Examined elementary and secondary education students' attitudes and understanding of science processes prior to taking methods courses, immediately after completing the courses, and upon completing their practice teaching experiences. Implications based on differences in attitudes between the two levels (including negative attitudes for secondary…

Describes a project conducted in a reading methods course for preservice elementary education students to model how technology can be incorporated into the curriculum to facilitate learning. Preservice teachers collaborated with practicing teachers via electronic mail to gain a greater understanding of different philosophies of reading.…

Shares an experience from a mathematics methods course for elementary teachers that used concrete materials to teach the concept of rounding in different bases. Discusses how this experience modeled recommendations by the NCTM "Professional Teaching Standards" in creating classroom climate and conducting discussion. (MDH)

Examines the mathematics and science content knowledge of elementary teacher candidates, presents data showing elementary teacher deficiencies in this subject matter, and provides a conceptual approach to educating teachers in these subjects. Data are presented illustrating the effectiveness of these approaches in improving novice teacher's…

This paper is a progress report on an ongoing, longitudinal study of the preparation of preservice elementary teachers in science. The study builds on previous work and explores the experiences of an intake of preservice students in 1994. These students were required to take a core course in science content in their foundation and subsequently a…

This report describes the first year of an ongoing intervention study and the learning of a group of teachers who are working together to make changes in the ways they teach mathematics. The document presents a vision of mathematics education based on research in cognitive psychology which indicates that learners construct knowledge rather than…

This handbook offers guidelines for the university supervisor, methods instructor, and cooperating teacher in providing a productive clinical experience for elementary school education majors at Lewis University (Illinois). Procedures and responsibilities of each of the triad's members are outlined. General guidelines are presented on elements…

The new elementary education program for prospective teachers at the State University of New York at Oswego focuses on the structure of human learning. The program has three tracks for students to choose from, each consisting of: (1) the foundations semester; (2) the unit; and (3) field experience. In the foundations semester, students work on…

Twelve instructional modules for Project BECOMING were administered to an undergraduate class of elementary education majors as part of their social studies methods course, in order to promote sex blindness, prevent sex-role stereotyping, and develop teachers who were supportive of students trying out new roles. The modules included: Values…

Presented is a position statement on science preparation for preservice elementary teachers. Areas addressed include: preparation in science content; science teaching methods; field experiences; faculty preparation; facilities, equipment, materials; and professional orientation. A list of recommended standards (intended to provide a framework for…

The impact of field experience on attitudes toward science and science teaching of 80 prospective elementary teachers at East Carolina University was investigated. (HM)

Research has shown that elementary teachers are mathematics anxious, and that this anxiousness can be transmitted to their students. Therefore, many students are not afforded the opportunity to participate in a comfortable mathematics environment. Preservice elementary teachers (n=63) reported their pre- and posttest mathematics anxiety using the…

This paper reviews some of the basic issues and concerns which are reflected in the literature and which either directly or indirectly influenced the development of a syllabus for a mathematics methods course for preservice elementary teachers. These issues include: (1) What should be the content in mathematics for elementary school children? (2)…

Presented is a discussion on the negative attitudes of elementary school teachers toward mathematics and some of the research done in this area. Results of an attitudinal questionnaire, given to 120 perspective elementary teachers, are also presented. Fifty-three females and 8 males responded that they liked mathematics, while 55 females and 4…

This sixth module in the series for preservice elementary teachers develops the following concepts of diagnosis in mathematics: diagnostic techniques and instruments; the identification of specific learner behaviors; the concrete, semi-concrete, and abstract continuum aspect of learning mathematics concepts and skills; Piagetian developmental…