Andrews University, Michigan, developed the First Day of School Experience for preservice teachers, which coincides with the opening days of school in area K-12 public and private schools where preservice teachers are placed for their student teaching experiences. The program allows preservice teachers to develop competence in beginning the school…

This guide describes the benefits of and implementation procedures for educator externships, worksite experiences that help teachers improve their teaching. Benefits for teachers, business mentors, and students are described. Teachers become more aware of the changing competencies, skills, and attitudes needed in the workplace, establish links…

Compared to traditional campus activities, field experiences appear to have some significant affective impact on college students. However, a knowledge of design techniques makes obvious the need for a major revision of the manner in which field experiences have been evaluated. (Author/LBH)

The teacher education program at Western Montana College helps preservice teachers understand how the local context of the rural school and its community impacts student learning and the teacher's role. Coursework and multiple field experiences help preservice teachers identify their own cultural background and give them experience in teaching…

Presents four case studies illustrating how preservice middle school teachers negotiated their orientations toward teaching during three years of professional courses and internships. The article examines the conflicting influences of coursework, classroom experiences, and cooperating teachers' practice. All of the students experienced a degree of…

Details evolution of a Boston University (Massachusetts) dental school program providing field experience in private practices, community health centers, hospital-based ambulatory health centers, health maintenance organizations, and the school's predoctoral treatment centers. Issues discussed include integration of classroom and field learning,…

Investigates the potential roles of information technology in enhancing the preparation phase for fieldwork in geography. Examines the separate developments of; a geographical information system (GIS) to support local fieldwork activity and computer-based briefing tutorials to prepare students for residential field classes. Includes graphs, charts…

Discussion of the growing use of practicums and field experience in college programs as a means of preparing students for the world of work looks at ways in which the practicum is conceptualized, implemented, and evaluated. Shortcomings are identified, research into the role of supervision is recommended, appropriate learning objectives are…

Field experiences in a teacher certification program for elementary science, math, and technology were evaluated for their effectiveness in improving participants' cognitive, affective, and psychomotor ability. Surveys and interviews indicated participants felt little connection between the content coursework and educational methods course. They…

Describes a technology-mediated field experience for preservice teachers built on an emerging Professional Development School network and a two-way television system. Surveys of participants in both televised and in-person observations indicated students preferred in-person observations, though very few said they observed educationally sound…

Presents a model for developing teacher educators who are interprofessional clinical professors. Collaboratively planned by campus, public school, and human service professionals, the model delivers field-based services to future teachers, extending expertise across a spectrum of areas to prepare teachers to respond effectively to diverse student…

Twenty-six university students participated as job-sampling mentors for an on-campus transition project for 17 high school students (ages 16- 20) with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities. The university students gained new expectations for individuals with disabilities, become more aware of attitudes toward individuals with disabilities, and…

Describes an initiative that engages a teacher education program with an innovative urban "full-service" elementary school in a joint effort to serve children and families and provide a deeper and broader experience with urban education for suburban preservice teachers. Education students complete traditional and nontraditional fieldwork in the…

The education of foreign language teachers encompasses language, content area, and pedagogy courses as well as a teaching experience component. Foreign language and education faculty must work together with other faculty involved in the teaching experience to unite these components to provide future foreign language teachers with the best possible…

Discusses the development and formal thrust of an environmental education program. Indicates that efforts have resulted in a viable learning process which transcends the traditional nature study program. Describes a learning continuum of activities focusing on concepts, values, and problem solving skills, organization of the system, future…