Agricultural mechanics instruction is a long-standing and significant part of secondary agricultural education. Similar to the broader agricultural industry, agricultural mechanics instruction is in a constant state of dynamic change. Educators must be proactive to ensure agricultural mechanics curriculum retains its relevance within this changing…

A study used Kolb's Learning Style Inventory to assess the learning styles and computer training preferences of 200 extension personnel listed in the Iowa State University Extension Directory (184 respondents). It found that 29% had a converger-type learning style; 26% a diverger style; 25% an accommodator style; and 20% an assimilator style. (JOW)

During the last quarter of a century, it became abundantly clear that the desired reforms in science teaching and learning could not be accomplished without significant professional development of in-service science teachers. Yet, there was a dearth of effective professional development models that could lead to the kind of instructional reforms…

Shows how a mastery teaching program was applied to one Iowa school district to improve and evaluate teacher performance. Emphasizes the principal's role in such a program. (JW)

An Iowa project working with elementary students' attitudes toward people with disabilities could be effectively revamped as a teacher inservice program involving discrimination activities, group discussions, films, orientation and observation videos, an overview of Public Law 94-142, and information about support service agencies. Includes 11…

A survey of personnel from eight selected agencies or groups who were or who might be responsible for providing inservice education for vocational agriculture instructors in Iowa indicated that the vocational agriculture instructors and the university research and teaching staff should be equally responsible for determining the goals and…

A survey of Iowa school districts found that the provision of special educational services and other aspects of gifted education was highly correlated with the availability of related inservice teacher education. (MSE)

In a survey conducted in Iowa, 136 teachers responded to a 52-item questionnaire to evaluate energy education workshops they attended, identify beliefs and practices concerning energy education, and identify perceived knowledge needed in energy education. Materials to create more student involvement in lessons was the top-rated need. (MNS)

Study examined the effects of staff development specialists, study group teams, and peer coaching teams on implementation of classroom cooperative learning. Staff development was the most significant influence. The article recommends careful selection of peer coaching partners, adequate time for study group meetings, and set agendas for study…

Reports on the effect of commercially and locally produced televised science materials used in an inservice program on attitudes of 138 elementary teachers toward science teaching. Indicates materials are more effective for teachers with few college science credits or little participation in previous inservice programs. (DS)

This study analyzed changes in attitude or behavior of Iowa industrial technology teachers concerning hearing conservation in their classes, between 1985 when a hearing conservation program was implemented and several years later. Results showed that small inroads have been made but the majority of teachers were still not using hearing…

This article explores the global education controversy by examining challenges made on three global education programs; discusses the implications of the challenges for teacher educators in preservice, inservice, and graduate programs; and presents practical suggestions to help teacher educators enhance the quality of the educational process. (SM)

Describes efforts in the reform of science education, noting the importance of changing preservice and in-service teacher education. The article examines three national systemic reform efforts and discusses implementation efforts in Iowa. It also discusses Iowa's teacher preparation and offers assessment information arising from Iowa's efforts.…

Recent research as well as local, state, and national mandates promote an increased role of technology in teaching and learning. In response to this call, K-12 institutions and colleges of education are faced with preparing current and future teachers to teach with technology. The current models of inservice and preservice teacher preparation with…