Education majors preparing to be secondary school teachers could participate in a pre-student teacher field experience teaching project. Project participants had higher self-concepts at the end of student teaching than their nonparticipating counterparts. Field experience was not related to higher ratings of student teaching performance. (GDC)

Reports on an experiment that sought to determine the change in attitudes of secondary school students toward Mexico and Mexicans following a five-week experience in Mexico. Attitudes were tested on a semantic differential. (AM)

Uses the example of a trail near Lancashire in Northern England to explore the educational values of rural trails. Maintains that studying trails can enhance the appreciation and teaching of conceptual matters as well as develop students' skills for informed observation and interpretation of field evidence. Includes an area map. (MJP)

With the aim of adding clarity to college practice in experiential education and service learning, a taxonomy of experiential education is proposed. For each of three categories (internship, cooperative education, service learning), goals and objectives of the major stakeholders (academy, student, host organization) are specified. Four levels of…

Discusses the Reality Based Multicultural Model (RBMM) created for Minnesota's teacher education programs to ensure that the preservice teacher interacts with diverse student populations and demonstrates competence in each of six program components. The RBMM requires that preservice teachers complete a field experience in a culture other than…

A 1995 study involving 78 female master's of social work (MSW) students compared satisfaction with field practicum supervision of those with female and those with male field instructors. Results revealed one statistically significant but practically unimportant finding that favored male instructors. The little existing research appears to support…

Messages conveyed by news reports and stereotypical media representations continue to misinform mainstream audiences, including teachers, about the cultural context and characteristics of Latinos. Teacher education programs must provide meaningful field experiences. More community involvement during field placements, collaborations between…

Explored the perceptions of two groups of preservice teachers enrolled in special education courses following field experiences with culturally and economically diverse learners. Survey data indicated that many of the respondents' positive perceptions related to successes that they experienced in teaching diverse learners. Results highlight the…

Two community learning programs that use a professional development center approach to teacher education are described. In one, preservice teachers become part of a school community by participating in real classroom settings; the second, offering a laboratory classroom for elementary school children, brings education professors and students into…

Describes a practicum that occurred at one of Indiana State University's elementary school professional development sites. The practicum involved 10 site visits over two weeks for participating preservice teachers. The paper examines benefits of the practicum for preservice teachers and the advantages of conducting it at a PDS site. (SM)

Black, and white students who participated in a race relations class that required a seven-day residential visit in a home of another race and a visit to a predominantly black college were interviewed 20 years later about the course's significance. The former students recalled that the course was profound, meaningful, and life-changing. (TD)

A survey of 115 universities and colleges that provide special education teacher preparation found nearly three-fourths reported having formal written partnerships with districts, schools, or teachers, however, such formal partnerships only partially influenced the identification and placement of preservice teachers in special education field…

Describes School for International Training (SIT) in Battleboro, Vermont, academic arm of Experiment in International Living. SIT develops individuals' knowledge of world issues and use of cross-cultural communication skills. Details stages of SIT model: formal study; field experience (internships, travel abroad); reflection (evaluation); and…

A survey of 131 bachelor's level and 30 master's level programs in social work found that less than 20% of undergraduate and 50% of graduate programs offered practica in government relations, electoral politics, and policy advocacy and development, and that existing practica were almost exclusively in government relations. Recommendations for…

Paper examines the enhancement of teacher preparation courses through augmenting field experiences to promote self- confidence and improve self-image, thus increasing the likelihood for professional satisfaction and reducing the incidence of burnout. Educators are cautioned that there can be drawbacks to increasing field experiences. (Author/SM)