The paper describes the use of a spreadsheet in a mathematics teacher education course. It shows how the tool can serve as a link between seemingly disconnected mathematical concepts. The didactical triad of using a spreadsheet as an agent, consumer, and amplifier of mathematical activities allows for an extended investigation of simple yet…

This book addresses the revision of the curriculum to meet the needs of the 21st century. After a foreword by Peter M. Senge and prefaces by the editors, the following chapters are included: (1) Process as Content in Education of Exceptional Children (Reuven Feuerstein, Rafi Feuerstein, and Yaron Schur); (2) Generative Topics for Process…

This digest examines the relationship between elementary and secondary teachers' use of computer-based technologies to deliver and support classroom instruction and the training provided to prospective teachers by teacher education institutions. It offers an overview of obstacles faced by teacher educators in providing appropriate technology…

Authentic assessment directly examines student performance on worthy intellectual tasks. The student determines the topic, the time allotted, the pacing, and the conditions under which the examples are generated. Authentic assessment is labor intensive, time-consuming, and expensive. Technology can provide the means for students to reflect on…

This report focuses on distance learning projects conducted by the Centers for Professional Development of Teachers (CPDTs) in Texas, examining projects that closely interface with CPDTs, emphasizing the trends and issues that have emerged, and noting the effect these projects have had on education in general. The report begins by describing the…

The use of assistive technology with students having disabilities in the 134 school systems of Virginia was researched. Questionnaires were sent to all Directors of Special Education, with a 70 percent response rate. The survey focused on responsibilities and issues pertaining to the use of assistive technology and demographic information relating…

This case study of current practice describes a virtual cross-cultural collaboration in the development of an undergraduate teacher preparation course in educational technology. In an effort to increase the cross-cultural and technological awareness necessary for 21st-century teachers, the authors collaborated on the design and development of an…

An important education issue that needs to be addressed in teacher education is the gap between the continuing and increasing technology demands placed on new teachers entering K-12 classrooms and the training that they receive during their college years. There is evidence that not only are new teachers lacking the technological skills, they also…

This paper reports on a project that focused on technology integration in P-12 or postsecondary classroom settings. Project objectives were: (1) to assist preservice teachers to develop teaching styles that make effective use of technology; (2) to promote preservice teacher use of technology-enhanced learning in their own education; and (3) to…

This study examined female preservice teachers' perceptions of gender differences in the learning and use of computer technology, examining: how they compared themselves to males with regard to computer technology; at what skill levels they rated themselves with regard to various educational technology applications; how levels of self-esteem…

This self-study of teacher education practices examined student teachers' and teacher educators' beliefs regarding the learning and teaching of mathematics. Data collection included questions from students about mathematics education issues in which they were interested; other students' responses to those questions; a questionnaire examining…

This paper presents an analysis of the content of electronic mail exchanged among a team of 24 undergraduate elementary education majors in a Professional Development School program during 1 year of their 2-year teacher education program. Teacher candidates were required to exchange journal entries via e-mail with peers and communicate with…

Reviews many aspects of contemporary preservice-teacher-education programs in the U.S., describing the following: the evolution of programs in education; teacher-preparation programs (curriculum, conceptual orientations, program structure, and providers); teacher credentialing and licensure; and current issues in teacher education (education as a…

Investigated the evolution of electronic portfolios by preservice elementary teachers, examining how they constructed and thought about electronic self-assessment portfolios. Data from portfolios, interviews, and surveys indicated that creating portfolios allowed participants to be reflective because of how the portfolio development process…

Considers ways that technology can enhance teaching and research within the preservice classroom and assist research into national issues affecting art teacher education. Recommends a more thorough integration of multimedia technology into preservice teacher art education. Discusses Internet sites of particular interest to teachers. (MJP)