Examines understanding of the British National Curriculum for English at Key Stage 2. Surveys literature and teachers' experiences to determine what primary teachers understand by English subject knowledge, how they think it should be taught, and how they think pupils learn English most effectively. Considers definition of basic skills and the…

Examines the effects of previous experiences in science learning on prospective elementary teachers' interest and confidence in teaching science. Reports on the effect of an inquiry-based science methods course on teacher interest and confidence. Finds that elementary school experience, plus the number of science courses taken in college,…

Introduces an issue that details a complex study of a science-teacher-education program whose goal was to graduate teachers who held conceptual change conceptions of teaching science and were disposed to put them into practice. Presents a conceptual framework for science-teacher education, and describes the context and major questions of the…

Reports on the Iowa Project, a broad effort in 20 school districts where a Science-Technology-Society (STS) approach was emphasized through a constructivist philosophy of teaching and learning. Results indicate the project's success in four areas: strengthening teacher confidence and knowledge base, encouraging teachers' use of innovative…

Describes a staff-development project that trains K-12 science teachers to use Interactive Multimedia Exercises (IMMEX) software, which expands teachers' content knowledge, teaching them about IMMEX and about how to create problem-solving exercises for diverse students. The paper examines project development and implementation, describes IMMEX…

Describes an action-research project conducted by student teachers in Edinburgh designed to explore ways in which children picture what happens inside an electric circuit. The student teachers also explored their own understanding of electricity. (Author/WRM)

Discusses the influence of a reflective, explicit, activity-based approach to nature of science (NOS) instruction used in an elementary science methods course on preservice teachers' views of some aspects of the nature of science. Finds that participants made substantial gains in their views of some of the target NOS aspects. Advocates a…

Discusses how reflection through metaphor can be a means by which preservice teachers and practicing teachers can share the development and constant modification of their personal philosophies of learning and teaching science. (Contains 16 references.) (Author)

Two groups of 35 special education teacher trainees from Caribbean nations rated the importance of a list of characteristics of effective teachers. Results suggest the value of a model of teacher education that integrates content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and practice in context. (DB)

Student teaching or internship evaluation instruments used in teacher education programs at 11 research universities were analyzed. Their emphasis on classroom management knowledge and skills may be contributing to what many teachers see as a frustrating concentration on management and a smooth-running classroom over attention to substantive…

Describes how the teaching style of two law professors in Israel was changed after a treatment for improving instruction. Identifies three factors that influenced student opinions about their teaching effectiveness: personal characteristics and aptitudes that negatively affected classroom behavior; lack of sufficient pedagogical knowledge; and…

A survey of the use of technology and multimedia presentations by 410 teachers of students with visual impairments found they were more at ease with general technology than with technology designed for students with visual impairments. When adapting traditional materials, teachers tended to use simpler, less technological solutions. (Contains 6…

This article discusses "Adapting Schools To Meet the Needs of Students with Disabilities" (John Woodward and Larry Cuban), a publication on the implementation of technology to meet the needs of students with disabilities. It summarizes chapters that address augmentative and alternative communication, integrating technology into the curriculum, and…

Details a study of early-childhood-education teachers' practices and attitudes toward integrating multiculturalism in their classrooms. Discusses teachers' ratings of multiculturalism in education as an issue, their knowledge of multicultural issues and resources, the use of teacher-support agencies, and the effectiveness of programs. (JPB)

Describes researcher and teacher-researcher analyses of inquiry teaching of the nature of science to prospective elementary teachers. Discusses the difficulties with presenting a cogent and comprehensive picture of the nature of science, the teacher's pivotal role in initiating discussions of science and scientists' work, and the strengths and…