Questionnaires from undergraduate students with a declared major in special education showed 41 percent had at least one handicapped individual in their family background. Perceptions of special education were influenced by academic rank, academic concentration, and personal experiences with the handicapped. (Author)

The relationship between gain in attitude toward and increases in knowledge of educational research was investigated in preservice social studies teachers. Results indicated that increases in knowledge did not result in gains in attitude. There were no significant differences between individual-workbook and lecture-workbook instructional…

A study to identify relationships between the amount of exposure students have to education (as a discipline) and their student teaching performances is reported. Students attending the University of Ife from 1973-1976 were studied. A positive relationship was discovered, but other factors need to be researched further. (MLW)

Describes a flexibly designed set of activities used to teach physical science to education students. The activities in these units place the students in situations in which they must make sense out of their experiences and provides the instructor with opportunities for individualized instruction. (MLH)

This study reports the academic achievement of education students compared to that of other Canadian undergraduates over a 10-year period (1973-84), based on more than 20,000 grades. Results provide information regarding gender differences and the comparative ability of subjects as they proceeded through the educational process. (TJH)

An experienced teacher reflects on changes in teacher education programs, noting educational background is only one part of a continuous process for self-renewal involving graduate courses, inservice credits, workshops, and committees. Education students, who now spend more time in the classrooms, are encouraged to do fieldwork and pursue…

Kent State University's College of Education implemented a computer-controlled advising system for undergraduate education students, providing information including program descriptions, deadlines and applications, student teaching, and other topics. Preliminary evaluation shows the system able to answer most-asked questions. (MSE)

Course objectives and content are described for a seminar for nontraditional adult students enrolled in an evening secondary education program at Roosevelt University (IL). The final requirement before student teaching, the seminar emphasizes learning "how" to teach and informal reasoning (involving dialectical reasoning and good…

This article describes the subject matter and evaluation procedures of a philosophy of education course required of elementary education students at University of Delaware. Students are encouraged to reflect on and articulate their own philosophies of education as well as identify the philosophical context of professional issues they may…

Results of a study which partially replicated Roller's study of the effects of text-based (text structure) and reader-based (previous knowledge) factors on judgments of importance in exposition, suggest that ratings may be a more sensitive and dependable index of importance judgments than written summaries. (IAH)

University students majoring in middle-level education observed classrooms during advisory periods at local middle schools and commented on students who fit the middle-school program, students who were falling through the cracks, students they could help, and students who resembled themselves at that age. Middle-level teachers are in a unique…

Reports a study of 10 preservice biology teachers' subject matter structure (SMS). Using qualitative methods, the researchers sought to discover the nature and source of the SMS, the stability, and the relationship to the act of teaching. Among the conclusions are that these preservice teachers do not appear cognizant of their SMSs and that the…

Discusses seven propositions concerning science teacher preservice education. Authors describe the results of a study investigating the experiences and processes of change in 15 preservice teachers. Among the findings are that students did not progressively and sequentially address and surmount the different levels of teacher concern that were…

Reports on a survey of teacher educators (n=38) about required computer courses for education majors. Most institutions required and offered one three to four credit computer course. Only 15 percent planned to supplement required courses. There were 51 computer labs on 40 campuses. Instructor presentation was the standard instructional method. (SM)