This paper describes a research-based, Web-delivered context, the Generative Virtual Classroom (GVC), in which student teachers can develop their ability to recognize, describe, analyze, and theorize learning, and it reports findings of three investigations into its use. The learning environment aims to exploit the possibilities of advanced…

The purposes of this research were to: (1) gather information about attributes of methods course teaching that make it more or less effective, (2) compare the perspectives of instructors and students on attributes of effectiveness, and (3) understand more about how university teachers develop an understanding of the thinking of prospective…

Cognitive style indicates how a learner thinks and responds to the environment. Cognitive styles of education majors appear to have an impact on performance in preservice education coursework. This study classifies as field dependent or field independent the cognitive styles of 537 education majors at Auburn University (Montgomery, Alabama) and…

This study was conducted to: (1) devise strategies to enable institutions of higher education to recruit talented students into teacher education; and (2) find the means for enabling "at risk" students to succeed on state mandated competency tests. The study identified and examined correlates of "at risk" and "at…

This study examined selected characteristics of students entering the teaching profession. Student attitudes regarding the teaching profession, student reasons for selecting teaching as a career, and student reasons for attending Northeastern State University (NSU) in Oklahoma were included. Relationships between selected personal and academic…

Results are presented of a study describing an attitude profile of undergraduate students at entry level in a teacher preparation program at West Virginia University. The study sought to identify attitudes and levels of commitment with which young people enter preparation for the profession of teaching. Questions addressed are: (1) What is the…

Five demographic myths related to education pose dangers to educational planning and thinking. The first myth says the return of service personnel after World War II caused the baby boom. Actually the baby boom began in 1939 and was not related to service personnel. The second myth claims the Great Depression decreased the birth and fertility…

Recent advances in technology enable universities to radically expand traditional definitions of both "the classroom" and "distance learning." In this paper, one professor's initial experience using interactive video to teach learning theories to 29 undergraduate education students in 4 locations is analyzed. Class sizes at the individual sites…

This paper addresses the question of whether there are significant differences among students in five certification areas in their attitudes toward educational research and their achievement in educational research coursework. Seventy-nine students of five certification areas in five graduate sections of educational research taught by the same…

A study involving 50 experimental and 99 control subjects (graduate education majors) was undertaken to assess the interchangeability of knowledge of correct response feedback (KRC) and answer until correct feedback (AUC) in computer-assisted instruction. P. L. Smith's model (1988) suggests that AUC in better for high-ability students. W. Dick and…

Descriptions are given of two graduate level teacher education programs, at Memphis State University, Tennessee, which have teaching experience components relying heavily on mentoring as a support system for preservice teachers. The Master of Arts in Teaching program provides three teaching experiences which build to a fourth, 5-month long…

This study examined the connection between persistence behavior and beliefs about one's own likely or potential performance. Undergraduates (N=114) in teacher education were asked to write test items for weekly topics in a one-semester educational psychology course, based on information conveyed in lectures and text. Subjects could write as many…

Two primary objectives were served in this study. Perceptions were identified for preservice teachers relative to: (1) the kinds of discipline problems with which public schools are confronted; and (2) the frequency utilization of a variety of methods of managing student behavior. A secondary objective was to identify significant differences in…

Prospective educators' knowledge of children's legal rights in several areas was assessed. Results indicated limited legal knowledge and some misconceptions about the law. The need for colleges of education to adapt their curricula to include legal issues is discussed. (Author/DWH)

This paper describes an existing early field experience program and discusses strategies implemented by the instructor working within the constraints of the program design. The workshop approach presented provides a structure for implementation of teaching strategies learned by preservice teachers during their methods course, and serves as a…