Presents two geography problem-solving scenarios for use with elementary and middle school children or preservice teachers in social studies methods courses. Provides problems about the magnetic poles and the presence of ice in desert conditions. Calls upon teachers to encourage students to use their thinking skills to solve the problems. (SG)

The graduate program in French civilization at the Pennsylvania State University includes an experimental course in introductory teaching theory and methods, complemented by a one-credit course in research methods and bibliography. The methods course presents interdisciplinary techniques of cultural analysis and cultural history. An extensive…

Describes the activities associated with lesson plan development in an elementary social studies methods class. Recommends developing lessons about "international day" as designated by the United Nations. Includes a listing of International Days and Weeks. (CFR)

Preservice teachers completed interviews before and after participating in a support group that encouraged reflective thinking about prior school experiences. Results indicated the critical reflection was very valuable because it kept the subjects from replicating the forms of teaching and learning that might have limited their own lives. (SM)

Analyzes problems with traditional teacher education, reviews the basic elements of the constructivist learning views, and discusses the advantages of a constructivist approach to science teacher education. (PR)

Discusses a methods course for preservice mathematics teachers that addresses the affective side of learning mathematics. Students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences in relation to themselves as learners, teachers, and mathematicians. (MDH)

This study investigated what undergraduate physical education majors learned while conducting some lessons in a secondary physical education methods course. Results showed that pupil learning, quality lesson planning, and efficient lesson management were characteristics of successful lessons for the trainees. (GLR)

Describes a student research project for a research methods course in which students present their work as a poster session. Explains that students are graded for visual display and oral presentation. Reports that students are more thorough in self-evaluations after their efforts at public display. (DK)

Argues that music teacher education programs must include an early introduction to research methods and findings related to the field. Discusses two research findings that affect nearly all music teachers and should be a part of all music teacher education programs. Includes a list of 13 recommended journals that cover issues related to research…

Presents results of a survey to science education tutors in university departments of education in the United Kingdom (43 responses). Among the conclusions was the most frequent strategy for raising issues of race, and science teaching appears through analysis of texts for bias or stereotyping and through discussion of the nature of science. (PR)

Reports on a study of the preparation of secondary social studies teachers at major state-supported research universities. Finds relatively few institutions have followed the Holmes Group recommendations and many continue to prepare broad field social studies teachers leaving them deficient in some social science fields. (CFR)

Reports on a study of the history/social science content of 139 preservice elementary teacher education programs. Finds that, although most require preservice elementary teachers take courses in history, there is little assurance that they will take courses in the social sciences. Indicates that less than half the programs require multicultural…

Researchers investigated how prepared recent California State University teacher education graduates felt to teach limited English proficient (LEP) students. Results indicated subjects believed they had inadequate preparation in methods and adapting instruction in content areas. They felt they lacked opportunities to teach LEP students under the…

Examines the effects of a science methods course on the attitudes of the preservice elementary teachers (n=145) toward teaching science. Results indicated a significant positive change in attitude that was not significantly different for low and high science achievers. (MDH)

This article describes a model of collaborative study and field placement with undergraduate students in elementary education and special education at the State University of New York in Plattsburgh. It provides a rationale for collaborative teacher education and a proposed course structure to fit into existing teacher education programs as an…