In this investigation to ascertain how many colleges and universities throughout the United States require prospective elementary teachers to complete a course in the teaching of reading, a questionnaire was sent to the president of each of 940 institutions. Of 916 responses received, 860 were used for data analysis. Approximately 89 percent of…

This study compared preservice teachers' beliefs (taken from journal reflections) about inquiry before, during, and after their field placement experiences. The subjects of the study were preservice students (n=48) enrolled in an elementary science methods course at a large midwestern university during the spring semester of 2001. Most of the…

Discusses the gap between what preservice teachers are taught about technology and what they are expected to do with technology as classroom teachers. Describes a study of preservice teachers that investigated whether the integration of technology into elementary method courses would positively influence their self-reported confidence levels in…

Discusses the components of a foreign language in the elementary school methods course in a state where K-12 certification in second languages is now mandated, describing course emphasis on integrated or content-based instruction, second-language acquisition, a practicum allowing participants to demonstrate innovative teaching techniques, and…

The purpose of this study was to describe elementary preservice teachers' difficulties with understanding algebraic generalizations that were set in an authentic context. Fifty-eight preservice teachers enrolled in an elementary mathematics methods course participated in the study. These students explored and practiced with authentic, hands-on…

Lack of confidence towards science is a major factor in the avoidance of teaching science at elementary school. This paper reports the results of a survey that asked 28 pre-service elementary teachers what they believed contributed to their confidence towards science and the teaching of science during a second year science unit where an holistic…

The focus of this study was elementary preservice teachers' development as effective teachers of science and mathematics as influenced by their participation in elementary science and mathematics methods courses. Preservice teachers' reports of factors that influenced their perception of their teaching abilities were analyzed according to…

Reported is a study designed to determine (1) if there was any significant relationship between elementary teachers' realistic and idealistic attitudes toward selected science-related concepts, (2) if the degree of open- or closed-mindedness of the teachers had any relationship to these realistic or idealistic attitudes, and (3) if instruction had…

Investigated were the effects of a modified elementary science education methods course on creative thinking, self-evaluation and achievement. Involved were 30 experimental and 39 control undergraduate elementary science education methods course students. Controls were given usual laboratory sessions and written assignments. Experimental…

Two groups of education majors, enrolled in traditional and experimental methods courses, were compared in their knowledge of professional and general educational information, knowledge of the elementary school curriculum, classroom instructional behavior, and adaptability to changing classroom situations. The experimental methods course, prepared…

In this program, the courses "Psychology of Learning" and "Principles of Teaching" have been combined and there has been a pooling of professional talent in structuring the program components. In the first phase of the program, the student observes the child in many experiences and concentrates on the learning act. In the second phase, the future…

Describes the hardware and software, typical application, future use, and initial results of an evaluation of a program which enables future teachers to practice their teaching skills on microcomputer-simulated students. These "students" are programed with such characteristics as enthusiasm and prior knowledge and are able to interact.…

Describes microteaching/videotaping experiences of university students in an elementary school social methods course. Topics discussed include literature on microteaching as a teacher training device, videotapes in lesson analysis, possible microteaching lessons, planning and taping a lesson, viewing and critiquing the tape, and benefits and…