Preservice teachers' constructions of meaning within a multicultural education course are explored in this study. The study considers whether prior expectations have an impact on service learning, what meanings preservice teachers make from service learning, and whether reflection has an influence on meaning making. This interpretive case study…

This paper focuses on the utilization of reflective teaching and thinking as a tool to engage teachers in the process of observing, examining, analyzing, and evaluating their philosophy of teaching and learning and their effectiveness as teachers. Research has indicated that reflection encourages teachers to assess critically "What am I…

Powerful learning is the premise that the type of education provided for gifted children works well for all children. This long-range study examined the usefulness of elements from a more aggressive approach to powerful learning than the one implicit in the accelerated schools model--specifically a teacher checklist, collegial coaching, reflective…

What is the nature and role of reflection for teachers? How is teacher reflection influenced by environmental/situational factors? Examination of stated beliefs and observed practices of four 7th and 8th grade mathematics classroom teachers were used as evidential sources to help answer these questions in this interpretive investigation. Multiple…

As part of a larger project on effective numeracy teaching practice a number of teachers took turns to teach a small group of students in front of their peers who were located on the other side of a one-way window. Observing teachers were asked to comment on what they noticed "in-the-moment" and suggest labels or metaphors that captured the…

Since teachers are the key to educational reform, teacher self-evaluations are critical aspects of change. In an inservice course on teaching reading comprehension through retellings, teachers were asked to examine their practices and reflect on a different method of assessing student comprehension. Focus was on teacher change and fears of change…

This lecture, by a professor of English and literature who is a recipient of the AAU (Association of Atlantic Universities) Instructional Leadership Award, states that the lecturer does not have a lot of faith in faculty development as a way of improving university teaching. The lecture also states that the professor is generally skeptical of…

This paper situates dialogue with students about their learning (descriptive feedback) within the larger frame of reflection, examining how teachers involved in inservice teacher education have used descriptive feedback and noting its impact on their teaching and on students' learning. It presents case studies of teachers and describes the role of…

This paper describes how one university professor discovered a gap between her explanation of a class assignment (analyzing a content textbook) and students' comprehension of the assignment. After attending a workshop, she revised all assignments for the content reading course and designed a grading rubric for each assignment. The assignment…

This paper describes the use of reflection journals in a teacher education course with a field experience, analyzing and discussing the results of using these reflective journals. Information comes from Education 75 (ED 75), "The Teacher, the Learner, and the Curriculum," which is offered at a small, Texas, liberal arts institution. The…

Discusses theatre educators' role by relating stories of the author's college theatre teacher. Notes that in order to tell stories to this generation, educators need to focus on making time for reflective thought. Concludes that theater can teach audiences to respect others, especially those who are different. (PM)

A study was undertaken to determine how telecommunications technology affects teacher reflection and collaboration. Study participants, eight teachers currently practicing in both public and private schools, were interviewed several times over the school year. Analysis of the data revealed several important areas of impact regarding use of…

Creative teaching, which involves creating innovative lessons, games, materials, and assignments to challenge students, can be stimulated in teacher education students by stirring up their thinking and encouraging them to explore different paths. Two thematic concepts which underlie creative teaching are "reflective teaching" which…

The use of belief statements, or leadership platforms, may have uses and advantages as a pedagogical strategy beyond those cited in the literature. Some of the other uses of leadership platforms are described here. The paper details uses of the platform, pedagogical benefits of the platforms that are based on current theories of learning, and…

For teachers, demonstrating that the classroom is a safe environment for all students, and that respect is expected at all times, is vital. For these two things to occur, open lines of communication between the teacher and students are key. While preparing lesson plans as a first year graduate teaching assistant in composition, an instructor…