Although challenged by some, the student teaching experience continues to be the most extensive, and in the eyes of most educators, the most important experience in the preparation of teachers. Given the importance of the student teaching experience, it behooves teacher educators to carefully examine student teaching to determine ways to improve…

Using three instances from elementary school teaching experience, the paper examines the ways in which subject matter knowledge influences pedagogical thinking. It is proposed that subject matter knowledge creates two major problems for teachers. First, it results in an explosion of the curricular landscape, for if teachers know subject matter…

A University of Minnesota model for low incidence preservice special education teacher training is focused on visual impairment education and requires completion of four graduate level components for licensure. This model attempts to be flexible and address the needs of the field in providing qualified personnel that will remain in local school…

It is widely accepted that laboratory experiences are both necessary and worthwhile for preservice teacher education. Research has shown little evidence of what exactly happens during student teaching, although studies have illuminated roles and objectives. Guidance in or supervision of field experiences for student teachers often falls primarily…

An effective junior-year student teaching program in elementary education was designed that combines application of theory learned in methods courses with practical school experience. The objective was to prepare education majors for student teaching and to give them an opportunity to evaluate themselves and the prospects of a teaching career.…

A group supervision component is an integral part of the Wheelock College Graduate Program for teacher interns who work with special needs children. The group meetings evolved in response to four observed developments: (1) Common issues characterized the role of the intern regardless of school placement; (2) Interns had common learning needs; (3)…

Volume one of a two-volume report on a project designed to study the relationship between vocational teacher technical competencies and occupational experience factors, this document contains a national literature and research review pertinent to the topic. The review findings were summarized and are presented in the following format: a basis and…

The Standards and Assessment Work Group in Wisconsin developed an assessment framework for performance based teacher licensure. They determined assessment criteria, measurement categories, and contexts for assessing readiness for teaching. The License and Career Stages Work Group devised a licensure system to further enhance the quality of…

This monograph discusses the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program, a new vision of doctoral education that seeks to broaden the traditional preparation of students who become faculty members. Chapter 1 reviews the four phases of the program, beginning with phase 1 (1993-96) to phase 4 (1999-2002). The program involves a group of cooperating…

This serial issue contains eight articles all on the theme of "Becoming Teacher Researchers.""Becoming a Network of Teacher Researchers" (Scott Christian) discusses how portfolios of classroom work provide documentation and encourage more systematic teacher research involving established research techniques. "Identifying…

Describes research on early experiences (reality shock) of young teachers at the beginning of their careers, indicating roots of these experiences. Also describes teacher training courses (focusing on pre-service training for physics teachers and in-service training for new teachers) designed to help teachers cope with reality shock and its…

Describes advantages and disadvantages of teaching weekend nursing courses at Gloucester County Community College, Sewell, N.J., incorporating the content of the four-semester weekday associate degree nursing program into a Saturday-Sunday semester and trimester schedule. (MF)

Discusses the results of two questionnaires given to two groups of newly certified primary teachers in England. The cohorts answered questions concerning the training they had received and, 20 weeks into their new jobs, the nature of the demands they had experienced. Includes statistical and tabular data. (MJP)

Reviews one teacher's experiences teaching sexuality issues within the context of a second-year social and cultural geography course. Considers the complex issues that surround teaching about sexuality and "coming out" as a homosexual teacher or tutor. Includes a brief description of materials useful for teaching sexual geographies. (MJP)

Describes a pilot preservice teacher preparation program at an Austin (Texas) middle school. The program focused on teaching reflection to interns. Intern data formed the basis of a conceptual model that describes four forms of reflective activity (critical observation, reflection-on-action, reflection-in-action, and purposeful change) and…