Presents findings of a study conducted to determine the organization and characteristics of methods courses and student teaching in business education in the Mountain-Plains Region of the National Business Education Association. Recommendations are also provided. (TA)

Examines the use of literacy portfolios in education methods courses at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse through the inclusion of an external reviewer in the evaluation process. States that students construct a portfolio as a culminating project which reflects the learning they acquire in on-campus and field-site work. Finds that including a…

Examines differences in achievement between preservice teachers who learned word recognition content and pedagogy in expert-jigsaw groups and those who learned in a traditionally taught reading methods course. Finds that both groups learned; however, the jigsaw groups' essay posttest indicated significantly different achievement results. Suggests…

Analyzes the effects of using carefully assisted case studies to prepare preservice teachers to be more knowledgeable and skilled in supporting children's response to literature. Notes that over the course of a school year, teachers moved towards a vision of literary response that highlights the interpretation over comprehension. (RS)

Describes the continuation of a project that used collaborative technologies to team teach elementary science methods courses across three different public institutions. Student outcomes for the project indicate positive change in comfort with technology and understanding science education issues. (Author/MM)

Examined the content, process, and instructors of introductory graduate research methods classes within kinesiology and physical education departments. Overall, course objectives included understanding, planning, critiquing, and applying research. Quantitative design and analysis were emphasized most frequently. Most class time involved lecture.…

Describes the authors' initial efforts to systematically address technology integration in their literacy methods courses. Describes a study of the technology integration practices of three preservice teachers in their first year of teaching. Provides a link between the work that has been done with preservice teachers during field placements and…

Reports a study that sought foreign language teachers views of what texts and topics were essential to the foreign language methods cannon. Links results with findings from a review of the literature on foreign language methods courses and offers thoughts regarding implications for the future of foreign language teacher development. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the gap between what preservice teachers are taught about technology and what they are expected to do with technology as classroom teachers. Describes a study of preservice teachers that investigated whether the integration of technology into elementary method courses would positively influence their self-reported confidence levels in…

Teachers, through secondary, content-area methodology textbooks, are not being exposed to a wide and diverse body of research, either with regard to reading psychology or reading pedagogy. Results are reported from an inquiry to determine which research studies, secondary sources, and researchers consistently appeared in secondary, content-area…

Argues that within the context of teacher training, critical thinking takes on a more dynamic role than simple skill acquisition. States that critical thinking about urgent issues facing schools is a prelude to reflective teaching. Raises two questions that may be used in methods courses to encourage critical thought. (LS)

Uses the American College Testing Program (ACT) and Teale-Lewis Reading Attitude Scales to investigate achievement predictability in a teacher-preparatory course in reading methods. Determines the two tests to be effective predictors of achievement. (SG)

A description is given of the design, implementation, and outcomes of a combination methods course and field experience for preservice reading teachers. The program involved cooperating teachers in a collaborative manner assisting elementary children with reading problems, and increased both cooperating and student teachers' knowledge of reading…

Describes using portfolio assessment in a language arts methods course. Discusses purposes for portfolios, steps in preparing them, an interim review process, and portfolio evaluation. (SR)

Presents recommendations for preparation of mathematics faculty at two-year colleges, including discussions of: minimal and standard preparation, continuing formal education, evaluating credentials, mathematical and pedagogical content, and continuing education. Includes an outline for a course in college mathematics teaching, suggesting topics,…