This paper describes how Central Missouri State University converted to block scheduling to provide higher quality field experiences for education majors. The university changed its 50-minute Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes to 75-minute Monday/Friday and Tuesday/Thursday classes, with Wednesdays off for field experiences. This paper explains the…

Compared are elementary teacher methods courses differing in the amount of field experience with specific teaching behaviors involving the ability to teach activity-oriented or experiential science. Results include the finding that field experience effects a major difference in the ability to model specific teaching behaviors. (CS)

Describes the United Kingdom's IT-INSET program, which offers opportunities for Initial Training (IT) for students and Inservice Education and Training (INSET) for teachers and tutors. IT-INSET provides a collaborative, professional approach to curriculum design and evaluation. The paper examines the six principles and objectives of IT-INSET. (SM)

This study used interviews; observations of methods, course meetings, and field experiences; and audiotapes of weekly reflection sessions. Data analysis indicated that preservice teachers made managerial decisions, planned lesson content, considered children's prior learning, and connected their choice of words to children's perspectives but did…

Describes a study designed to identify the types and quantity of early clinical experiences available to elementary education majors. Findings indicate that 55 of the 174 institutions surveyed have revised their early clinical experiences within the past 5 years. (IAH)

Examined preservice teachers' field experiences in terms of discursive practices and co-participation among student teachers, highlighting how and why prospective and classroom elementary science teachers appropriated their thoughts and actions during co-learning situations. Results highlighted the need to examine more closely assumptions…

Investigated the value of multi-prong feedback (from the university supervisor, directing teacher, and peer coach) to preservice elementary teachers in an early field experience. Data from peer coaching data forms, dialogue journals, course evaluation, and surveys indicated that students valued feedback from all three sources, but particularly the…

As part of a departmental restructuring to improve the preservice training of teachers through early and frequent field-based experiences, Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas) has developed partnerships with both public and private schools in San Antonio (Texas). One of the most successful partnerships has been the development and…

This paper describes the results of a productive collaboration between university instructors who linked the principles and theories in reading methods coursework with the practical field experience of preservice teachers. The objectives of the collaboration were: to counter the effects of the isolation of theoretical premises of reading…

A collaborative responsive model for teacher education using the potentials of the teacher center concept is described. This model was created in response to the theory practice gap commonly found in many teacher education programs. Utilizing the model, two field based programs were initiated. The two teacher centers involved were each served by…

This Teacher Corps program at Michigan State University is attempting to improve the quality of preservice teacher education within a competency based framework. The program emphasizes consistent use of instructional design and the instructional processes of assessment, goal setting, determining objectives, developing teaching strategies, and…

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that there would be no significant differences between elementary school children who were taught math, reading, and language by several untrained teacher assistants using highly structured materials, and those children who were taught by professional experienced teachers using less structured…

Rather than learn about the environment vicariously in the abstract setting of the classroom, it is proposed that students become active participants in activities in the community to develop the attitudes and skills necessary for environmental improvement within that setting. The activities of the project include: 1) twenty teachers and ten…

The Field Studies Program in Elementary Education is the 1973 Distinguished Achievement Award Entry from Lowell State College, Lowell, Massachusetts. This master's degree training program for experienced and inexperienced teachers focuses on the following objectives: a) the coordination of innovative educational programs in public and parochial…

A pilot study of 13 preservice and 4 inservice teachers collected and analyzed data regarding how they progressed from early field experience through elementary school physical education. Results indicated that teachers improved their teaching effectiveness as they practiced teaching and were properly monitored with definite goals set. (CB)