Investigates the effects of a humanistic teaching-learning environment on the attitudes of preservice teachers and attempts to determine whether activities designed to clarify attitudes are useful in improving attitudes toward science. Participants in the study were 134 preservice teachers. Findings revealed that the humanistic environment was…

Assesses the overall impact of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign microteaching model as perceived by secondary teacher candidates. Reports that teacher candidates found the model effective for improving their understanding of the different teacher- and learner-centered teaching techniques. (MM)

Examined how preservice elementary teachers' (N=38) mathematical knowledge and mathematics anxiety affect their success in a mathematics methods course. Also examined the hypothesis that a mathematics methods course can reduce the mathematics anxiety of these teachers. One finding is that mathematics anxiety does not inhibit their learning of…

Techniques that can be used in a music methods class to help future music teachers successfully relate theory to practice are discussed. These include the if-then technique, role playing, and the four-step model. (RM)

A profile of quantitative methods courses in public administration is presented. Most of these courses use one of two models of learning--the concept attainment model or the nondirective model. How a third and more promising method--the inquiry training model--has been used in the authors' course is described. (RM)

Describes how to utilize instructional resources to personalize a social studies methods course for elementary school teachers-in-training. The approach involves teacher-pupil verbal interaction, inquiry, and valuing. (Author/DB)

In teaching mathematics to preservice elementary teachers, the author presents classroom incidents for which each student must write what he or she would do in the situation. The write-ups are then discussed in small groups. This technique seems to help students apply the mathematics they are learning to the classroom. (SD)

Focuses on using technology in the form of streaming Internet video segments to provide additional instruction in a foreign language/English-as-a-Second-Language (FL/ESL) methods course. Instructors used a digital camcorder to videotape the teaching of listening, speaking, reading, writing, culture, and essential course principles and converted…

This article describes changes being introduced in Norwegian colleges of education regarding the training of English teachers. Traditional divisions (phonetics, language, culture, literature, etc.) are being replaced by a theme-based approach, in which students are obliged to use English and are more actively engaged in the learning process. (IAH)

Content and methods are outlined for an undergraduate elementary social studies methods course. Course topics include structure of the discipline and its place in the curriculum, selecting concepts and facts to teach, how children reason and the implications for social studies teaching methods, instructional planning and techniques, and…

Proposes a new approach to reading education that encourages active student participation. Offers three advantages and three potential criticisms of the case method approach, as well as advice on using this approach in undergraduate and graduate courses. (MG)

This article describes the peer and self assessment procedure implemented in the secondary methods classes at Central Michigan University. Students use a data-based assessment instrument to assess videotaped micro-peer-teaching presentations made by themselves and other students. (IAH)

Presents to science teacher educators information from the second language acquisition literature that is useful in understanding the linguistic needs of second language learners in today's classrooms. Examples of how this material can be incorporated into science methods courses is included. (LZ)

The elementary teacher education programs at Ball State University, University of Toledo, University of Georgia, Eastern Michigan University, Utah State University, Austin Peay State University, and University of Southern Mississippi are described. Each includes special science courses for teachers, appropriate methods courses, and opportunities…

Presents a first-hand account of an experience in team teaching a methods course in physical education teacher education, focusing on the conceptualization and implementation of reflective teaching in physical education. The paper offers data from preservice teachers' journals and observations and recollections of in-class discussions. (SM)