. Efficacy scores were higher for experienced educators in some simulated classroom situations and for preservice students in others. No pattern of situation types resulted in differences among the…

Illustrates the nature of postlesson discussions between experienced and novice secondary teachers during an early field experience. Differences in the discussions suggest that the novices experienced significant variations in the substance and quality of field-based activities intended to help them develop teaching competence. (Author/SM)

Recommends improving preservice teacher assessment by providing multiple forms of on-campus laboratory experiences (e.g., microteaching, reflective teaching, simulations) that offer job-related tasks. Performance on the tasks could be assessed at multiple points and for various purposes (selecting preservice teachers and student teachers and…

Reports a study of the different sources of influence on educational beliefs and values of teacher candidates during initial professional socialization experiences. Surveys and interviews with teacher candidates and educators in 29 teacher training institutions indicated student teaching and cooperating teachers were the most important influences.…

The Broken Hill School of the Air provides distance education to isolated rural students in the far west of New South Wales (Australia). Services include correspondence study, radio lessons, home visits, and minischool meetings. A student teacher describes his 10-week experience with Broken Hill, teaching 15 students in grade 5-6. (SV)

Argues that case studies can be used for cooperative learning activities to nurture reflective practice in preservice music teachers. The case studies are fictional narratives illustrating various teaching styles and representative situations. Includes examples of case studies, students' responses, and follow-up activities. (MJP)

Discusses using Donna Haraway's concept of affinity and affinity politics as a foundation for structuring collaborative pedagogy and feminist syllabi. Outlines the goals and assumptions of affinity-based pedagogy, and relates classroom experiences that illustrate its functioning. Notes the lessons that both students and teachers have taken away…

Presents findings from a survey of avocational teachers at the beginning and end of a three-year project to recruit and prepare volunteer teachers for a religious school. Reveals that participants joined to improve their children's education and enhance their own Jewish learning, and that the quality of the school improved. (DSK)

Finds that extended practicum experiences in elementary science teaching positively increases preservice science elementary teachers' (n=64) personal science-teaching-efficacy beliefs. Contains 17 references. (WRM)

Discusses elementary teacher education in Brazil, examining problems teacher educators face (e.g., lack of direct communication between theoretical studies and the practical world and lack of inclusion of practical knowledge and expertise developed by successful teachers). Current educational policies are discussed, looking at: implementation of a…

This article reports perceptions of a first-year teacher of students with learning disabilities. First-year challenges are described, as well as views on assessment, accountability, and inclusion. Recommendations are made for new teachers and steps that teacher educators, school administrators, and experienced teachers can take to ensure the…

Finland's Reformative In-Service Education for Teachers was a one-year program that joined experienced and novice teachers in promoting change. Research on the resulting development of teachers' cognitions and on factors crucial to that development highlighted changes in beginners' craft knowledge concerning students, learning, knowledge, and…

Examines the question of Russian teachers' attitudes toward the profession and toward the work in a specific educational institution. Finds that teachers' sense of social well-being results from the perception of their social position, whereas their sense of professional well-being is discussed in terms of self-assessment of personal and…