Outlines three major approaches to writing instruction (expressive, cognitive, and social); examines areas in which faculty, employers, and higher education policymakers agree and disagree about necessary writing skills; describes institutional structures that support writing, including writing centers, course offerings,…

Identifies barriers to the improved effectiveness of adjunct faculty teaching of adult learners. Addresses three categories of skills and attributes essential for the adult educator: interpersonal skills, instructional planning skills, and teaching and learning transaction skills. Considers on-the-job training, in-service training, and graduate…

A multidisciplinary faculty development project at Illinois State University increased faculty expertise about aging, integrated faculty knowledge into undergraduate courses, produced 50 instructional units, increased student knowledge about the rural elderly, generated faculty research on minority and poor elderly, established a multidisciplinary…

A survey of instructional development practitioners at 51 Canadian universities investigated the perceived potential of 36 specific practices for improving teaching. Greatest potential was seen in faculty incentives (appointment, tenure, promotion). Administrator support of effective teaching was viewed as important, as were support structures…

Describes strategies one teacher educator uses in an ethnic studies course designed to prepare teachers for the future (which is predicted to have more minority students and fewer minority teachers). Multicultural educational experiences are essential so teachers can gain social science, pedagogical, and subject matter content knowledge about…

Discusses the use of student assessment methods other than standardized tests. Topics addressed include the use of technology in assessment; performance-based assessment; the use of video; issues of technological equity; writing portfolios; and professional development to change educators' views of assessment. Five recent national studies on…

This article discusses benefits and preconditions associated with University of Northern Colorado's Preservice Elementary Science/Mathematics Project. With college faculty, on-campus teaching fellows (experienced elementary and middle school teachers) revise, deliver, and evaluate science and math content and pedagogy courses; model effective…

Four particularly troublesome problems for beginning teachers are imitation, isolation, transfer, and teaching technique. The structure of many teacher education programs contributes to such problems. The article describes the changes in the teacher education program at the Catholic University of America to overcome such problems. (SM)

Describes reforms at a Bronx intermediate school which registered large gains in students' comprehension performance. The success depended on active, engaged learning, intensive assistance for low achievers, personal development of students, coordination of instruction, availability of instructional support personnel, outstanding leadership, and…

Advocates teaching constitutional history and principles to middle school students in accordance with the 1988 California History-Social Science Framework. Reports findings of a survey of 118 California middle school and high school teachers that revealed a need for improved teacher knowledge about the U.S. Constitution. Recommends steps to ensure…

An award-winning program designed to increase the number of beginning teachers in urban schools, support experienced teachers functioning as mentors, and develop inservice and preservice teachers' interactive teaching practices has three components: developing a professional development school, a teacher observation system, and study groups…

A survey of 35 Illinois College of Optometry faculty investigated perceived barriers to scholarly activity, including time management, communication skills, knowledge of research design and statistics, computer literacy, institutional support, use of human or material resources, and library resource skills. A majority felt their skills were…

The 1990s literature and the weight of John Goodlad's research show that faculties of education have failed to contribute to educational reform. Teacher-education programs should advance a transformative approach to teaching that is responsive to student diversity and aligned with K-12 education reform. Questions of mission, pedagogy,…

A South African study of 29 college and university faculty in varying disciplines investigated differences and commonalities of two teaching strategies, collaborative and cooperative learning. Seven common problem areas emerged, and solutions are examined, including faculty development within the discipline, curriculum development, and…

Discusses the findings of a national survey designed to gather descriptive information on the pre- and inservice education of French immersion teachers in Canada and to determine their future professional development needs. Conclusions are discussed in relation to the research literature on professional development. (34 references) (Author/CK)