This article presents an overview of research on the importance of modeling effective instruction in teacher education programs, argues for a philosophy of student-centered instruction, and presents strategies for incorporating a more student-centered orientation in the methods instruction of preservice secondary teachers. (IAH)

Findings are reported from an investigation which assessed the extent to which the supervisory style used by secondary education preservice teacher supervisors during microteaching lessons contributed to the preservice teachers' understanding of various teacher-centered and student-centered teaching strategies. (IAH)

In response to a recent shift toward informal measures of teaching/assessment in reading education, this study investigated types of assessments and instructional strategies being taught in teacher education programs in five midwestern states. Surveys of reading education professors at state universities indicated that direct, informed assessment…

This study examined preservice teachers' understanding of, and processes when, designing instruction. Participants were 47 juniors and seniors enrolled in science methods courses. Qualitative methods and analysis of written reflections and interviews revealed the beliefs and views the preservice teachers had about planning. Findings are as…

Examined preservice teachers' journeys toward becoming reflective professionals within the context of a reading/language-arts methods course and elementary field experience. Observations, journals, surveys, and interviews indicated that participants' behaviors were grouped into three categories: questioning as a way of learning, constructing a…

Investigated whether modeling the instructional strategy of mathematics discourse by a university professor during a mathematics methods course would influence preservice teachers' knowledge and understanding of mathematical discourse as an instructional strategy. Data from preservice teachers' journals suggested the potential for positive…

This case study describes the impact of high-stakes testing on a first-year teacher's literacy instruction. Results indicated that content from literacy methods courses was often abandoned in favor of compliance to a test preparatory program. As an intervention, I began teaching in the third-grade classroom while the beginning teacher observed.…

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of performance portfolios in a preservice elementary mathematics/science methods class, assessing students' domain-strategic and general-learning strategic knowledge. Results supported performance portfolios as a valid method of assessing desired abilities of preservice teachers that can be…

Instructors of methods classes in social studies for preservice teachers were surveyed concerning their class goals, their instructional methods, and the attributes they believed essential for teacher success and competence. Study findings suggest some factors that may help to account for the alleged lack of impact of teacher education courses.…

Compared pre-service elementary teachers' beliefs about mathematics and science teaching before and after immersion in an integrated, spiral-based, inquiry approach within a mathematics and science methods course. Results highlighted: the importance of the teacher's role; use of methods, strategies, and styles; use of manipulatives and materials;…

This study explored case method instruction in a graduate elementary education literacy course. Audiotaped case discussions, students' written reflections, interviews, questionnaires, and field notes were collected. Case method instruction proved to be a successful addition to the course. (SM)

A case study of student teachers in a rural high school indicated that curriculum decisions by student teachers are influenced by supervision practices of the cooperating teacher; both the student teachers' and the cooperating teachers' perception of the student teacher's role; cautions from methods instructors; and existing curriculum and texts.…

This conversation between two teacher educators describes a project that integrated social studies and language arts methods classes in a cross-cultural setting. The integrated content evolved around themes of community building and cross-cultural communication. The paper reflects on teaching together in a traditional education program--its…

Investigated how experienced teacher educators and doctoral students used the Reading Classroom Explorer (RCE) program in literacy methodology courses and how RCE impacted instructors. While the instructors found ways to integrate RCE into their courses to solve teaching dilemmas, doctoral students faced the unique challenges of meaningful…

Describes one college's program requiring preservice elementary educators to take their methods courses in an integrated block during one semester before student teaching, noting pitfalls of and advantages to this network of classes and reporting data collected from cooperating classroom teachers who subsequently had these student teachers in…