This study investigated inservice teachers' perceptions of the importance for instructional supervisors to possess content knowledge in the content areas that they supervise. Questionnaires were completed by 120 teachers from two elementary, one middle, and one high school, and follow-up interviews were conducted with 20 respondents. Teachers…

The characteristics of one-room rural schools in Barbour County, West Virginia, are representative of one-room rural school characteristics in general. These include building design and problems; teacher' lives and duties, certification, salaries, and training; scheduling and curriculum; games; punishments; and hot lunch programs. Since one-room…

This monograph presents results and recommendations from a project designed as a collaborative effort to prepare graduate students in the humanities for careers as scholar-teachers within institutions committed to liberal education. The project's two principle activities are discussed under the following headings: (1) Encountering Campus Cultures:…

Using three instances from elementary school teaching experience, the paper examines the ways in which subject matter knowledge influences pedagogical thinking. It is proposed that subject matter knowledge creates two major problems for teachers. First, it results in an explosion of the curricular landscape, for if teachers know subject matter…

The first section of this monograph contains a report on a research study that investigated the induction of beginning teachers in Queensland, Australia. The first phase of the study collected the opinions of educational associations and organizations with respect to the responsibility of the profession for the induction of beginning teachers. In…

Reports on all the research projects performed under the aegis of the Nedlands College Research Committee since July 1978 are presented in summary form. Abstracts on the following projects are offered: (1) Nedlands action project; (2) measurement of academic staff workloads; (3) measurement of student workloads; (4) causes of student withdrawals;…

Volume one of a two-volume report on a project designed to study the relationship between vocational teacher technical competencies and occupational experience factors, this document contains a national literature and research review pertinent to the topic. The review findings were summarized and are presented in the following format: a basis and…

Part 1 of a 6-part series of pamphlets deals with anecdotes from the author's diverse teaching experiences in a high school vocational agriculture program. The 11 stories, to be utilized in vocational agriculture teacher education, are followed by questions and activities analyzing the case studies and prompting alternative solutions. The stories…

The total teacher-training program must take into account the needs of the teacher as well as realistic expectations as to further training, school facilities, hours to be taught, etc. Within this context, the methodology course will illustrate and synthesize the general aims of the training, as well as providing specific training in technical…

This monograph discusses the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program, a new vision of doctoral education that seeks to broaden the traditional preparation of students who become faculty members. Chapter 1 reviews the four phases of the program, beginning with phase 1 (1993-96) to phase 4 (1999-2002). The program involves a group of cooperating…

Discusses the results of two questionnaires given to two groups of newly certified primary teachers in England. The cohorts answered questions concerning the training they had received and, 20 weeks into their new jobs, the nature of the demands they had experienced. Includes statistical and tabular data. (MJP)

Describes a study which examined personal teaching metaphors developed by secondary teachers in a graduate course for improving understanding of relationships between teaching theory and practice and factors like school context, subject matter domain, personal history, and teaching experience. Case studies found several themes confirming prior…

This article provides evidence regarding the effects of schools, teachers, and teaching processes on enhancing eighth grade mathematics achievement in Nigeria and Swaziland. Findings suggest that teaching quality (teaching practices) is more important than teacher quality (education, experience, certification) in determining student outcomes. (IAH)

Discusses the importance of attracting and maintaining student interest when teaching history. Argues that students learn best when they participate. Recommends using open-ended questions to motivate students to the process of studying history, making choices, and looking for answers. Emphasizes the value of mentoring, continuing education, and…

This study aimed to describe preservice and experienced secondary biology teachers' global and specific subject matter structures (SMSs) and elucidate the relationship between these structures and teaching experience. Teachers' global and specific SMSs respectively designate their conceptions and/or organization of their disciplines and of…