Several well-established efforts to form closer links between teacher education programs and community understanding are described. Such efforts are usually based on one of two approaches: building awareness of communities and their cultures into conventional college courses; or placing students in nonschool community settings. (PP)

A program at the University of Southern California in the 1970s successfully used enriched science courses and field experience programs in hospitals and laboratories to recruit inner-city minority high school students to health occupations and the university. (Author/MSE)

To increase understanding of learning style preferences, a study was conducted in which the learning style preferences of students majoring in secondary education enrolled in two alternative field-based programs were compared to the learning style preferences of students enrolled in the traditional program. Three styles (independent,…

Specific strategies for incorporating information relevant to the effects of racism and ageism in our society into the curricula of social work programs are described. Participant observer roles, development of a resource book, information networks, health, mental health, and housing service areas are discussed. (MLW)

A model for cooperative education has been developed that can be applied successfully in liberal arts. It involves the use of cooperative education in the first two years as a means of invigorating educational and career planning and exploration, and as an integral part of the students' general education. (LRA)

Investigates whether an environmental program including an advance organizer component and a field experience results in an observable change in the environmental orientations of fifth- and sixth-grade students. Results show positive change. (HM)

Presents a general mathematical model for measuring the factors which directly and indirectly affect the costs of maintaining a clinical education program in a hospital's allied health department. Specific application of the model to a physical therapy department deomonstrates how an institution can measure the costs of education on a per student…

Describes the Transition Leadership program at Kent State University, a doctoral program that builds upon students' experiences as teachers, coordinators, counselors, and program developers. The program uses in-depth study and intensive field work to instill values and competencies which cross special education, rehabilitation, and vocational…

Presents findings from 55 team portfolios representing the field experiences of 285 preservice teachers grouped into teams to present technology-supported lessons in K-12 classrooms. Results indicated that preservice teachers were surprised at the disparity between educational technology practice in contemporary classrooms and their preconceived…

Two models for public administration field experience programs are outlined, both designed to connect management theory to practice through observation and peer interaction. In the first, student teams observe and report daily operations of an organization; in the second, teams observe, report, and also serve as organizational consultants. Both…

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)

In a University of Ottawa field-based teacher education program, students spend much of their postdegree preservice year in schools. Three studies of the first cohort of program participants suggest that the model of preservice education has less effect on the first-year teaching experience than do the nature of the practicum and coursework…

Five syntheses of research on teaching are reviewed, with findings relevant to middle level teacher education highlighted. Implications for teacher education are discussed. Topics include preservice field experiences, adolescent student motivation, effective use of class time, effective teaching behavior and student achievement. (IAH)

In a field practicum based in a low-income community, social work students' sense of empowerment depended on the kind of feedback they received from others. The critical source of feedback was the field instructor. A field setting with limited structural supports is liberating to most students but overwhelming for some. (Author/MSE)

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'…