The value of a practicum as part of a reading methods course is explored through a questionnaire soliciting reactions of pupils and of student teachers. The statements gathered are interpreted as indicating that the experience has a positive effect on the attitudes of all participants. Classroom teachers are urged to allow their pupils to…

Assesses the overall impact of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign microteaching model as perceived by secondary teacher candidates. Reports that teacher candidates found the model effective for improving their understanding of the different teacher- and learner-centered teaching techniques. (MM)

Action research refers to research activities carried out by educational field personnel with the objective of forming a link between researchers and practitioners. A study is described in which 133 Israeli students were trained to perform diagnostic action research. (Author/JN)

Examines current research in the field of educational telecommunications through the lens of the social studies methods course. States that the findings reveal the benefits and drawbacks of using computer mediated communication in methods courses between two universities. Provides recommendations for effective future implementation and includes…

Gives recommendations based on participant feedback for improving the way the Internet is integrated into teacher-education programs and social studies methods courses. Asserts that social studies professors must foresee the challenges (technical problems, fear, frustration, or gender bias) and overcome them so all preservice teachers have…

The teaching of evolutionary theory has historically been problematic, often times marred with legal and moral battles. In recent years, state boards of education have prohibited or somehow compromised the role of evolutionary theory in school science. Consistent with the diversity of beliefs in contemporary society, preservice science teachers…

The Learning Community program at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh brings together four individual teacher education methods courses in an integrated block with clinical field experience. The program provides teacher educators the opportunity to integrate their instruction with other courses and contextualize the learning of students with…

A study was conducted to determine the attitudes of undergraduate education students regarding the importance of experiences with children and to examine the effects of age, prior experiences with children, and class standing on their attitudes. The purpose of this study was to seek an appropriate balance among field experiences, methods, content,…

Classroom strategies and techniques can help novice teachers break with traditional ways of thinking about teaching English and begin the process of becoming reflective practitioners who see teaching as a complex activity that requires creative solutions to teaching problems. Research on pre- and inservice teachers on their metaphors for teaching…

Discusses the use of personal letters written between students and teachers in a reading methods course, noting its effects on student motivation and interest and on program evaluation. (VJ)

On a Likert scale, 269 prospective elementary school teachers instructed in a seminar workshop approach showed a greater improvement in attitude towards mathematics than students in a lecture setting. On the Dutton attitude scale, there were no differences between instructional techniques nor between pre- and posttest means. (Author/CM)

Examines pre- and post-course surveys of responses to course objectives in seven literacy education categories for 166 undergraduate reading education preservice teachers enrolled in a reading methods/reading practicum block. Finds a direct relationship between pre-course motivation and end-of-course motivation for continued learning for six of…

Considers to what degree student teachers use principles and methods from their university-based methods class in their student teaching experiences. Explores the student teaching experience in secondary English through case studies of four students from the methods class. Reveals that the methods class and the methods professor matter, as do the…

This study used interviews; observations of methods, course meetings, and field experiences; and audiotapes of weekly reflection sessions. Data analysis indicated that preservice teachers made managerial decisions, planned lesson content, considered children's prior learning, and connected their choice of words to children's perspectives but did…