Research findings indicate that the elementary school is the most effective level for intervention leading to improved attitudes, higher achievement, and increased access in science. Yet, deficiencies in elementary teachers' interest in science, in their confidence in their ability to teach science, and in their pedagogical and content preparation…

Since 1990, the implementation of the Science at Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum in England has exerted a profound impact on the style of inservice training supporting the teaching of science in the primary curriculum. This paper explores the potential of distance learning to deliver inservice training in primary science using…

This article describes a strategy for instructing graduate teaching assistants and presents results on how the program influenced their conceptions of teaching science. The discipline-specific seminar was designed to help teaching assistants learn how to effectively communicate biology content to undergraduate students, and aimed at increasing…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the problems facing primary teachers in implementing the 5-14 guidelines for science and technology and the extent to which these problems are related to teachers' knowledge and understanding of the subject matter in Scotland. Data collection methods included questionnaires and interviews. A key finding…

Classroom with a View (CView) is an interactive multimedia environment designed to provide students with opportunities to observe, discuss, and analyze classroom practice in a mediated environment in which students work in pairs exploring a database of videotaped mathematics and science lessons. CView was designed using a description of the…

This document reports on the evaluation study of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (FCCSET) 1993 Summer Institutes that provided opportunities for teachers from around the country to participate in hands-on education programs in areas such as environmental and ecological studies, material science, space…

Licensure standards ensure that the best and most promising candidates receive and retain educator licenses and that the training and professional development they experience contribute meaningfully to this end. These standards also assure that educators have the skills and knowledge needed to support students toward attaining high standards. This…

There is a need to integrate the segregated perspective underlying research on scientific conceptions. Insights from scientists can provide information about the essential components of ideal knowledge. The purpose of this study was to investigate how researchers and teachers deal with scientific explanation. Three research physicists and five…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that compared 39 separate class programs for the gifted with 18 pull-out programs in the Metropolitan New York region. Interviews were conducted with teachers and students participating in the two types of talented and gifted programs during site visits to 57 schools. The results of the study indicated…

This report is the result of a five-month study; it is comprised of two components: (1) an overview of the current knowledge base regarding how rich media resources, like Teachers' Domain, can support teaching and learning in K-12 schools; and (2) case studies of teachers, technology coordinators and administrators' perceptions and potential use…

"Transformational Professional Learning" is a periodically published e-newsletter designed to influence what educational leaders think, say, and do to improve teaching and learning by promoting deep understanding of important issues, the transformation of beliefs and assumptions, and a stream of powerful goal-focused actions. There are two…

The National Council of Teachers of English's (NCTE) Reading Initiative is a professional development process that engages teachers in a study of the theory, knowledge base, and practice of teaching reading. This work is accomplished: through long-term professional development; with the support and resources provided by an expert NCTE literacy…

New Jersey's new professional standards for teachers and school leaders were adopted by the State Board of Education in December 2003 as part of the new licensing regulations. These new professional standards provide a clear vision of the knowledge, performances and dispositions that teachers and school leaders need to support the learning…

What are the effective approaches of teaching and learning mathematics? How do teachers build on knowledge of students' thinking? What knowledge is needed for teachers to teach effectively? The author answers these questions by examining the differences between the pedagogical content knowledge of elementary and middle school mathematics teachers…

Research increasingly demonstrates what common sense has long made apparent to educators and parents: Teacher quality matters--a lot. Teachers' knowledge and skills are the most vital in-school factors influencing children's learning. And, for children from disadvantaged backgrounds or troubled home environments, quality teaching is even more…