This study attempted to extend previous research in teacher education by examining the development of preservice elementary teachers' perspectives and practice of social studies from the beginning of the methods instruction through the clinical experience, specifically examining the roles of the methods instruction and the cooperating teacher. (SM)

Investigates preservice elementary teachers' theories about science teaching and learning through their reflections on integrated media case-based instruction. Constructs a profile of the teachers' images of themselves as future science teachers. Contains 43 references. (DDR)

Examines how science teachers' (n=14) knowledge of science and science pedagogy changed after participation in a constructivist-based methods course. More-experienced teachers were paired with less-experienced teachers, and pre- and post-instructional concept maps, journals, portfolios, and transcripts revealed that, within the zone of proximal…

Reports on the use of a computerized simulation integrated within a preservice methods course for early-childhood majors. Compares the difference in response to importance, knowledge, and attitude related to computer utilization in the course between the computer-simulation group and a control group taught by traditional means. (Author/LRW)

Explains how selections from "English Teaching Forum" articles were incorporated into methodology courses to form a successful 30-hour semester. The pilot course, which has five groups of students studying methodology, concluded with a questionnaire that brought a vast majority of enthusiastic responses.(Author/VWL)

Describes and analyzes two science methods courses at the elementary and secondary levels for how they addressed four ideas: (1) how students learn science; (2) how teachers teach science to students; (3) how prospective science teachers learn about the first two ideas; and (4) how methods instructors teach prospective science teachers about the…

Describes teaching considerations related to the nature of science and scientific knowledge in an elementary-science methods course. Discusses instructional strategies used to develop preservice elementary teachers' understandings of the nature of science and scientific knowledge. Presents the results of these strategies on teacher learning and…

Examined preservice teachers' journeys toward becoming reflective professionals within the context of a reading/language-arts methods course and elementary field experience. Observations, journals, surveys, and interviews indicated that participants' behaviors were grouped into three categories: questioning as a way of learning, constructing a…

Investigated whether modeling the instructional strategy of mathematics discourse by a university professor during a mathematics methods course would influence preservice teachers' knowledge and understanding of mathematical discourse as an instructional strategy. Data from preservice teachers' journals suggested the potential for positive…

Reports on an action research study of one male science education professor's experience teaching elementary science methods to females. Presents the perspectives of co-researchers and examines what each learned about the professor's practice. Contains 97 references. (DDR)

This study examined the impact of an early field experience, combined with a methods course, on preservice physical education teachers' conceptions of the teaching-learning process. Results indicated that these preservice teachers were concerned with pupil learning or elements of teaching related to pupil learning, and focused primarily on…

Relates the experience of a music education student who entered an elementary general music methods class intending to teach only high school students. Focuses on the transformation of her attitude toward teaching elementary students and addresses her job after student teaching. Illustrates the importance of helping preservice teachers find their…

Examines the uses of CMC in English-as-a-Second-Language teacher education through examples of Web-based bulletin board discussion. Qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed differences in the structure of participation from the perspective of initiation, response, and evaluation moves as well as different levels of participation by the…

Describes how a Canadian college professor uses WebCT to provide a highly interactive Internet seminar for international graduate students. The virtual seminar acts as a resource and supplement to a regular graduate course on second language methodology for teachers. Examines the WebCT bulletin board and the enhanced interactivity it allows,…

Analyzes students' evaluations of teaching instruction in a social studies methods course when the course was taught in an active instructional approach as opposed to a passive approach. Finds that the students rated the instructor of the active course higher on the instructor's ability to promote understanding of course topics and overall…