Discusses an evaluation of the Comprehensive Teacher Institute, an innovative, multicultural, urban teacher preparation program. Reflections by teachers who completed the program indicated that one of the most important contributions to their professional development was fostering a network of colleagues and university faculty who continued to…

Preservice teachers' written case analyses were examined to determine how students reasoned about four dilemmas. Examination of the analyses suggested that the developmental nature of learning to teach was reflected in students' analyses of events embedded in cases. The case method provided opportunities to further encourage development of…

Reports the effectiveness of nine in-service summer institutes designed to improve geography instruction. Discusses strengths and weaknesses of the workshops and the institutes' long-term effectiveness. Finds that participants not only made substantive changes in how they taught geography, but also conducted high-level inservice programs. (CFR)

Reports on a follow-up study of teachers in a course to meet certification requirements. Entry and exit questionnaires indicated that teachers' personal computer skills increased and that their integration of computers into instructional practice was extended by the course, which directly affected their outlook on technology use. (SM)

Studied which of the formats for advanced science instruction, Advanced Placement (AP) or "honors," is more effective at fostering communication between educators and stimulating their professional development. Interviews (n=18) and mailed surveys (847 responses) provided data. Among the conclusions are that teachers believed the AP…

A multimethod study encouraged teachers, aided by supervisors, to examine their own teaching practices by viewing and discussing videotapes of their interactions with students. Results with four elementary school teachers, eight supervisors, and two observers indicate that the approach may facilitate teacher change and enhance effectiveness. (SLD)

Describes a summer institute, created through an urban university and urban Professional Development School partnership, that benefited second through fifth-grade students, but most notably influenced the professional development of their teachers. Analysis of teachers' journals indicate that teachers perceived their involvement in the supportive,…

Investigated changes over four years for three elementary teachers participating in Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), which emphasized students' mathematical thinking and supported teachers through workshops, mentoring, and collaboration. Interviews and observations indicated that CGI allowed teachers to engage in ongoing practical inquiry…

Staff Development for Pedagogues in Bilingual Math and Science provided two thematically-based workshops to 40 New York City science teachers who taught students of limited English proficiency (LEP) citywide. Workshops emphasized successful teaching strategies as well as psychological aspects involved in teaching LEP students. The project also…

The multimedia workstation described here serves as an information resource center for teachers and others who are responsible for the education of children from ethnically and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The changing nature of student populations requires that all teachers become knowledgeable about the diverse cultural backgrounds of…

This case study documents one graduate student's reflections on her personal and professional development as a teacher as part of a portfolio project. Her story describes how she has blended a teaching philosophy that combines the traditional pedagogy of her own early education with her subsequent experiences as a student and as a teacher using…

This paper reports on a strategy for encouraging preservice teachers to use reflective techniques when developing lesson plans. A focus on reflective practice incorporates and integrates the minimal teaching competencies required by West Virginia State Teacher Certification. Practicum students must provide evidence demonstrating at least minimal…

This study describes the emerging themes and issues that impact on learning to teach science. The study examined whether the "language of schooling" that novices have been exposed to conflicts with the actual demands of practice, and how this conflict is resolved. Study participants were 14 Australian science graduates who had completed…

This study examined teachers' use of professional time when not directly with students, describing alternative time use in Germany and Japan. The study involved 21 German, Japanese, and U.S. elementary schools. Researchers collected background information on teachers' professional lives and conducted case studies of teachers' daily work, examining…

The Training of Trainers (ToT) Evaluation investigated the efficacy of the High/Scope model for improving the quality of early childhood programs on a national scale. To address this question, the High/Scope Foundation undertook a multimethod evaluation that collected anecdotal records from the consultants and 793 participants in 40 ToT projects,…