Discusses India's Special Orientation Programme for Primary School Teachers (SOPT), a new technology used to train large numbers of teachers so that the losses in transmission inherent in the "cascade model" are avoided. Responses from teachers and trainers show there is considerable potential for the exploitation of this technology.…

After preparing their own teaching portfolios, four Georgia Southern University instructors designed a study to investigate what happens when neither follow-up workshops nor mentoring are provided by the institution. Results indicate that without institutional support, especially mentoring, faculty use teaching portfolios primarily for tenure and…

Addresses the increasingly critical need for accountability in English language teacher preparation. The English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) profession has fallen short in recent years and will continue to do so without better coordination of professional development in both academic preservice settings and in English-Language-Teaching (ELT)…

Describes a study conducted in a core French methodology course, designed for generalist core French teachers. Describes the challenges generalist core French teachers face, and examines the ways in which students evolved and changed as professionals and as educators during the course. (Author/VWL)

Examines a seven-year study at the University of Ottawa (Canada) which studied the impact of instructional consultation on college teaching. The study found faculty who sought individual consultation services (n=99) were representative of the faculty at large and that consultation services resulted in significantly improved student ratings,…

Carthage College (Wisconsin) reports on the practical/philosophical consideration underlying a decision to tutor faculty in using new technologies. Applying lessons learned through student computer labs, the college initiated a faculty/staff tutoring program which used the faculty's own office desktop computers. By taking a very personalized…

Explores the relationship between attitudes toward computers and computer use, as well as the most effective types of training for faculty. Increasing faculty competence will encourage computer use in the classroom. Ideally, training should be designed for each individual's level of anxiety, liking, and confidence when using computers. Encouraging…

An interview with educator and author Alfie Kohn discusses the need to stop confusing better learning with higher test scores; how progressive education helps children learn to think for themselves; professional development that appeals to teachers' long-term goals for their students; and restructuring education so teachers can ask for help,…

Discussion of the research/practice gap in higher education suggests the importance of considering the forces influencing new faculty and researchers, including tenure and promotion policies and practices, institutional socialization, disciplinary culture, journal editors, and senior scholars. Offers suggestions for bridging the gap between new…

Surveys New Hampshire faculty regarding their perceptions of the importance of and satisfaction with faculty development activities specific to pedagogy. Findings suggest possibly low general faculty priority for pedagogy, greater interest in teaching improvement by younger and mid-career faculty, differing views from faculty and administrators,…

Describes Kean University's new faculty mentoring program. Delineates a four-component model: new faculty are assigned to a qualified mentor, protege-mentor pairs are required to have regular developmental meetings, mentors and mentees must observe the other's class, and the mentors and mentees participate in a group dialogue. Provides…

College faculty are pressured to use technology to improve teaching and achieve institutional goals but resist technology due to lack of time, funds, confidence, support staff, or accessibility. Over 30 concrete suggestions are offered for integrating technology into professional and teaching situations, including getting started, streamlining…

Reports on the impact of being in a Professional Development Schools network on seven Utah schools (four elementary, one junior, and two high schools) over five years. Identifies and analyzes the catalysts that promoted teachers' professional development and school reform, as well as the road blocks to effective reform. (SR)

Presents the position statement of the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science (AETS) on knowledge standards for science teacher educators. Defines who should be considered as science teacher educators and lists a set of six guidelines related to knowledge standards. (DDR)

Graduate programs designed to prepare students for college teaching are a relatively new phenomenon, and little is known about their impact. However, enough is known to issue two challenges to traditional forms of graduate preparation: (1) all prospective college teachers should have access to such a program; and (2) all departments offering…