Describes ways to improve middle-level preservice education, noting the importance of providing carefully designed educational experiences for 10 to 14-year-olds. Program shortcomings can be reduced by adopting a middle-level orientation and providing prospective teachers with knowledge of young adolescent development and sound middle-level…

The roles of clinical professors in the professional development school component of the preservice program at Indiana State University are described in terms of four strategies: building infrastructure, establishing trust, implementation, and evaluation. Early undergraduate field experiences are the focus of the discussion. (IAH)

Offers a model of social-work education that infuses multicultural content into the field curriculum and enhances faculty diversity. One school's field-practice seminars integrate diversity training by pairing community facilitators with faculty facilitators to increase instructors' awareness of diversity; offering ongoing workshops to train…

The proportion of time that teacher candidates in field-experience programs spent on eight types of classroom tasks was examined for two field-experience programs that differed in constancy of placement. In both programs, teacher candidates spent most of their time on clerical tasks and little time on whole-class teaching (their most valued task).…

Considers the experiences of Carrie who is a student teacher with learning disabilities during her first eight week field experience and addresses the problems that resulted because of her learning disabilities and reluctance to tell her cooperating teacher and university supervisor about her disabilities. Addresses the implications of this case…

A study examined the developmental practicum experiences of five second-year graduate students in deaf education. Results indicated participants' experiences evolved through five stages: frustration, classroom engagement, emerging pupil knowledge, curriculum adaptation, and enthusiasm and positive attitude. Implications for practicum placement of…

In a British teacher education program, student science teachers were placed in varied science- and technology-related organizations to explore the relationship between science curriculum and real-world educational needs. Results suggest some modification of curriculum is needed for student teachers to benefit most from these experiences. Concern…

Advises student teachers to resist falling into comfortable instructional modes, find their voices as teachers, observe while in action, value both introspective and extroversive teaching styles, help marginalized children, pay attention to cooperating teachers, take initiative in the classroom, be reflective practitioners, and wear comfortable…

Suggest ways library education must change in order to prepare its graduates for technology-rich careers. Topics include technology skills and knowledge as core competencies; computer literacy; teaching practical skills as well as theory; field experience, practicums, or internships; and the rate of technological change. (LRW)

Describes the professional development school, where an equal responsibility exists between the university and public school in teacher education. Compares it to the traditional practicum model. Explores the professional development partnership in music education and outlines a new model for the preparation of music teachers. (CMK)

This article examines the impact of social work education on the social policy preferences of social work students through a panel study of 3 cohorts of students at universities in 2 countries--the United States and Israel. The findings of the study indicate that though the initial policy preferences of the students at the beginning of their…

The physical education teacher education (PETE) curriculum is an area in need of continual assessment, revision, and refinement. Physical education teacher education programs share the ambitious goal of producing effective, novice physical educators. As the understanding of the instructional issues associated with preparing teachers continues to…

The naturalist's journal is a collection of writings and sketches that captures selected thoughts or observations of nature and represents both immediate learning and raw material that is available for more polished work. This article talks about a naturalist's journal as an effective teaching and learning tool. Creating a naturalist's journals…

Student achievement and attitudes toward mathematics are influenced by the teacher, emphasizing the importance of quality teacher preparation. This study explored different preparations and the impact on pre-service teachers' pedagogical content knowledge. The sample included 96 pre-service teachers enrolled in a math course at one Midwestern…

An interdisciplinary sustainable design project that combines membrane technology with renewable energy to provide water for remote communities and developing countries was offered to students for voluntary participation. Through continuous design stages and improvements on several prototypes, laboratory testing and several field trials in…