In this paper I examine the phenomenon of university teachers as researchers in their own classrooms. I use examples of three research teams in which we studied: (1) student response to a science and society course; (2) teacher and student perceptions of inquiry in a physics course; and (3) teaching and learning about the nature of science in an…

Describes a methods course which places great emphasis on getting and/or making appropriate concrete manipulative materials in the classroom. Presents the rationale for this materials emphasis and explains the value of this approach. (GS)

As a major part of their science methods course, preservice elementary teachers start with a tested science unit and assemble a box of related manipulatives, audio visuals, worksheets, vocabulary cards, and other materials to be used in implementing the unit. The unit is then (ideally) used in practice teaching. (SD)

This publication presents a six-year project (1972-78) funded by the National Science Foundation under the Undergraduate Pre-service Teacher Education Program (UPSTEP). The first three years of the project (Phase I) were concerned with a longitudinal study of a pilot group of prospective elementary teachers as they encountered science content and…

Investigated were the effects of an elementary methods course on preservice teachers. The preservice teacher's perception and performance of role expectations in the teaching of science, the preservice teacher's attitude toward science in the elementary classroom, and the preservice teacher's knowledge and performance in inquiry skills were the…

This module, one in a series of science modules (Appendix A) designed for use in a science methods course research project at Central Michigan University, emphasizes classroom management skills. All of the modules are part of a project aimed at developing, evaluating, and revising competency-based materials for use in science methods education for…

Explains the rationale and goals for a physical science course for elementary education majors. Components include: presentation of a science lesson from one of the elementary science programs; hands-on experience with lessons taught by other students; and incorporation of current science-technology-society problems into discussions. Results from…

Describes an activity used in the science methods class at the University of Wisconsin to bring preservice elementary teachers into appropriate contact with children and to give them the opportunity to try out a variety of materials and activities from the newer elementary science curricula. (JR)

Reports on the views on problem-solving developed by prospective elementary teachers as a result of experiencing problem-centered learning in an integrated math-science methods course. Discusses four assertions related to students' attitudes toward problem-solving, their knowledge of problem-solving and problem-solving processes, and the role of…

Explores negotiation as a method for overcoming dilemmas discovered in an elementary science methods course designed to promote student independence and reflective thinking regarding science teaching and learning. Focuses on the decision making that emerged from the tension between traditional views and the views considered empowering. (LZ)

Examines the most common constraints preservice teachers perceive about teaching science, the locus of control for these constraints, and strategies for overcoming the five most common constraints so that teachers can resolve feelings of powerlessness. Constraints include time allotted, financial resources, curriculum standards, peer pressure to…

The construct of "situational interest" involves the identification of classroom factors that arouse student interest, but previous research has focussed on non-science domains such as reading or mathematics. The first aim of this study was to identify the sources of situational interest in a science content/methods course for primary teacher…

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…

Thirty-six students enrolled in an elementary science methods course were randomly selected and given an instrument using Osgood's semantic differential approach the first week of class, the sixth week on campus prior to field experiences, and the thirteenth week following field experiences. The elementary teachers who had observed the university…

The typical approach to the teaching of an elementary school science methods course for undergraduate students was compared with an experimental approach based upon activities appearing in the Conceptually Oriented Program in Elementary Science (COPES) teacher's guides. The typical approach was characterized by a coverage of many topics and a…