A survey of 154 graduates of a University of Arizona medical school curriculum in international health found (1) a high proportion of women graduates; (2) higher than expected numbers of graduates entering family practice and pediatrics; (3) completion of a field experience in a developing nation by 73 percent; and (4) participant satisfaction…

This paper describes the historical events that have influenced the evolution of field-based experiences in preparing special education teachers, describes the state of general practice, identifies the unresolved issues and promising trends, and outlines a future research agenda for analyzing preservice special education field-based experiences.…

At the University of California-San Francisco, a multidisciplinary teaching group from dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social/behavioral sciences leads a multidisciplinary student team in a clinical experience in a nursing home. The program provides specialized experience in geriatric care and encourages teamwork. (MSE)

A survey of 54 pharmacy schools' experiential learning programs found that most either were reviewing or had adopted nationally recognized competencies into their experiential programs, but a third had made no such effort. Almost all used a formative or interim evaluation process and a student performance evaluation process, some with written…

East Carolina University's Model Clinical Teaching Program uses a combination of year-long field experiences and focused coursework to help prepare successful elementary educators. Planned collaboratively by university and school personnel, the program expects participants to function more successfully in completing traditional student teaching…

Results of a study of three classes of preservice teachers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis that taught three different methods of teaching rational-number concepts demonstrate the superiority of an approach using manipulatives. Both teacher understanding and ability to teach to elementary school students in field experience programs were…

"Experience Canada" is an experiential adventure-based program that is more academic than recreational. High school students interested in academic achievement but indifferent to the typical classroom environment, travel to explore controversial issues such as those involving aboriginal communities, logging, and mining. The program…

To meet the educational needs of residents and visitors at a nature reserve in Belize, educators developed a program to teach participating students and provide ongoing educational resources for future visitors. Fifteen North-American college students received academic training in rainforest ecology and environmental education. They then created…

Describes the Integrated Secondary Teacher Education Program (I-STEP), offered at Northern Arizona University, which educates teachers for middle school careers. Describes program features: (1) integration; (2) field experience; (3) inquiry and problem--based learning; (4) intense collaboration; and (5) alternative student assessment models. (KB)

Describes a study in which student teachers worked in community-based human service agencies in order to double their field experience hours. Surveys and interviews with students, agency personnel, and education faculty indicated that the experience fostered knowledge, skills, and attitudes consistent with the university's promotion of democracy…

Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) is an international hands-on environmental science and education program that began on Earth Day in 1995. Students measure environmental parameters for scientists studying weather patterns and environmental change, and discover their connection to Earth's ever-changing systems…

Describes the Museum Research Apprenticeship Program (MRAP) for high school students at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. Participating students learn scientific research methods and have a unique opportunity to work with scientists in the museum and in the field. Offers tips to teachers for designing apprenticeship programs locally with…

This study examined the effect of period of work placement on students' perceptions of their own attitudes toward learning. An edited Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIS) produced data consistent with findings reported by other researchers. Work experience did not affect students' perceptions of their approaches to learning.…

One alternative teacher preparation method is the University of Arkansas' five-year Master of Arts in Teaching program, which involves graduate level coursework and a fifth-year public school internship following receipt of a Bachelor's degree in education. Benefits include university/school collaboration, increased field experience, and improved…

A New American High School, David Douglas High School (Portland, Oregon), has a mentor program for freshmen and sophomores, who take career interest inventory tests and research career areas through job shadowing experiences. Juniors and seniors participate in work-based experiences, prepare portfolios, and take personal enrichment courses. All…