Reports on a study of 10 preservice music teachers' ability to self-analyze videotapes accurately for teacher effectiveness and teacher intensity behaviors. Compares two classroom observation forms. Finds that significant improvement in teacher intensity occurred over the course of four lessons. (CFR)

This study was conducted to investigate how teacher educators might help preservice teachers enrolled in a science methods course understand the need for mutual respect rather than coercion between pupil and teacher in an elementary classroom. An evaluation instrument was developed that consisted of a pre and post open-ended response to a…

In this study a university mathematics instructor was observed teaching a mathematics content course for preservice elementary teachers. The study focused on her interpretation of meaningful mathematical discussions. The instructor believed in the importance of teacher-student communication and discussion, but saw no differences between meaningful…

Explores the utility of L. S. Shulman's view of teaching as the transformation of subject matter in the context of a preservice secondary mathematics methods course. The paper elaborates on Shulman's view, discussing the context of the study, then presenting a case study of a seminar on lesson planning. (SM)

Two teacher educators utilized professional standards to inform their teaching. They used reflective dialog, action research, and critical inquiry in a standards-based language arts curriculum to support revisions and improvements in classroom practices and curriculum development. This led to new ideas about collaborative structures and stimulated…

Describes how one school-university partnership openly discussed the basic tensions between theory and practice. The result was a collaboratively delivered methods course that became the foundation for a complex school-university relationship. The partnership changed the elementary school, provided meaningful inservice for practicing teachers, and…

This document contains four papers presented at a panel on implications of the Holmes Group and the Carnegie Commission reports for vocational teacher education. In the first paper, Charles W. Smith discusses general issues concerning the emergence of the education reform movement and calls for vocational educators to be part of the reform…

Describes how one university professor uses feminist pedagogy to empower students while still affirming her authority. After providing background about one course that uses feminist pedagogy, the paper highlights two aspects of feminist pedagogy (consciousness raising about diversity and understanding differences that she and the students bring to…

If pedagogical skills and knowledge are to become relevant to preservice teachers, students must develop their own process of active thought and become involved in their own learning. The question of how to bridge the gap between teaching theory and application can be facilitated by using a case study approach. This methodology is useful for the…

Study examined science methods courses and characteristics of instructors (n=65). Of the responding institutions, 24% had only a general methods course. Most science methods courses were for three credits. Instructors were mainly male with an average age of 50 years. Differences were found between three groups of faculty teaching science methods:…

FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES SET FORTH BY THE ENGLISH TEACHER PREPARATION STUDY (ETPS), 17 ENGLISH EDUCATION SPECIALISTS IDENTIFIED TWO MAJOR CONCERNS REGARDING METHODS COURSES--(1) THE CONTENT PRESENTED AND (2) THE BACKGROUND AND PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION OF THE INSTRUCTOR. SPECIFICALLY, THE CONTENT OF METHODS COURSES MIGHT INCLUDE--(1) ENGLISH…

The 11 papers collected in this book provide an analysis of a number of issues basic to English education. J. W. Patrick Creber discusses "rigour" in creative work and the question of "subject-centered" versus "student-centered" curriculums in British schools; Francis G. Townsend describes the working relationships…

This article discusses a university-public school partnership involving 10 school sites, which have become professional development schools (PDSs). These PDSs contribute to a continuum of professional development for educators at all levels: preservice teachers, inservice teachers, public school administrators, and teacher educators. Professional…

This paper reports the findings of a year-long study of 11 preservice teachers' perceptions of the first year of a teacher preparation program. These students were interviewed individually at least four times, and reported that learning concrete teaching methods was one of the most valuable aspects of their preparation because these methods could…

The results of two studies of methods courses for prospective secondary-school teachers of English are presented in this publication. On the basis of 196 responses to questionnaires (an approximate 33% return), the first study provides information on the academic backgrounds and professional activities of methods teachers, and on the methods…