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)

Describes one teacher education program designed to broaden students' thinking about the influences of culture in society, and teaching and learning about literacy. Offers an "unromanticized glimpse" into the lives of teacher education students as they struggle to come to terms with their transformation as literacy educators preparing to…

A case study examined two preservice teachers' attitudes about literature and the teaching of literature, and examined whether a "Teaching of Literature" course for secondary English education majors influenced their attitudes. Data included in-depth, semi-structured interviews, participant observation, written artifacts (learning logs,…

The purpose of this study was to investigate certification requirements for elementary teachers in educational institutions to determine their preparation in science. The amount and types of science content, the science processes and skills, science teaching techniques, and general preparation as an elementary teacher who will need to teach…

This study draws on a conceptualization of the nature of professional knowledge called "Reflection-in-Action" put forth by Donald Schon, and seeks to determine whether it is applicable, and appropriate, to studying the way in which education students make sense of practical teaching experiences offered in methods courses. Schon's ideas are taken…

This inquiry was conducted to determine whether an early field experience influences the academic achievement of teaching candidates in subsequent teaching methods coursework. The subjects were secondary education students who had successfully completed a field experience program preceding their enrollment in the methods course. The course was…

Instructors of methods classes in social studies for preservice teachers were surveyed concerning their class goals, their instructional methods, and the attributes they believed essential for teacher success and competence. Study findings suggest some factors that may help to account for the alleged lack of impact of teacher education courses.…

Examines the dimensions of preservice teachers' resistance to content reading instruction. Finds that preservice teachers hold surface misconceptions about content reading common among teachers. Finds resistance deeply rooted in beliefs and traditions of school life relating to teachers' roles and allegiance to content disciplines. Suggests…

Reports on a study of 11 preservice teachers' beliefs and practices about secondary social studies education. Finds that the preservice teachers held positive conceptions about social studies, stressing active learning techniques and knowledge construction. (ACM)

Partnerships, especially the Professional Development School (PDS) model, between institutions of higher education (IHE) and public schools (PS), have become, if not commonplace, a successful model for teacher education. PDS teacher education projects in which preservice teachers and higher education faculty participate in school-based instruction…

A study identified the behavior and attitude of three science education graduate students assigned to two different science education professors. These professors taught separate sections of the same science methods course at a university. The symbolic interactionist and functionalist positions were taken as a theoretical perspective. Data…

Reported is a study designed to test Hovland's principle of attitude change as related to attitudes toward science and science teaching. Hovland's research provided information that communicators who were perceived as being highly credible and authoritative are more likely to produce greater attitude change than are communicators perceived as less…

TO DETERMINE WHICH COMMON TEACHING PROBLEMS CAUSE THE GREATEST CONCERN OR INSECURITY AMONG PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS, 445 JUNIORS (243 IN 1962-63 AND 205 IN 1963-64) TAKING A SECONDARY SCHOOL METHODS COURSE WERE ASKED TO RANK TWELVE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY CAUSED CONCERN. THE PROBLEMS WERE COMPILED FROM THOSE OCCURRING FREQUENTLY IN…

Over a period of five semesters, the attitudes of preservice secondary mathematics teachers participating in seven varieties of educational experiences were measured using the Mathematics Teaching Inventory (MTI). Items on the MTI were scored for modern versus traditional attitudes. Seven subscales were generated by classifying items on the basis…

Examined elementary and secondary education students' attitudes and understanding of science processes prior to taking methods courses, immediately after completing the courses, and upon completing their practice teaching experiences. Implications based on differences in attitudes between the two levels (including negative attitudes for secondary…