Current interest in teacher competence often neglects theory about how teaching knowledge is acquired. Describes an approach to learning to teach, identifying nine dimensions of teaching and their hierarchically organized criterial statements, and a method of assessing teaching competence using performance indicators contained in the first two…

A study of the pedagogical content knowledge of 52 teachers focused on the teaching of the Bible in Israel and in Jewish schools outside Israel. Findings suggest that teachers' conceptions of students and of the educational subject matter are frequently inconsistent. Teachers' pedagogical knowledge usually involves tensions between the two…

Examines the essential characteristics of engineering teachers' pedagogical content knowledge by studying teachers' conceptions of their students' ideas of moment. Finds that although teachers originally appeared to be familiar with their students' conceptions, they were rather astonished by the general pattern of student thinking. (Author/SOE)

Investigates student teachers' understanding of science and their ability to learn what was needed when it was required for teaching purposes. Findings indicate that half the students were able to prepare themselves adequately through independent research with guidance although their initial background knowledge of science was weak. Discusses…

Presents a framework to help direct future research on pedagogical content knowledge in motor skill instruction, providing examples of the types of pedagogical content knowledge collected from experienced teachers and coaches during interviews and teaching observations. The framework comprises two interactive components--information processes and…

Examined the evaluation and implementation of standards-based curricular materials by middle school mathematics teachers over two years. Data from classroom observations, conferences, field notes, surveys, and interviews indicated that teachers' experiences, professional knowledge bases, work contexts, and personal theories on effective teaching…

Introduces a series of papers on new developments in science and mathematics teacher education in Europe, explaining teacher thinking and conceptual change as related to science and mathematics teacher education. The papers emphasize existing conceptions held by student teachers, preservice courses that include the development of student content…

Examines several aspects of a teacher's sense of honor, highlighting: professional honor as members of a group with shared working values; social honor and self-image; scientific and pedagogic knowledge; and relationships with students. The paper concludes by discussing society's changing demands on education and how this affects teaching,…

Determined expert and student physical education teachers' constructivist views of pedagogical content knowledge and their practices while teaching educational games based on the movement approach. Found that both groups of teachers demonstrated an adequate constructivist view of pedagogical content knowledge and that student teachers did not use…

Describes an experiment designed to change prospective teachers' views of what constitutes a good explanation of a mathematics topic, presenting examples of participants' explanations at three stages of the experiment using a "levels of subject-matter understanding" framework, and suggesting that to effectively teach a topic, teachers'…

In this article we present results from a project to develop survey measures of the content knowledge teachers need to teach elementary reading. In areas such as mathematics and science, there has been great interest in the specialized ways teachers need to know a subject to teach it to others -- often referred to as pedagogical content knowledge.…

Good teaching is ultimately deeply and thoroughly grounded in knowledge. The days of the "if you can't do anything else, then teach" mentality are long gone, ushered out due to major changes in knowledge about effective teaching. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education…

The quality of teaching in schools is directly linked to the quality of preservice preparation that teachers receive. This is particularly important in the area of music teacher education, given the unique challenges that classroom music teachers commonly face. This paper reports on research designed to investigate the knowledge and skills that…

Proposals to improve teacher quality often focus on hiring teachers with the right combination of personality, values, and knowledge and skills. The author suggests that although these elements of teacher quality are important, schools also need to pay attention to the conditions of classroom life that can determine teaching quality. She…

Eighty-three teachers across the curriculum were interviewed to explain their views on and approaches to, the teaching of socio-scientific controversial issues to 14-19 year olds, particularly with regard to developments in biomedicine and biotechnology. This study focused on teachers' views on the nature of evidence in controversial issues and…