A related study found a number of changes in the reflective stance of preservice teachers using a video case curriculum in a mathematics methods course. These included a higher level of reflection, an increased use of evidence, a shift from affective to pedagogical concerns, and increased attention to student thinking (Stockero, 2006). The…

The study reported here investigated the relationship between early field experiences and the concerns of students preparing to become teachers. (CS)

Background: Although preservice teachers bring well-established views of teaching to their teacher education programs, Tabachnick and Zeichner (1984) claimed that it is possible to amend preservice teachers' views. They portrayed the learning of teachers as a negotiated and interactive process rather than as one that is predetermined by teachers'…

Some colleges are moving the reading methods course from the college classroom to an elementary school so that students may obtain first hand practical experience along with theory. (JH)

This study investigates the impact of a field-based methods course on the reality of teaching experienced by preservice biology teachers. Four questions guided the research: (1) What are the perceptions of the preservice teachers about biology teaching? (2) What are the preconceptions of preservice teachers about high school students? (3) What…

Five western Pennsylvania state colleges developed a consortium agreement, WES.C.T.E.C. (Western State College's Teacher Education Center), to operate a teaching center at the district's Centennial Elementary School. The purpose of the teaching center was to involve elementary education students in a year-long field experience in which methodology…

This compilation of 64 papers on innovative programs in mathematics teacher education describes a great variety of current activity, including the use of individualized instruction, flexible grouping, tutorial programs, laboratory methods, new evaluation schemes, micro-teaching, computer assisted instruction, simulation, and field-oriented…

An experiment was conducted to test the feasibility of offering education courses concomitantly with directed observations and student teaching experiences in a public school setting. The conclusion is that this course of action is likely to result in a more relevant and productive teacher education program. (Author/KC)

Offers reflections of three professors of literacy education regarding their varied field experiences with preservice teachers enrolled in their reading/language arts methods courses. Describes each field experience and discusses its impact on classroom teachers, elementary students, college students, and college professors. Offers some general…

Recognizing the importance of creating quality reading teachers, this paper describes a 15-week reading methods course incorporating university instruction with well-supervised field experience. Optimum conditions of easy access to schools and children, an abundance of basal and supplementary materials, and five hours per week of student time are…

To train teachers through mere apprenticeships would be an unhealthy over-reaction against excessively scholarly emphases of the recent past. (JH)

Interviews with beginning teachers reveal that they agree that education students should take methods courses and apply them in a local school setting simultaneously. (JD)

This 9-month intrinsic case study followed 2 preservice teachers as they learned to teach literacy in 2 consecutive, field-based methods courses. Analysis of data from surveys, dialogue journals, observations, conversations, e-mail notes, and telephone conversations showed a recursive yet distinct hierarchical progression in the preservice…