Describes community-connected learning, an approach where community members become teachers and mentors in their local schools. Highlights include examples of projects; use of technology, including the Web; project-based curriculum; understanding the importance of community-responsive organizations and volunteerism; internships at local…

A college ethics course presents an alternative vision of ethics during the classroom component, then a 10-day wilderness backpacking trip allows students to internalize that vision and become motivated to develop themselves ethically. The field trip maximizes learning by bringing an experiential component to the usually…

Describes innovative efforts to improve Korean teacher professionalism, reduce the rising dissatisfaction among parents, and support teachers who need improved skills and abilities in order to excel in a changing society. Reform efforts include adoption of the Teacher-Oriented Field Training Program, execution of a merit-based pay system, and…

Introduces the concept of service learning, defines it in contrast to volunteerism or internships, describes how the program ties in with the academics of the classroom, and addresses the benefits service learning provides to students, faculty, and community agencies. Delineates the flexibility and creativity of such programs, and expands upon…

There are various school administrator organizations that are called for redefinition of educational leadership, improved field experiences, greater relevance to K-12 education, and a redesign of curricula to reflect modern content, and to name a few of their proposals. Here, Whitaker presents a summary of data collected over four years from three…

In fall 2002, the University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UHM) Board of Regents approved a new structure for teacher education programs in the College of Education (COE). The new Institute for Teacher Education (ITE) provides coordinated oversight for four programs: the Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Education (BEd) in…

Secondary vocational-technical education programs in Mississippi are faced with many challenges resulting from sweeping educational reforms at the national and state levels. Schools and teachers are increasingly being held accountable for providing true learning activities to every student in the classroom. This accountability is measured through…

Project ACCEPT (Achieving Creative & Collaborative Educational Preservice Teams)represents an initiative at Northern Illinois University, where special and general education preservice teachers are joined in a voluntary project featuring an enhanced curriculum and field experiences in inclusive classrooms. Participants receive intensive…

This paper presents the story of a university/public school collaborative program that in June 1991 was awarded the American Association of Higher Education's Presidents' Forum Award for Exemplary Work in Accelerating Minority Achievement. The Louisiana program was implemented by the College of Education of the University of New Orleans and two…

Case studies have emerged as a viable tool for exposing novice teachers to mundane and unique situations that might be encountered in the classroom. This paper discusses the utilization of video taped case studies as a valid method for assessing the reactions and perceptions of preservice teachers to an introductory field observation course.…

This project used Internet technology to build community and reduce isolation during student teaching, improve communication and enhance supervision of student teachers, and encourage reflection. The project supported student teachers by establishing Internet communication between them and their supervisors. This involved providing Internet…

Clinical experiences remain an integral component of teacher preparation programs. One type of clinical experience is the Comprehensive Scope and Sequence Model, which calls for five hierarchical levels of clinical experiences: (1) college classroom practice activities; (2) campus laboratory practice activities; (3) block practicum field…

Two major recommendations are offered to teacher education reform efforts: (1) increased collaboration for both leadership and program planning in teacher education; and (2) changes in the roles of public schools and universities in the preparation of teachers. The recommendations emerged intially from a study that focused on discrepancies between…

A descriptive study examined in detail the student teaching experience in terms of the characteristics and behaviors of cooperating teachers, student teachers, and university supervisors. The interactions, personal and professional, between and among these participants were analyzed, as well as the contexts of the schools and universities in which…

Although challenged by some, the student teaching experience continues to be the most extensive, and in the eyes of most educators, the most important experience in the preparation of teachers. Given the importance of the student teaching experience, it behooves teacher educators to carefully examine student teaching to determine ways to improve…