Delineates factors which facilitate or impede the relationship between classroom practices and teachers' understanding of the nature of science. Finds that teachers' conceptions of science do not necessarily influence classroom practice, though teachers' level of experience, intentions and perceptions of students were critically influential on…

An international team of mathematics and science educators developed a method of investigating the pedagogical content parts of preservice teachers' knowledge bases. They asked preservice teachers to prepare a lesson plan about a topic (area) as if they had to teach it, then they later interviewed them. The method produced significant, rich…

Examines the current situation of mathematics and science integration, discusses the current body of related research, and examines the implication issues related to integrated curriculum projects. The conclusion calls for mathematics and science educators to work collaboratively to address implementation issues surrounding reform of any kind, and…

Examines an expert teacher's thinking and teaching processes in order to link them to instructional-design procedures. Findings suggest that there were fundamental differences between the teacher's thinking and teaching processes and microinstructional design models. (Author/AEF)

Addresses the issues of teachers professional knowledge and professionalism and stresses the design of school practice outside the classroom as a growing aspect of teachers work. Believes that seeing curriculum making and the designing of school work as a virtual practice opens new ways of visualizing teacher education programs. (CMK)

Investigates how scientists, from both a practical and epistemological perspective, communicated the nature and relevance of their research to classroom teachers. Determines the congruence and/or dissimilarity in how scientists described their research to teachers and how they viewed their research epistemologically. Concludes that scientists from…

The priorities for science must change to confront the social and environmental problems brought on by the policies in science and technology during the past century. Contends that educators must have a clearer, broader understanding of the nature of science, its history, and its current structure in order to effect necessary changes in science…

Discusses the kind of symbolic and strategic value that science-legitimized pedagogical knowledge has in the professionalization of teacher education, studying the history of the science of teaching and the professionalization of teacher education in Finland and suggesting that the teaching profession is better understood when viewed in relation…

Discusses Japanese teacher professional development strategies, which are driven by a peer-based model using peer collaboration, planning, and management, exploring how the Japanese perspective of teaching as craft contributes to elementary professional development. Critical issues inherent in the Japanese model are discussed, noting its basic…

Explores the strategies used by prospective secondary mathematics teachers (N=13) to develop and validate functions as mathematical models of real-world situations. Uses a grounded hypothesis on strategy selection. Concludes that strategy choice was influenced by task characteristics and interactions with other student modelers. Contains 38…

Describes the various tools used to promote reflection that have been introduced to prospective teachers. Those tools include portfolios, journals, cases, learning maps, stories retold, metaphors, and proverbs. Contains 58 references. (DDR)

Describes the professional development framework utilized in the Integrating Laboratory Instruction and Assessment (INLAB) project directed at changing teacher practice. The framework is based upon the establishment of an intellectual community of learners. (DDR)

Reports on a case study of a beginning science teacher's metaphorical thinking about teaching, learning, and the relationship to practice. Focuses on the rural environment of the third-year biology and science-technology-society (STS) teacher. Contains 27 references. (DDR)

Describes research conducted with student teachers (N=4) in primary and secondary science education. Compares and analyzes conceptions of the teaching and learning of science with classroom practice when teaching science lessons. Contains 101 references. (DDR)

Details the experiences of a teacher who spent a month on a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship. Reports observations of developing El Nino conditions and presents related classroom activities. (DDR)