The usual reason for using the Q-sort technique has been to acquire information about the subjects doing the sorting, but this paper concerns the construction of a Q-sort which deals with information about the items comprising the Q-sort; more specifically, the knowledge and ability competencies of teachers of graduate level courses. A list of…

This paper identifies and defines skills associated with the commentary-discussion method of teaching in an effort to improve student learning in precollege psychology courses. First, the author examines the range of teaching methods from formal lecture to open discussion and identifies commentary-discussion as the most widely used technique. In…

Examines the gap between instructional design literature and teacher education literature, and considers the extent to which instructional design skills are relevant for elementary and secondary teachers. Highlights include the need to improve instructional effectiveness, teacher preparation programs, and instructional design skills that are…

A questionnaire was distributed to 456 post-secondary institutions offering preservice teacher preparation programs in 27 rural states. Of the 208 institutions responding, 21 offered specialized programs for teachers planning to work in rural areas. Of the suggested 26 preservice curriculum components, 14 were offered in over half the institutions…

Research shows that teacher quality may be one of the most significant factors in student achievement. This report includes five chapters that focus on: (1) "Introduction and Executive Summary"; (2) "Coordinating K-12 and Higher Education to Support High-Quality Teacher Preparation" (e.g., coordinating teacher candidate experience in K-12 and…

This study explored the experiences of six preservice teachers who participated as interns in a Professional Development School (PDS), examining how they understood and made sense of their experience of learning teach in a PDS context. Researchers used a phenomenological case study with narrative inquiry, collecting data from interviews, field…

This paper consists of seven short essays concerning teaching in general and college teaching in particular. Then first five essays were published in "APA Perspective," a newsletter of the National Association for Asian and Pacific Islander Education, and were revised for this paper. The final two essays are new. The titles are: (1)…

This article presents results from a survey involving 83 predominantly white, female, undergraduate and graduate preservice teachers at a small liberal arts college in Virginia. The preservice teachers were asked to complete a survey describing challenges they perceived they would encounter as future teachers required to work with culturally,…

This paper discusses how one university infused technology into physical-education (PE) methods courses required for all students seeking K-12 certification in PE or a minor in PE. The researcher began by designing and developing interactive Internet-based course material using WebCT. She converted the course syllabus and class lecture notes and…

Discusses various teaching strategies for responding to students' resistance to multicultural and diversity issues. Describes three types of resistance: vocal, silent, and absent. Recommends establishing a classroom atmosphere that is safe for exploring issues of inequality, power, and privilege. Provides an appendix for further information. (MJP)

Developed an instrument to assess preservice and beginning teachers' self-perceived knowledge and abilities corresponding to INTASC principles. It initially addressed competencies in light of opportunities to learn, practice, and demonstrate. Initial instruments were cumbersome and unproductive. A simplified version requested respondents'…

Evaluates the Scottish Education Department's Competence Guidelines for Initial Teacher Training from two perspectives: guidelines as coercive mechanism of state regulation or as compromise among various conceptualizations of teaching. Research concerning the school-based experiences of beginning teachers finds that the competencies and some of…

Increasingly, states seeking to improve teacher education are establishing teacher qualification standards. Several have authorized independent boards to determine licensing criteria; many are asking a national agency to accredit their programs. Other groups are producing guidelines, standards, and tests for evaluating new and veteran teachers.…

A program for newly appointed lecturers in general practice at the University of Leicester's (England) medical school focuses on development of both teaching and assessment skills and encourages self-appraisal. Participant progress is monitored by direct evaluation and video-recording, with regular feedback an important feature. (Author/MSE)

A survey of 111 teachers and 25 teacher trainers of students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders found general consistency between groups on time requirements, importance of competencies, and adequacy of teacher preparation programs in 6 competency areas: assessment, planning, instruction, behavior management, consulting, and administrative…