This study aimed to determine whether different orientations toward qualitative and quantitative methods can be found among students. Data were collected during 3 years from different research methodology course students. There were 195 Finnish students and 122 U.S. students who answered a questionnaire about the appreciation of research methods…

This study was conducted to determine if there were any differences in the opinions of preservice teachers about the effectiveness of a new block structure for elementary education and methods courses and opinions about the previous course structure. The new structure implemented in the 2000-2001 academic year reduced the courses in elementary…

This paper presents the results of a survey that was administered to mathematics methods instructors, mathematics supervisors, inservice elementary school teachers, and preservice elementary teachers to investigate their beliefs about what should be taught in a preservice mathematics methods course. Current trends, doing mathematics, teaching a…

Student-professor conferencing and students' increased self-reflection are two of the unexpected benefits of portfolio assessment. While self-reflection is a key component of meaningful conferencing, it is also clearly evinced in the students' rationale statements. These written reflections address the relevance of students' work to course…

The potential overlap of teaching and scholarship (research) in mathematics education is described. It is suggested that educational or content research results can play an important role in an undergraduate methods course for elementary mathematics. The typical student is a prospective elementary school teacher, usually with a minimal background…

This preliminary report of a project in progress--the creation of an alternate research guide for educational technology--begins by noting the influence of early ties to behavioral psychology and systems theory on research in the field and recent recommendations by researchers and scholars that the field be broadened to include such…

The author discusses essential elements of a preservice social studies methods course for elementary teachers. The knowledge and skill objectives to be achieved by students in methods courses and used as a guide by the instructor are outlined. A discussion follows. A social studies methods course should help students develop a personal working…

Longitudinal research is needed to investigate the effect of science teacher education programs. The impact of the program may not be evident until two or three years after the experience. This type of research can also assist in planning interventions and professional growth opportunities. Universities often do not take responsibility for…

A study examined items selected by preservice teachers for inclusion in an assigned portfolio. Twenty-nine third-year and twenty-eight fourth-year preservice elementary school teachers in a science methods course were asked to complete portfolios that reflected course competencies. Seven items, on average, were selected by each cohort, with 76% of…

To get a preliminary understanding of how mathematics methods courses are taught, this study examined course syllabi from as wide a range of public and private universities as possible. Mathematics methods course syllabi from 200 randomly selected members of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) were requested. Following the…

The purpose of this study was to develop and try out an activity in a group of 10 inservice teachers enrolled in a professional development program. A science methods instructor designed an activity based on a learning cycle teaching approach. In the activity, the teachers experienced the social constructing of knowledge and were promoted to a…

The purpose of this research was to design a model for constructing computer simulation sequences for use in developing future teachers' skill at questioning techniques, and to test the feasibility of using simulations in this context. The model developed involved a paradigm for classroom discourse which integrated selection of objectives,…

Science-Technology-Society (STS) can be defined in various ways. For this study, STS is defined as a curricular tool that teachers can use to focus on the interactions between science, technology, and society to make learning more relevant to students' everyday lives. A small qualitative study was conducted with students in a secondary science…

It can reasonably be argued that the primary role of elementary teachers is to prepare their students to be literate adults, and thus many are literacy specialists. Often these teachers lack confidence in science and avoid it because it is not their specialty. Most elementary teachers have never conducted a scientific inquiry, yet they are being…

According to national and state reform efforts in science and mathematics education, new forms of collaboration to foster integrated professional development for teachers are needed. These collaborations are seen as a means to involve practitioners and theoreticians in teacher education. Due to the participation of many players, collaborative…