Social work educators are urged to examine the power differential between themselves and students and potential for harm to students of entering into a dual relationship (e.g., sexual partner, friend, therapist, employer). The National Association of Social Workers code of ethics is reviewed, examples of dual relationships are discussed, and…

This article argues that critical meeting facilitation skills support a collaborative group approach to working and learning, and that a computer-based technology, Group Support Systems (GSS), is a useful tool. Use of GSS with the case study method is offered as an example of blending technology and skills to teach people to work together more…

A survey of 60 faculty in a Scottish polytechnic institute investigated whether innovations are being implemented in the institution, and what kind; the common characteristics of innovators; how faculty see their roles; values concerning teaching and learning; differences in attitudes and values by faculty rank; gender differences; and salient…

Sheila Tobias' recommendations for improvement of college science education in the study "They're Not Dumb, They're Different" are discussed. It is concluded that science should be presented as a pragmatic interpretive tradition as part of the liberal arts, and students should learn to "talk and write science" to each other.…

Before student teaching, student teachers provided linguistic categories (personal constructs) for various science teaching activities and for their attitudes about teaching. After student teaching, subjects collaborated with researchers to analyze personal construct changes that occurred as they became socialized in the teacher role. (SV)

This paper examines three concepts relating to the role of heads of department (HoDs) in secondary schools: boundary management; the roles of subject leadership and departmental functioning as HoD activities; and the place of HoDs in evolving school hierarchies. To throw light on the last an empirical study is reported that explores hierarchies in…

This study examines the perceptions of teachers in one school as they implemented shared decision making (SDM) over a period of over 2 years. Data from 100 interviews with 54 respondents including teachers, administrators, and other staff are analyzed. The changes the teachers experienced are examined at varying levels of SDM involvement from a…

A study sought to determine professional role performance difficulties for first year Illinois public school teachers (K-12) and the differences between these difficulties as reported by male and female teachers. There were 548 teachers (429 female and 119 male) who responded to the study. They were asked to express any difficulties with seven…

A study examined the meanings 20 student (physical education) teachers gave to their student teaching experiences. Investigated were the student teachers' definitions of role competence and incompetence. A critical incident report form, on which student teachers recorded two specific incidents occurring during student teaching (one dealing with…

Broad objectives for professional laboratory experiences in teacher education are necessary to avoid haphazard and unimaginative programs. Some objectives (the theoretical basis) should be drawn from the behavioral sciences and then tested practically and refined. The laboratory, through the teacher in charge, must provide numerous and varied…

This study explores teacher and principal role expectations in conventional versus alternative secondary school settings. A 59-item "Role Expectations Instrument" was to give to 472 teachers in 11 conventional high schools, each having a mini-school associated with it, and in five independent alternative high schools. In addition, 11…

In the past decade, there has been an increased emphasis on the preparation of teachers who can effectively engage students in meaningful mathematics with technology tools. This study presents a closer look at how three prospective teachers interpreted and developed in their role of facilitating students' mathematical problem solving with a…

A research project used critical incident technique to investigate the expertise of staff development leaders in higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Problems inherent in such analyses are considered and the methodology briefly outlined. Interviewees' conceptions of their professional learning and the basis of their expertise are…

This practicum report addressed the problem of role ambiguity in regard to effective utilization of special education staff within the regular fourth grade classroom and the need for support for the regular teacher working with special education students. The researcher, a special educator, conducted the following activities: (1) presented an…

The efforts of the teacher education program at Northern Michigan University (NMU) to improve the education of teachers in field settings are described, using criteria of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) related to field experience programs. The paper discusses how the NCATE criteria are met or exceeded through…