Describes an interdisciplinary course focusing on modeling scientific systems. Investigates elementary education majors' applications of three artificial intelligence concepts used in modeling scientific systems before and after the course. Reveals a great increase in understanding of concepts presented but inconsistent application. (Author/KHR)

This study compared the effects of five constructed response answer evaluation strategies on both student achievement and instructional time during computer-based learning: (1) computerized evaluation only; (2) student self-evaluation; (3) computerized and self-evaluation; (4) self-evaluation with required elaboration; and (5) computer and…

Describes how curriculum integration of race, class, and gender issues in professional education courses can be implemented and evaluated using the model of white racial identity formation of Janet Helms (1990). Experiences over three years at West Chester University (Pennsylvania) support the theory and the use of multiple teaching strategies.…

Study assessed preservice teachers' knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS to develop preservice HIV/AIDS curricular guidelines. A questionnaire examined AIDS symptomatology, transmission, risk behaviors, consequences, prevention, classroom policy, and attitudes. Results provided guidance for developing an HIV/AIDS curriculum for preservice health…

This paper discusses the background and context of the national assessment movement as it relates to special education teacher preparation programs; the relationship between assessment and accreditation, with attention to the federal regulations for education effectiveness; recommendations for assessment planning; and suggested content areas for…

Describes Pedagogical Content Knowledge and focuses on the empirical research directly concerned with the relationship between science teachers' subject matter knowledge or structures and actual classroom practice. Concludes there is little evidence that a relationship exists. (PR)

Reports on a study that examined changes, measured by pre- and postconcept maps, in preservice teachers' conceptions of teacher planning associated with a year-long general methods course. Conceptions on premaps differed by certification level. Conceptions on postmaps differed by course instructor. Qualitative shifts in responses are also noted.…

Ethnic surnames were studied as a possible basis for stereotyped perceptions/expectations of 349 future teachers from the west and midwest. Subjects evaluated an excerpt from a book on multicultural education. Statistically significant differences were found for Asian and Hispanic surnames for subjects from the west but not from the midwest. (SLD)

The Attitudes toward Mainstreaming Scale was administered to 233 undergraduate education majors, 110 of whom participated in a follow-up study. Students were generally willing to teach the disabled. Attitudes toward mainstreaming became more positive during professional preparation but declined after student teaching. Implications for teacher…

This study investigated the differential effects of three laboratory experiences on preservice teachers' knowledge of specific teaching behaviors and ability to observe and report teacher behaviors. Results indicated knowledge of teaching behavior was significantly higher for the live telecast observation group than for the interactive video…

Compares the science locus of control and the past science experiences of a group of preservice teachers who had declared an academic concentration in science with elementary education majors in general. Finds that the science-concentration group reported more favorable science experiences from kindergarten through college. Contains 14 references.…

Studied the effectiveness of having science methods students design their own multimedia programs and then use those programs during a field-based teaching experience. Findings suggested that multimedia can be used effectively in preservice teacher education as a vehicle in content and methodology instruction. (Author/MKR)

Background: Multiplication and division by fractions are among the most troublesome concepts in the elementary mathematics curriculum. Recent studies have shown that preservice elementary teachers in the United States do not have deep understandings of these concepts. Effective ways to improve preservice teachers' conceptual understanding of these…

Many US states do not require that elementary schools provide a physical education specialist, making the classroom teacher the only provider of physical education instruction. Their attitudes toward physical education and perceptions of their ability to teach it will affect their efforts to do so. Elementary education majors (n = 183) were…

Student dissatisfaction concerning education has been an issue for decades. A 1972 investigation into the thinking of youth found that respondents were neither satisfied nor confident regarding the situation they faced and were pessimistic about the future. The primary purpose of the study reported in this paper was to examine whether students in…