Preparing novice teachers to manage the broad array of educational decisions and day-to-day problems inherent in classroom teaching is an ongoing challenge. This article describes a model of student-initiated, case-based pedagogy, in the form of Basket Cases, implemented in an English education methods class and interprets the results. Exploring…

Research has called for courses to be developed that provide preservice teachers opportunities to actively engage their pedagogies under construction in order to effectively translate their beliefs into sound instructional practice. This article presents research that examined how a service-learning writing tutoring program affected preservice…

Investigated the value of a team-taught, integrated, elementary-level methods course. Student teacher surveys indicated that it was a beneficial learning experience for all which enabled students to see connections across content areas and understand how to explore subjects through inquiry and a unifying theme. Many students reported feeling…

Elementary and secondary classroom teachers (N=51) basically agreed on the importance of a reward system, clear student roles, and evaluation of teamwork as factors that affected successful implementation of cooperative learning. Other significant factors identified were teaching/management skills, activity design, and group composition. (IAH)

Describes how several elementary teacher educators are learning to practice what they teach by integrating methods courses. This involves taking action to coordinate what occurs in each course and integrate what they do and how they do it, with a focus on interdisciplinary instruction. The process of learning to integrate methods courses involves…

A secondary science teacher education program at University of Iowa is outlined. The three required methods courses and the student teaching component are described, as well as supervision of preservice teachers by cooperating teachers and university faculty. (IAH)

This article describes an effort to employ cooperative team learning (CTL), specifically the Jigsaw technique, as a vehicle for helping prospective middle school teachers enrolled in a social studies methods course translate theory into practice. Recommendations are made for broader implementation of CTL in middle school teacher education…

Results from a study of elementary student teachers (N=79) indicate that these student teachers only variably employed instructional strategies emphasized in university methods courses. Possible explanations for this behavior are considered, and implications for preservice teacher education are discussed. (IAH)

The Integrated Methods Model incorporates the entire conceptual framework for an effective secondary preservice teacher program as suggested by research. The model results in a subtle but important shift in the focus of secondary preservice teachers. It is relatively easy to implement, economically feasible, and adaptable to various conditions.…

Describes how a team of college instructors framed a humanities methods course within the concept of classroom community-building to address issues relevant to preservice teachers in such areas as moral commitment, professionalism, caring, and concern, providing examples of how the community was built, discussing strengths and limitations of that…

This article presents the results of a research study that examined the benefits and limitations of a professional development school program designed to assimilate experienced high school teachers into the fabric of preservice educator preparation at an institution accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.…

Describes the development of a seamless curriculum of four methods courses--literacy, math, social studies, and science--within a transdisciplinary framework, defining transdisciplinary teaching and learning as a context and conveyor for knowledge influenced by the synergy between learners and teachers, which embraces collaboration,…

Describes how selected case examples are used in a mathematics course for prospective elementary teachers to provide a framework for discussing how children construct meaning in mathematics. The article examines the advantages of presenting cases in videodisc format with access to additional information through associated computer databases. (SM)

This article describes the use of a lesson study approach to collaborative professional growth in an elementary science methods course. Preservice candidates designed and taught integrated science-mathematics lessons during the semester before their student teaching. Working in 8 teams of 3 student teachers, participants per team designed a common…

This case study examined how four university faculty members experienced the process of collaboratively planning and teaching university methods courses to match the needs of their Professional Development School context. Interview data highlighted four themes as integral to their collective story: learning how to create a participative culture,…