Delineates the factors that mediate the translation of preservice teachers' conceptions of the nature of science into instructional planning and classroom practice. Few references to the nature of science are found in the data. Contains 44 references. (DDR)

Focuses on issues related to safety, education, and entertainment in classroom demonstrations. Explains to preservice teachers how to conduct a demonstration to motivate students. Lists several elements that should be included for a successful demonstration which include purpose, planning, repeatability, simplicity, safety, visibility, and…

Describes the information technology (IT) capabilities of a group of science student teachers. Argues that the classroom experience of using IT is an essential component of the training course and that progress is hampered by the infrequent use of computers by school mentors. Contains 33 references. (DDR)

Investigates the responses of a sample of preservice biology teachers enrolled in a teaching methods course to a casual question about why water rose in a jar inverted over a burning candle placed in a pan of water by formulating and testing six hypotheses. (Contains 43 references.) (Author/YDS)

The educational system in Mexico has undergone important changes in recent decades. One of the most important took place in 1993, when the compulsory character of secondary school (ages 12-15) was established. National In-service Courses (NICs) were established as a way to bring curricular changes proposed in the reform near to the teachers. The…

Teacher beliefs have become important constructs in educational research with the recognition that beliefs are the best indicators of teachers' planning, decision-making and subsequent classroom behaviour. In this movement many probes and strategies have been employed by researchers for effective data collection and analysis. This paper discusses…

This study investigated the possible impact of a science teaching methods course on pre-service teachers' self-efficacy and perceptions of self as science teachers. The study also investigated the probable relationship between these two variables, which both measure issues related to the expected behaviour teachers adopt when teaching science.…

This study describes the ongoing use of a valid and reliable instrument to measure longitudinally teacher candidates' attitudes and beliefs. The instrument, "Attitudes and Beliefs about the Nature of and the Teaching of Mathematics and Science," was developed for the Maryland Collaborative for Teacher Preparation (MCTP). The MCTP is a National…

Science teachers tend to focus on schemas rather than underlying structures with greater explanatory power. One such structure is the recognition that the logical statement implication can only be falsified. After instruction with a modified version of the four-card hypothesis testing task, a grup of 48 preservice elementary teachers were…

This issue of "Science Education Review" presents an interview with Keith Lucas, Associate Professor in the School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education at Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Keith Lucas' research interests include: the construction of science meaning by students; science learning in informal…

Examines the major characteristics of the proposed second generation of science curricula for secondary schools, outlines the qualities, competencies, and teaching strategies of the "curriculum-proof" teacher, and makes suggestions for future pre-service and in-service teacher training programs. (JR)

Presented is a description of the preservice teacher education program for science teachers of grades 5-13 in the Federal Republic of Germany. Information reported is focused on the science content portion of the preservice program rather than on the education courses and field experiences. (PB)

Presented are results of a survey to determine the extent to which the needs of first-year science teachers have been met by their preservice program. Responses to questionnaire items were obtained during interviews with individual teachers at their schools. Data gathered from these responses were used to formulate recommendations related to the…

A six-year project providing training for prospective elementary school science teachers is described. Phase one, a period of three years, involved a longitudinal study of a pilot group of students as they encountered science content and science teaching methodology, coupled with early and continued field teaching experiences. In the final three…

The purpose of this study was to determine if alternative modes of science methods instruction differentially affect pre-service elementary teachers: (1) beliefs about science teaching; (2) general attitudes toward teaching; and (3) beliefs about the relative importance of specific teacher behaviors. The subjects were 90 students enrolled in three…