Explores one possible explanation for why student teaching of elementary science diverges from principles emphasized in methods courses. The explanation explored states that a student teacher in the classroom is influenced mainly by immediate situational analysis, rather than principles emphasized in coursework. (LZ)

Examines the effects of a science methods course on the attitudes of the preservice elementary teachers (n=145) toward teaching science. Results indicated a significant positive change in attitude that was not significantly different for low and high science achievers. (MDH)

The purpose of this study was to examine programmatic factors that positively impact changes in elementary preservice teachers' teaching self-efficacy beliefs. Specifically, it examined the impact of science methods courses, student teaching, and science content courses on elementary preservice teachers' science teaching self-efficacy. The Science…

The study describes the nature of pre-service teachers' idiosyncratic metaphors for the concept of statistical sample. These metaphors were investigated because of their potential to provide insight about individuals' content knowledge and how that content knowledge is enacted during teaching. Personal metaphors were elicited from 54 pre-service…

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.…

An instructional program was constructed that explored the responses and perceptions of preservice elementary school teachers while finding and using characteristics to construct categories or concepts. The program integrated ideas about teaching thinking skills using computers. HyperCard and videodisk images were used to develop a program so that…

The purpose of this study is to improve attitudes toward learning science and inquiry-based, science teaching through specially designed instruction in a science methods course for preservice teachers. Eighty preservice teachers over two terms elected to complete one of two projects as part of their science methods course. The "Discussions in…

TO DETERMINE WHETHER COLLEGE PROFESSORS CAN USE THE CLINICAL PROFESSOR APPROACH IN TEACHING METHODS CLASSES, TWO INSTRUCTORS AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE IN FREDONIA, NEW YORK, TAUGHT SOCIAL STUDIES EACH DAY TO A SPECIFIC GROUP OF SIXTH GRADE CHILDREN IN THE COLLEGE CAMPUS SCHOOL. THEY CONCURRENTLY TAUGHT A METHODS COURSE IN THE TEACHING OF…

In the belief that teacher education can be strengthened by making it possible for the student to have more actual contact with school children than is usually afforded, an experiment is being conducted at Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C., through the cooperation of the elementary laboratory school and the college of education. Eight…

Presented is a trial version of a teaching module which is part of a Modular Methods Course in the Elementary School Science Education at the University of Georgia. The general and specific performance objectives are presented as well as an outline syllabus of learning activities designed to help in the achievement of these objectives. Topics…

The Block Program is a 1-year, 30 semester-hour elementary teacher education program with emphasis on science and mathematics. It alternates classroom experiences at increasing levels of responsibility with methods courses in time segments ranging from 1 to 9 weeks. During the classroom experience segments, students spend the entire day in the…

Ten students, randomly selected from each of three different elementary mathematics methods programs at one university, each were videotaped teaching one lesson to four randomly assigned third graders. Findings showed significant correlations between three teaching variables (clarity, questioning, pupil involvement) and pupil achievement, and…

The use of hands-on and of nonmanipulative training in process skills are compared to determine the effects on preservice teachers' knowledge of process skills, understanding of science, and attitudes toward science, science teaching and method of instruction. The results show a need for training teachers in process skills using an individualized…

Discusses the need for elementary and secondary school teachers to integrate technology into the classroom and explains the University of Missouri's (Columbia, MO) technology-focused development program, the Technology Learning Cycle (TLC), for faculty who teach undergraduate teacher methods courses. Examines the application of the TLC to two…

Discussion of teacher education and the use of interactive multimedia focuses on two studies conducted at Arizona State University that provided qualitative data on the effectiveness of Teaching Mathematics Methods Using Interactive Videodisc, a prototype developed for an elementary mathematics education methods course. (LRW)