Education & Pedagogy

A study investigated the prior employment background of students in a British graduate teacher education program, and the impact of their background on student attitudes and experiences in an experiential learning component which places secondary school teacher trainees in industrial, commercial, and community service contexts. (MSE)

Compares science preparation requirements of preservice elementary teachers with standards set by NSTA. Questionnaire was sent to 321 AACTE institutions. Most colleges do not require recommended 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of science, and only 20 percent of schools have science content courses designed for elementary education majors. Differences between universities with semester and quarter hours are discussed. (PR)

Addresses the impact of computing on engineering education and the gradual infusion of computing work into the engineering curriculum since the early 1960s. This lecture discusses the academic computing environment in terms of initial developments, what students should know, how to build a network infrastructure, the "first" computing course, the computer as teacher, and some predictions for the future. (JJK)

Discusses hypermedia; examines cognitive theories of learning and hypermedia; and describes hypermedia applications in science education, including physical delivery of information, curriculum design, and promotion of scientific inquiry. Research projects at Vanderbilt University dealing with aspects of science education, including elementary teacher education, videodisc technology, and mathematical problem solving, are described. (28 references) (LRW)

Teacher education programs must help teachers handle children from diverse family backgrounds. Knowledge of family structures, acceptance of changes, and techniques for improving communication with parents should be included in preservice and inservice teacher education. Children's literature provides one way for teacher educators to increase knowledge in that area. (SM)

The understanding and practice of multicultural education can be enriched by expanding the discourse to include comparative perspectives from around the world. A Virginia teacher educator uses videocases (containing slices of educational life, teaching notes, and a written set of expert interpretations) to help students engage in a series of professional problem-solving behaviors. A sidebar presents 10 commandments of teaching black history. (MLH)

This article describes a change model, which links urban public school and teacher preparation renewal, that emerged from a three-year school district-university collaboration. Topics include the professional development continuum, from early field experiences to professional educator experiences, school- and university-based clinical faculty, and institutionalization of program features. (IAH)

Characteristics and opinions of 510 public school teachers who were graduate and undergraduate alumni of Kyoto University (Japan), a research university, were analyzed in an effort to assess the teacher education experience in a general research university program as compared to preservice education in a teacher training institution or department. (IAH)

Survey of 500 teachers of sexuality education in New Jersey shows differences between richer and poorer districts. Teachers in rich districts get more parental support and have greater access to training, colleagues, curricular guidance, instructional materials. Sexuality education is more likely to be required and is taken by more students. Differences are attributed to inadequate support for urban schools. (MLH)

One form of educational inequity faced by most students is that schools recognize only linguistic and logical intelligence and do not allow for forms of intelligence expressed through the arts. The performance-based assessments of the Kentucky Education Reform Act and the Kentucky Basic Arts pilot program address the multiple intelligences of Kentucky students. (SLD)

An analysis of primary, secondary, and higher-education enrollment ratios and public unit cost of education by socioeconomic status (SES) in the major world regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, and European countries) shows that, in developing nations, higher SES groups receive a larger share of public education resources. (KS)

Presents an action framework for population education in four sections: (1) policies, programming, and institutional coordination; (2) conceptualization and content at different levels of education; (3) strategies for the development of educational action; and (4) logistic support activities. Foresees two levels of action: direct within the countries and regional, multilateral, and bilateral cooperation within the world community. (MDH)

This position paper generates consensus regarding the contribution of the social foundations of education (SFE) to effective teaching. The paper distinguishes the meanings of SFE from those of foundations of education, states the contributions of SFE instruction in teacher education programs, and proposes relevant content and processes of study. (SM)

Responds to Arthur Efland's analysis of the relationship between current theories of teaching and learning and preservice art teacher education. Asserts that the cultural pluralism of today's schools is a significant factor in curriculum planning for art education. Discusses three characteristics of successful art teachers. (CFR)

Effects of Brown vs. Board of Education, the 1954 case in which the Supreme Court outlawed "separate but equal" education, are examined. Selected events in the history since the decision are chronicled, and trends in high school and college graduation rates for black students are charted. Educators discuss their own experiences of change. (MSE)