Presents suggestions for the implementation of constructivist teaching-learning strategies. Discusses the following topics: teacher's role; classroom management; planning; pedagogic skills, including negotiation and group work; and assessment. (JRH)

This paper describes the rationale for and progress in a substantial research project that aims to develop an understanding of science teachers' pedagogical content knowledge. The background to and purposes for the project are explained. Related projects that study pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) are also described. Approaches to identifying…

The perceptions of 44 Australian and 81 American senior elementary student teachers were compared to determine how their personal attributes, their teacher education programs, and their student teaching experiences influenced their abilities to perform 35 teaching competencies. Comparisons between the two groups revealed that American students had…

In coming to better value teachers' knowledge and practice, there is a need to be able to articulate and document what teachers know and are able to do. This is central in coming to understand pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). This paper presents a working understanding of PCK as it has emerged through a research project and describes the…

Although museums are considered optimal venues for informal learning, this study concludes that most school classes visiting museums are restricted and structured, teachers use mainly task-orientated teaching practices, and the museum activities are rarely linked to topics being studied at school. A research-based framework to guide teachers in…

Teacher skill and knowledge-based pay plans in education could be related to major demarcation points in teacher career development. To illustrate the approach, career ladder programs in three U.S. districts and a pay system in Australia are described. Each plan includes career stages that qualify for pay increments. (SLD)

Argues that Australian inservice education policies have unintentionally controlled and deskilled teachers. Focuses on Queensland, Australia, from 1973 to 1986. Claims teacher managerial skills are emphasized over curricular and instructional skills. Contends that teachers' professional development consequently suffers. Premises arguments on…

Investigates specific strategies and activities used by two chemistry teachers to enhance student understanding of chemistry at the 11th- and 12fth-grade levels. Discusses teacher characteristics, class activities, classroom management, and monitoring for understanding. (YP)

A review of the research indicates that the interface between the findings from research on teaching and staff development of teachers is an important but neglected one. An improvement in teaching skills calls for an interactive or collaborative mode of professional development which is based on classroom interests and the needs of teachers, with…

After brief historical and demographic information on Australia's changing societal patterns, this paper discusses some recent research in South Australia related to the expectations of parents and early childhood teachers concerning the purposes of preschooling and early schooling. A questionnaire, designed for both parents and teachers, was sent…

Surveyed and interviewed Australian preservice home economics teachers who volunteered to teach food preparation skills to disadvantaged youth in detention centers. Results indicated that preservice teachers considered the detention center context a worthwhile site for further developing existing teacher competencies, providing them with…

Investigated field-based teacher educators' perceptions of their contribution to preservice teachers' personal-professional development. Focus groups data indicated that respondents perceived wisdom, authenticity, and passion as particularly valuable in working with student teachers. Their work with student teachers constitutes a transformative…

Two samples of recipients of teaching awards were surveyed in 2002. The first comprised educators from early childhood, primary, secondary, TAFE, and universities who had received inaugural New South Wales (Australia) Minister for Education and Training and Australian College of Educators Quality Teaching Awards in 2001. The second sample…

This paper argues that evaluation of advanced skills in teaching should be based on pedagogical content knowledge that good teachers should have but nonteachers in the discipline might not. Several schemes used in Victoria (Australia) for appraisal of advanced teaching skills are examined, and an alternative to competency-based approaches is…

The absence of a professional career structure for teachers is not a new problem. In 1989, Australian unions, employers, and governments negotiated the Advanced Skills Teacher (AST) classification. Three levels of AST status involving salary increases were proposed to offer teachers a professional career path in teaching comparable in status to…