This paper describes how the Internet was used in one preservice teacher education program to enhance field experiences and student teaching. It examines how the professor helped cohorts of field students and student teachers to continue their rich discussions beyond seminars (via online discussions and message boards); how he was able to use…

Preservice teachers in an Educational Psychology course wrote cases about their field placements and analyzed the cases using perspectives from the learning sciences. The course helped student teachers use the learning sciences to enhance instruction. It engaged them in collaborative problem solving which required them to use theory as a tool for…

This paper describes the evolution of a Professional Development School (PDS) continuum for urban teachers through 5 years of school-university collaboration. The paper reports the impact on education students completing internship experiences at urban PDS's, discusses the impact of the collaborative initiative on PDS faculty, and identifies…

This paper examines a model of supervision/field experience proposed for teacher candidates in the sophomore professional experience of a teacher preparation program. The approach envisions the sophomore experience as a dialogic process in which students and teachers construct knowledge and nurture dispositions needed for development of personal…

This paper reports on data from a 4-year, cross-sectional study of preservice teachers who participated in a yearlong Professional Development School internship/student teaching experience. Preservice teachers worked in classrooms with mentor teachers for two 8-week placements during the fall semester and returned to student teach with the same…

This paper highlights recent efforts to create a collaborative between Wright State University, Ohio, and public school partners. These efforts resulted in the creation of several partnerships with school sites which allow preservice teachers to be placed directly with selected clinical faculty in the buildings. Classroom teachers participate in a…

Andrews University, Michigan, developed the First Day of School Experience for preservice teachers, which coincides with the opening days of school in area K-12 public and private schools where preservice teachers are placed for their student teaching experiences. The program allows preservice teachers to develop competence in beginning the school…

This guide describes the benefits of and implementation procedures for educator externships, worksite experiences that help teachers improve their teaching. Benefits for teachers, business mentors, and students are described. Teachers become more aware of the changing competencies, skills, and attitudes needed in the workplace, establish links…

Compared to traditional campus activities, field experiences appear to have some significant affective impact on college students. However, a knowledge of design techniques makes obvious the need for a major revision of the manner in which field experiences have been evaluated. (Author/LBH)

The teacher education program at Western Montana College helps preservice teachers understand how the local context of the rural school and its community impacts student learning and the teacher's role. Coursework and multiple field experiences help preservice teachers identify their own cultural background and give them experience in teaching…

Presents four case studies illustrating how preservice middle school teachers negotiated their orientations toward teaching during three years of professional courses and internships. The article examines the conflicting influences of coursework, classroom experiences, and cooperating teachers' practice. All of the students experienced a degree of…

Details evolution of a Boston University (Massachusetts) dental school program providing field experience in private practices, community health centers, hospital-based ambulatory health centers, health maintenance organizations, and the school's predoctoral treatment centers. Issues discussed include integration of classroom and field learning,…

Investigates the potential roles of information technology in enhancing the preparation phase for fieldwork in geography. Examines the separate developments of; a geographical information system (GIS) to support local fieldwork activity and computer-based briefing tutorials to prepare students for residential field classes. Includes graphs, charts…

Discussion of the growing use of practicums and field experience in college programs as a means of preparing students for the world of work looks at ways in which the practicum is conceptualized, implemented, and evaluated. Shortcomings are identified, research into the role of supervision is recommended, appropriate learning objectives are…

Field experiences in a teacher certification program for elementary science, math, and technology were evaluated for their effectiveness in improving participants' cognitive, affective, and psychomotor ability. Surveys and interviews indicated participants felt little connection between the content coursework and educational methods course. They…