Presents two mathematical cultures: (1) that of the mathematician and mathematics educator; and (2) that of the classroom teacher, and examines the underlying philosophical differences. Implications for preservice teacher education are discussed and a study is described that investigated the use of technology in an elementary mathematics methods…

Discusses the use of rubrics in one preservice secondary science teacher methods course. Defines the term 'rubric' and provides a rationale for using rubrics. Discusses how rubrics were used in one science methods course and concludes with comments about the possible benefits and detriments of using rubrics in science education courses. (SAH)

Describes how several elementary teacher educators are learning to practice what they teach by integrating methods courses. This involves taking action to coordinate what occurs in each course and integrate what they do and how they do it, with a focus on interdisciplinary instruction. The process of learning to integrate methods courses involves…

Describes a teacher research project. Suggests the author's reading methods course was effective in adding some strategies to the preservice teachers' understandings of reading. Notes students seemed more willing to add reading strategies in areas where they lacked prior knowledge and experiences, but demonstrated reluctance to change in areas…

Motivation is often a major concern for educators in all subject areas. Educational benefits associated with increased levels of student motivation have been well-documented within educational research. Improving student motivation can be affected by the educational environment (motivational climate), developed by the teacher. This study examined…

An instructor of an undergraduate literacy methods course included a portfolio as a component of assessment. Based on a review of the literature and the elements of the portfolio assessment program used in the General College Program at the State University of New York College at Fredonia, the instructor adapted the portfolio process for her…

This document describes a pilot study to provide an opportunity for preservice teachers enrolled in elementary language arts methods courses at Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) and Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) to communicate with one another over time and distance through electronic mail (e-mail). Students at both IUSB and SEMO…

This paper, based on an interactive session, offers the perspectives of three male professors, all of whom teach science methods classes consisting primarily of female prospective teachers. These three men have engaged the matter of gender-inclusive education in their classrooms and have struggled with the ramifications of that engagement. It is a…

Many American colleges and universities that train English majors for careers in secondary schools (Eastern Washington University, for example) expose students to two radically different modes of literature pedagogy. In the majority of courses, literature is approached as artifact and students are instructed in ways to analyze literary text, with…

This study compared the performance of two groups of preservice teachers at Kentucky's Morehead State University. One group had taken four of their methods courses (reading, language arts, social studies, and mathematics) in an integrated fashion from four faculty members. This group was termed the block group. The other group (the nonblock group)…

A study examined an initial effort to restructure the content, format, and instruction of a preservice literacy methods course and the effect it had on 13 preservice teachers relative to their movement toward reflective inquiry and practice in literacy teaching. Data were collected from the preservice teachers using questionnaires, journals,…

The purpose of this paper was to provide professors of research methodology and statistics with an annotated bibliography of articles that can be used to teach a particular statistical technique as well as to illustrate specific concepts in research methodology. By using these articles in intermediate and advanced statistics classes, instructors…

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…

Reports on conference of public school and university personnel in which the improvement of preparation of prospective science teachers was the topic. Lists of suggestions are divided into the categories (1) secondary science methods courses, (2) student teaching, and (3) university-public school relationships. (CP)

Describes a course, taught in Jamaica, for prospective high school physics teachers that stresses concepts which are difficult to teach and easily misunderstood by students. Also stresses preparing high school students to take national exams and teaching physics in poorly equipped laboratories. (MLH)