Although interaction with natural environments has been recognized as supportive to children's overall health, learning, and behavior, the decision-making process of teachers who implement outdoor education field experiences is not well understood. This narrative review summarizes the literature exploring motivators and deterrents for teacher…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of initial special education experiences on elementary preservice teachers' knowledge and comfort level regarding students with disabilities. A total of 109 preservice teachers enrolled in a dual teacher certification program (general and special education) were surveyed before and after…

The new National health and physical education curriculum in Australia includes outdoor education activities as a viable way to achieve intended learning outcomes. However, most health and physical education teacher education courses do not provide a strong focus on the theories, skills and pedagogies that are unique to the effective use of…

This study provides empirical data regarding multicultural education within teacher preparation programs. Individual course sections of pre-service teachers (PSTs) completing field-based teaching experiences were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups or a no-treatment control group. Quantitative measures within a…

Experiential education programs seek meaningful ways to connect field experiences to classroom instruction. To illustrate one way to make this connection, the authors drew on Q methodology, a systematic approach for identifying clusters of people who share common viewpoints. Q methodology was employed in a two-year demonstration project with…

For the past decade, general and special teacher education faculties have incorporated technology-mediated online learning and distance education coursework into preparation programs with relative ease. However, supervising and supporting students' clinical experiences from a distance, which is the other critical component of effective teacher…

A teacher education program for prospective secondary school English teachers is described. The program begins with the usual general education for two years, including a field experience working as a teacher aide in a public school and a human relations training program. The third and fourth years are devoted to major course work and professional…

The second of two consecutive articles on Earthwatch, this paper describes the archaeological excavation of a 4000- year-old Neolithic recumbent stone circle in northeast Scotland. The author, a teacher of anthropology and history, found through Earthwatch the opportunity for a hands-on experience. (DS)

Twenty-three white, female sophomores in teacher education programs participated in a remedial summer session for low-income, minority children. Compared results of student's initial expectations before the field experience with their final evaluations of what they actually saw. Found that students generally use direct experiences to selectively…

The development of a field-based teacher education program is described. Following a brief outline of the current status of the program and obligations to be met by the prospective teachers involved, the problems faced by the program implementors are discussed. The major problems were originally organizational and administrative. In the course of…

This article focuses on an urban field-based teacher education program which emphasizes reading in three content areas: (1) reading/language arts; (2) science; and (3) social studies. Included in the report is a summary of the program including: (1) program goals; (2) objectives for each of the three content areas; (3) text books, periodicals, and…

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)

This volume discusses the ways in which teacher preparation programs around the country are actively embracing civic education from the belief that teacher education is inherently tied to both the preparation of civil servants and the work of preparing citizens. In the field of education, specifically the work of preparing teachers, there has been…

Describes the environmental education programs of Ball State University's Department of Natural Resources. Focusing on natural resource science and technology, the program has thrusts in resource conservation, environmental protection, and environmental education. Outlines the program goals, courses, curricular patterns, graduate programs, and…