Presents an evaluation of the use of videoconferencing in learning and teaching in an undergraduate degree program for student teachers in the United Kingdom. Students observed naturalistic teaching practices in a primary school and results of interviews with students and teachers were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the videoconferencing…

Government policy assumes that modernization and remodelling will be effective as external intervention mechanisms to improve job satisfaction. Based on data collected as part of the evaluation of the "Transforming the School Workforce Pathfinder Project", an argument is presented here which suggests that internal management models may…

Mentoring has traditionally focused on trainees and newly qualified teachers (NQTs). There is no established, effective mentoring procedure to help teachers who have worked for longer periods of time (one or more years in the classroom) and who are still not coping after all available help has been offered. This study shows that as a result of…

Recent research suggests that the majority of primary school teachers in the UK believe that the purpose of teaching art and design is to develop skills associated with creativity, communication and expression. This article is based on research into the attitudes held by primary school pupils towards making art. The reflective nature of many of…

Despite an apparent renaissance of interest in the creative and emotional in English education there remains a paucity of research in the province of teacher interpretations of pupils' creative, "affective", and imaginative activity. Based on the findings of an Ed D study conducted in six primary schools in central England, the genesis…

This article reports on an investigation of the teaching of music by non-music specialists in the primary school. In particular, it examines attitudes to teaching music, factors affecting teachers' confidence, the relationship between confidence and training, support for music teaching, teaching experience and musical background. The…

Explores gender questions about males teaching elementary school, by talking with male student-teachers. Finds that the current public discourse "masculinizes" elementary education. (PA)

Under the guidelines for Initial Teacher Training, all potential primary teachers are required to learn about teaching religious education. However, religious education is not a high priority on ITT programmes and trainees may often have little introduction to it. Given the sensitive nature of religious education, what is the best way to prepare…

This paper adopts a social constructionist position on assessment, specifically that it can never be free of the social conditions in which it is practiced. As such, we explore two aspects of classroom interactions which contribute to and shape the learning environments in which assessment takes place. By drawing on interviews carried out with 51…

Background: Although much has been written about the ways in which new technology might transform educational practice, particularly in the area of literacy learning, there is relatively little empirical work that explores the possibilities and problems--or even what such a transformation might look like in the classroom. 3D virtual worlds offer a…

The matter of the preparation of teachers for the schools of this country is of so great importance that any information which may contribute to the knowledge of the most effective ways of doing it is eagerly sought by those directly interested in the subject. The example of methods used in other countries is especially helpful. For this reason;…

Reviews the following books on early childhood education: (1) "Structural Adjustment Policy and the Child in India. Proceedings of a Seminar held in Madras on December 23, 1992" (M. S. Swaminathan Research Institute); (2) "Classroom Pedagogy and Primary Practice" (David McNamara); and (3) "The Early Years: Laying the…

Reports responses by new primary and secondary teachers to two questionnaires designed to elicit their views about the extent they felt their training had prepared them for their first post. Reveals a wide range of differences between the two groups, and discusses them in light of training patterns. (DSK)

Describes the general framework of the teacher training system and its recent reform in Japan. Reviews the present system of Japanese teacher education, summarizes the current reforms of teacher education in Japan, and explores various educational problems. Evaluates the potential of Japanese restructuring. (CMK)

Explores the tension between subject knowledge and pedagogic content knowledge in elementary teacher education by documenting students' and inservice teachers' learning about forces in the context of floating and sinking. Describes significant features of the learning process and examines subject-specific aspects of learning by demonstrating how…