For teachers, demonstrating that the classroom is a safe environment for all students, and that respect is expected at all times, is vital. For these two things to occur, open lines of communication between the teacher and students are key. While preparing lesson plans as a first year graduate teaching assistant in composition, an instructor…

A university supervisor used a "Stages of Concern" activity to promote reflective practice in preservice teachers. She wanted to show student teachers early in the semester that changes could be predicted, followed, and charted through their practicum to assess professional growth. The "Stages of Concern" model provides an…

Teacher educators have recently devoted much attention to fostering reflection in teacher preparation programs. A teacher is most likely to reflect when he or she is faced with a conflict or tension. A post-baccalaureate English education program at the University of Minnesota employs a number of different activities to encourage its preservice…

There is considerable interest in the conceptualization and design of the clincial components of teacher preparation programs generally, and a growing interest in inquiry-oriented programs. This study sought to determine perceptions of the degree of implementation of an inquiry-oriented student teaching curriculum at the University of Northern…

Reports a study that examined the degree to which secondary student teachers' knowledge about their teaching was accelerated by their training in the use of the Low Inference Self-Assessment Measure (in which they analyzed an audiotape of their instruction). The subjects all considered the process beneficial to their teaching. (SM)

The reflective practices of four student teachers in a Canadian suburb were studied as they undertook an extended practicum. The experiences of one of these students illustrate an alternative way of thinking about the nature of knowledge construction. Central to this alternative is the difference between an incidental and a thematic rendering of…

Reviews ideas about critical reflection in relation to the student teaching experience and art teacher preparation. Investigates the use of writing as a means for reflection in a study analyzing 19 final reflection essays in order to determine the role of reflection in student teachers' perceptions of their professional development. (CMK)

Recent efforts to design teacher education experiences using reflection as a philosophical orientation (Abell & Bryan, 1997) have shown that such experiences are influencing the way that teachers think about their practice, specifically teachers' personal beliefs about teaching and learning. In this paper, we introduce the design and…

This newsletter highlights the development of reflection and teaching skills in preservice teachers via peer coaching. Peer coaching in preservice programs can serve as an induction program, while with experienced teachers it can serve as professional development. Research suggests that peer coaching contributes to the development of effective…

This paper describes how preservice teachers at Sweden's Linkoping University are prepared to become reflective practitioners. Students participate in a pedagogical seminar group that meets monthly. Within the group, they discuss matters important to all teachers and examine reflective texts that they had to write at the beginning of their teacher…

Reviews theories of teacher education and describes a model of practice teaching designed to facilitate teachers' reflection on their experiences. Suggests that this reflective practice allows teachers to understand collaborative teaching and represents an opportunity for professional liberation and development. Describes experiences from…

Follows the progress of one preservice teacher during the early stages of struggling to shape her teaching career. Her growing self-knowledge as an educator, her image of teaching, and her beliefs are juxtaposed with literature on teaching and the expectations this literature holds for candidates like her. Barriers to the development of reflective…

Examines student teaching portfolios in action within preservice teacher education, describing how the University of Colorado mandated student teaching portfolios for preservice educators. A study examined whether portfolio construction would enhance student teachers' reflection on practice. Data from interviews and students' written reflections…

This study used concept maps to investigate changes in beliefs regarding teacher effectiveness as students progressed through student teaching. Participants created maps at the beginning and end of their practicum, which enabled them to examine their beliefs and were helpful to their supervisor. Postmap, but not premap, characteristics moderately…

Recall of teaching events from a lesson is an important part of reflectivity for preservice teachers. Researchers examined questions about the differences between unaided and aided recall of deviations from planned lessons. Results indicated student teachers recalled less than half their deviations and were prone to forgetting student-initiated…