This description of a curricular adaptation decision-making process focuses on tenets of reflective practice as teachers design instruction for students in heterogeneous classrooms. A case example illustrates how an elementary teaching team transformed lessons to accommodate a wide range of learners in a multiage first- and second-grade classroom.…

Describes the design, delivery, and impact of an undergraduate early childhood education course consistent with constructivist principles. Cites results from the Teachers' Belief Questionnaire and examination of student journals indicating students' knowledge and beliefs about teaching had changed. Suggests that helping students recognize…

Recommends school music departments forming video clubs where teachers can view and constructively criticize videotapes of their classroom performance. Provides a thoughtful and thorough discussion of what to include in a video portfolio and how to conduct viewing sessions. Addresses possible limitations and advantages to this system. (MJP)

This paper describes the idea of connecting a reflective practitioner theme in a teacher education program to developing students' educational philosophy, presenting an inventory to assess preservice teachers' educational philosophy, and offering a rationale, for how it can guide field experience. (SM)

To determine conceptions of mentoring, Swedish researchers videotaped mentoring sessions between student teachers and their cooperating teachers and conducted interviews with both groups. Data analysis indicated that the two groups had different conceptions about the function of mentoring and its content and form. (SM)

Describes a teacher education program that provides multiple opportunities for preservice teachers to construct and reflect on learning to teach. The program emphasizes helping teachers to see themselves as learners, as teachers of content, and as researchers. Examples of course work and assignments that reflect a constructivist perspective are…

Presents a literature review on reflective thinking in reference to teaching and teacher education and reports findings of a study at one Australian university that investigated the importance of supervisors promoting reflection in meetings between supervisors and student teachers before and after practice teaching. Recommendations for teacher…

Three teams of prospective teachers created and presented school "portraits" based on research in an elementary school. Their stories revealed that each team moved from an external point of view to one situated in the actions of teaching. Their efforts to construct their own stories had a powerful impact on their knowledge, relationships…

A year-long action-research graduate seminar was based on the collaboration of the school district, university, and participating teachers. One year later, 16 participating teacher-researchers reported that they were more competent consumers and producers of educational research. Individual effects ranged from subtle impacts on teachers'…

Illustrates the potential of Exploratory Practice (EP), a form of practitioner research, for doctoral research. Emphasizes learners as well as teacher understanding and explores quality in interpersonal relationships. Reports on research conducted in an English-as-a-Foreign-Language academic writing context, about a written dialogue between a…

Evaluated the Model Education Center (MEC) Professional Development School after 15 years of existence. Focus group data were collected from teachers at the MEC. Results found that 15 years after implementation, the MEC's core beliefs of collaboration, reflective thinking, risk taking, and continuous learning were still reflected in the climates…

Reports a study that examined how specific reflective pedagogical strategies influenced preservice physical educators to reflect on practice. Six students participated in groups that promoted one of two levels of reflection. Results supported the positive influence of new pedagogical reflective strategies in promoting preservice teachers'…

Describes the use of writing assignments for preservice teachers to help them reflect on the teaching and learning process in their internship classrooms. (MKR)

Teaching pedagogy involves more than applying techniques of curriculum and instructional development in the classroom. Metaphors of teaching are used to explore hidden assumptions about teaching, learning, knowledge, production, and culture embedded in traditional teaching paradigms. The role and function of teachers, given the differing…

A case study of an elementary teacher who received preservice preparation at a small liberal arts college assessed teaching effectiveness and its relationship to liberal arts curriculum goals. Qualitative and quantifiable data supported the value of preservice programs at similar institutions and provided evidence of the teacher's inquiring,…