In preparation for developing a position statement for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) on the preparation and certification of elementary and middle/junior high school science teachers, several NSTA committees conducted a survey of 50 colleges and universities with teacher education programs. Results of the survey (N=45) are…

This comparative study was undertaken to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the social studies programs in the training of primary school teachers in the Asian countries. A detailed questionnaire was sent to selected associated institutions of the Asian Institute for Teacher Educators in each of the member states of UNESCO, except Mongolia;…

This syllabus is designed for a 15-week, advanced level undergraduate course in foreign language teaching methods. Students in this course would have already had coursework in second language teaching and learning, second language acquisition and development, and other methods courses. The syllabus aims to give information about what cooperative…

A field-based teacher education program that is designed to educate preservice teachers for careers in urban schools is described. In this program preservice elementary school teachers spend two semesters in the classroom with veteran teachers before the traditional student teacher semester. In the second semester of the program, the preservice…

Presents a position statement on preparation of middle/junior high school science teachers. Areas addressed include: preparation in science content; science teaching methods; field experiences and student teaching; faculty preparation; facilities, equipment, materials; and professional orientation. Recommended standards (intended to provide a…

Describes how technology was integral to the redesign of an undergraduate secondary mathematics education class. The article reviews fundamental concepts important for construct theory, including a description of the way technology was used to restructure the course. It draws implications for technology support of construct theory, learning, and…

Describes preservice teachers' selection and use of specific vocabulary and comprehension teaching strategies for a microteaching session in a field-based practicum attached to a required content area literacy course. Data from interviews showed that preservice teachers were clear on the sociocultural context of their practicum settings and the…

Presents a case study involving two teaching certification students. Examines how a social studies methods course and a one-year elementary school postbaccalaureate teacher education program influenced students' educational beliefs and practices. Finds influences are partial, differential, and interactive with students' backgrounds and…

Maintains that, although teaching methods courses prepare prospective teachers for curriculum development, lesson planning, and instructional strategies, the first-year music teacher encounters many new and difficult situations. Presents eight guidelines for surviving and enjoying the first year of teaching. (CFR)

Presents a study to determine the effects of introducing methods students to the "learning cycle" technique on their ability to adapt science textbooks to the method and employ it in their teaching. Interviews of 24 randomly selected students out of 48 participants indicated that 75 percent used the approach while student teaching and…

Reports on a study of 10 preservice music teachers' ability to self-analyze videotapes accurately for teacher effectiveness and teacher intensity behaviors. Compares two classroom observation forms. Finds that significant improvement in teacher intensity occurred over the course of four lessons. (CFR)

Describes a collaborative project using materials from "The American Girls Collection" series of children's books with preservice teachers and elementary students to practice small-group classroom teaching skills within a social-studies methods course. Outlines the project steps and evaluates the effectiveness for both elementary students and…

A university-elementary school partnership created a K-5 Spanish program staffed by elementary education majors with bilingual or English-as-a-Second-Language education endorsements. A central component is the FLES methods course for preparing college students to teach. A theoretical model provides the basis for integrating the course's two…

Florida Atlantic University restructured its undergraduate teacher preparation program to provide a bachelor's degree in elementary education with an English as a Second Language (ESOL) endorsement. The program prepares graduates to meet the needs of ESOL students in regular elementary classrooms. It integrates ESOL competencies into methods…

Reformed preparation of science teachers is indeed vital for the vision of science teaching reform to be accomplished. Typically, a critical component of a preservice science teacher preparation program is the science teaching methods course. The usual intent of this course is to help preservice science students develop an understanding of various…