A teacher educator with an over-sized class describes an experiment with peer teaching. The class of fifteen students was divided into groups of three, defined as "mutual support groups," with each member contributing to and responsible for the performance of others. The first task assigned these "trios" was to identify desirable competencies,…

Thirty-six students enrolled in an elementary science methods course were randomly selected and given an instrument using Osgood's semantic differential approach the first week of class, the sixth week on campus prior to field experiences, and the thirteenth week following field experiences. The elementary teachers who had observed the university…

Since the central concerns of existentialism are the same as the central concerns of education in a democratic society, namely the fullest and freest development of the individual, existential thought was examined for the help it could give educators in more fully realizing this aim. Specifically, the central existential concept of authenticity…

This in-depth study of the teacher education center movement in Maryland begins with a discussion of the need for change and the forces and circumstances which contributed to that change. It also describes in considerable detail the program which resulted in the teacher education centers of Maryland, outlines the structure of a typical teacher…

Describes the use of problem-posing, an approach to teaching developed by Paulo Freire in the context of adult literacy programs, in an teaching English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) methods course and in ESL student teaching. The five steps of the problem-posing process are outlined and described. (14 references) (CK)

This study attempted to extend previous research in teacher education by examining the development of preservice elementary teachers' perspectives and practice of social studies from the beginning of the methods instruction through the clinical experience, specifically examining the roles of the methods instruction and the cooperating teacher. (SM)

Science Across the World is an exchange programme between schools world-wide. It has two main components: existing resources for students (age 6-10) and a database with all participating schools. The programme exists since 1990. It is carried out in partnership with the British Association of Science Education (ASE) and international…

A study analyzed the experiences of 10 student teachers, 5 of whom taught in a traditional program and 5 of whom taught without cooperating teachers. The study's purpose was to gain insight into factors influencing views and actions of student teachers and to determine why they did or did not correspond to views they expressed after participating…

This program is the result of efforts made to develop a preparation model for elementary teachers. The science component of the program is referred to as SODIA-Science which is derived from the first letters of descriptive words: Self, Others, Discipline, Implementation, and Associate teaching. These words describe the emphasis at each level of…

The Integrated Secondary Teacher Education Preparation Program (ISTEP) at Wichita State University is designed so that faculty members in different disciplines consistently work with one another in the preparation of teachers. ISTEP is a two-semester sequence. The learning and evaluation aspects of educational psychology and secondary methods are…

THE TRAINING OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS HAS FAILED TO KEEP PACE WITH THE CHANGE FROM TRADITIONAL TO MODERN METHODS OF LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION IN THE SCHOOLS. TO MAKE COLLEGE PROFESSORS AWARE OF THE QUALIFICATIONS NOW NECESSARY FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS AND THE NEED TO REDESIGN COLLEGE PROGRAMS, ATTENTION HAS BEEN CALLED TO THE RECENT PROGRESS THE…

The Block Program is a 1-year, 30 semester-hour elementary teacher education program with emphasis on science and mathematics. It alternates classroom experiences at increasing levels of responsibility with methods courses in time segments ranging from 1 to 9 weeks. During the classroom experience segments, students spend the entire day in the…

What means can we use to predict the success or failure of the future English teacher? Authors subject a number of assumptions to rigid statistical tests and conclude that it is difficult to find an answer. (RB)

This study examined how electronic mail (e-mail) affected communication and learning among student teachers and between students and instructors, comparing e-mail with more traditional communications. Surveys, interviews, and e-mail messages indicated that e-mail helped students meet course requirements and maintain student-instructor contacts.…

A longitudinal study examined the content and goals of an undergraduate social studies methods course and compared course perspectives to a teacher's perspectives as she progressed through the course, through student teaching, and into beginning teaching. Results highlight many issues related to methods courses and teacher induction. (SM)