Increased interest in teacher cognition has led to new ways of explorating teachers' thoughts and beliefs. The study described here combines elements of two previous studies to make comparisons among similes and simile categories and approaches to classroom teaching. The purpose of the study was to determine the relation between support for…

This study was conducted to assess differences in preferred learning styles between four groups of preservice teachers (N=568), first year through senior year, and to determine if teaching level interest and gender are also factors associated with learning style preference. Participants completed a questionnaire rating five professors each of whom…

This study was conducted to determine if relationships exist between preservice teachers' preferences for instructional methods, course goals, and learning activities and university level, gender, and teaching level interest. A learning preference questionnaire was administered to 121 freshmen, 165 sophomores, 165 juniors, and 100 seniors all…

The role of self-regulated learning in successful academic performance at the college level was studied. Using a literature review, items were developed for a self-regulated learning questionnaire, which was written as a Likert scale and pilot tested with a small group. Subjects for the study were 39 male and 121 female education majors at a…

In this study of preservice teachers' views about college classroom teaching and learning, 161 students in an undergraduate teacher preparation program were divided into 3 groups (academically talented, high average, and average). Students were asked to express their attitudes toward college instructors' teaching skills, course organization,…

This paper describes a learning team curriculum structure in which the college professor relinquishes center stage in the classroom and involves students in two important tasks: (1) regular and specific reflection on their own learning and strategies for learning; and (2) asking their own questions. The learning team approach helps students learn…

Policymakers have targeted what they perceive to be the inadequate content knowledge of teachers. Underlying resulting policies is an assumption that requiring prospective teachers to take more arts and sciences courses will remedy the problem. This paper examines whether or not this assumption is warranted. The discussion incorporates: critiques…

This paper describes an introductory teacher education course designed to challenge prospective teachers' beliefs about schooling, teaching, and learning, formed as a result of personal experience. The instructor encountered problems in attempting both to engage his students' existing beliefs about teaching and learning and to encourage their…

This study was designed to demonstrate whether students attain a higher level of learning when they are required to synthesize information through a process of inquiry and believe they will be evaluated with essay questions. The control section of an introductory educational psychology class was taught about accommodating student differences,…

A study examined the feelings and attitudes of preservice teachers toward the use of videotaping as a means of self-appraisal of a teaching experience, attempting also to discern how they viewed the videotaping process in affective terms, and to determine students' perceptions of the value of videotaping as an instructional tactic. An…

Language Arts is an area which covers many subjects, each important, each one interdependent upon the other. Prospective teachers, first and foremost, should have the various language theories reviewed in their methods courses. Practical classroom activities--such as keeping spelling lists, practicing creative writing, and sharing…

Twelve instructional modules for Project BECOMING were administered to an undergraduate class of elementary education majors as part of their social studies methods course, in order to promote sex blindness, prevent sex-role stereotyping, and develop teachers who were supportive of students trying out new roles. The modules included: Values…

Describes an introductory biology course designed to enhanced the science learning of elementary education majors. A consideration of students' learning styles and interests combined with a belief that science academic talent is not a selective process, resulted in a biology course that was academically challenging and enjoyable for students. (ZWH)

Examines the perspectives of 242 education majors on field work and other instructional experiences in teacher preparation. Implications of findings are discussed in terms of student preference for active modes of learning, appreciation of field experience, and the value placed on working with faculty in field work. (SLD)

Results of a study of three classes of preservice teachers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis that taught three different methods of teaching rational-number concepts demonstrate the superiority of an approach using manipulatives. Both teacher understanding and ability to teach to elementary school students in field experience programs were…