In its life-time, the profession of language teaching has undergone many changes. Early attempts at language teaching almost entirely lacked a theory base. In the 20th century, however, two sets of language teaching methods emerged; the first set borrowed theories from psychology, linguistics, and sociolinguistics whereas the second set was based…

Preservice teacher education curriculum and instruction were surveyed to reveal the state of the art, to identify issues and problems, and to submit suggestions for improvement. Part I, "The Teacher Education Curriculum," presents an overview of current practice in the preservice curriculum. It considers both the general and professional education…

This book provides an account of one teacher educator who serves as a model reflective practitioner for her teacher education students. Using her life experiences, her own teaching journals, and her students' journals and assignments, the book describes her efforts to implement a sociocultural approach to teacher education based on the work of…

Discusses the "state of the art" of second language teacher education through a review of recent research and presents an overview of current perspectives on the field's knowledge base. Concludes with a proposal for a reflective approach to the preparation of second language teachers that draws from the literature review. (Author/VWL)

Reviews research on pedagogical, managerial, and organizational aspects of effective teaching, highlighting teaching effects, models, and artistry. Effective teaching depends highly on the nature of educational outcomes and goals; requires central qualities, skills, and behaviors; demands an extensive repertoire of teaching styles; and is linked…

This paper discusses various aspects of conceptual change instruction and research related to conceptual change strategies. The role played by teachers in the conceptual change process has been neglected in the research and understanding that role requires that: (1) the Conceptual Change Model of Posner provide a reasonable framework for thinking…

The question explored in this report is whether electronic networks are effective tools for creating and sustaining reflective teacher communities. Over the past two decades, computer mediated communication (CMC) technologies have been used in a variety of efforts aimed at fostering teacher learning and teacher collaboration. A study sought to…

Throughout the literature, teacher education is often described as being based on a specific tradition, paradigm, or agenda. Examples of these descriptions include: behavioristic, personalistic, inquiry-oriented, social reconstructionist, academic, developmentalist, and social-efficiency. These approaches are closely linked to the "beliefs and…

This paper examines several questions about reflective thinking and its application in education as a way of extending the applications of the concept. An early section offers background on reflection from dictionary definitions and from philosophers such as John Locke and John Dewey. The next section examines educational practice and reflective…

This paper reviews the use of metaphor analysis as a research tool in education, specifically second or foreign language (L2/FL) education, recommending the application of sociocultural theory as a coherent framework to explain how L2/FL teachers construct metaphorical conceptualizations of their profession. It presents examples from a study…

Successful adult students employ strategies to learn, and effective adult education programs attend to the development of learning by enabling students to study learning processes in addition to content. Good learners have the ability to identify goals and the steps required to achieve them, identify the strengths of their own learning, actively…

Changes in preservice teachers' level of reflective thinking over a three-quarter period were explored by analyzing their journal entries on readings and field experiences. Even without specific reflection training, levels of reflection increased significantly due to simply asking preservice teachers to reflect. However, only one participant…

The intent of this paper is to open for consideration the relationship between metacognition and the promotion of conceptual change within the classroom. This goal is achieved through a brief description of present research by the authors, drawing from the existing literature a summary of what is meant by conceptual change learning, defining the…

Describes the development of a course at Bell College (Hamilton, Scotland) leading to teaching qualifications for college lecturers. Reviews theoretical and philosophical considerations related to teacher education in general, including technicism, reflective practice, and professional competence. Explores strategic issues for development of such…

Explores the idea of critically reflective teaching in general, and in particular, teacher decision-making and classroom assessment. Asserts that in community college settings-the ultimate in diverse, open-entry, mixed-ability classrooms-critical reflection on core assumptions can ground teachers in a moral, intellectual, and political vision of…