The preservice teacher education program at the University of Western Sydney (Australia) includes in-school experiences intended to address criticisms of the traditional practicum. This article outlines the principles underlying an innovative final semester school-based experience; describes the experiences in practice; and discusses student,…

American and New Zealander education majors completed an exchange program that included student teaching abroad. Student journals and interviews after the experience indicated that, through their international experiences, students gained more appreciation for their home school culture and acquired new attitudes and beliefs to test against the…

The University of New England (Australia) conducts annual professional experience visits to remote rural areas in Papua New Guinea for trainee teachers and staff. This article examines changes in student teachers' perceptions after experiencing a culture and environment so different from their own. Surveys have indicated that students…

A collaboration between Australia, New Zealand, and the United States lets student teachers experience the educational systems of other countries. Student teachers, cooperating teachers, and teacher educators work together to ensure successful experiences for Pacific Region Student Teaching Program participants. Positive aspects, barriers, and…

Describes an international teacher education project, the Regina-Yaounde Inter-University Project, as one approach to the development of global consciousness in student teachers. The stories of two of the student participants (from Cameroon and Canada) in the student exchange component illustrate the impact of the experience on their professional…

This article presents a comparative analysis of the changes in teacher education in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the United States, reporting the significant changes proposed for teacher education in Taiwan and comparing them to the major themes in the United States teacher education reform movement. (SM)

This paper describes preservice teacher education in China, focusing on tracks or programs for Chinese teacher education, the current situation, innovations and reform, and prospects for the future. Achievements in Chinese higher teacher training institutions over the past 10 years are noted. (SM)

Describes a preprofessional teacher training program (a pedagogical class) that was developed in Russia during the period of "Perestroika." Focusing on the sociocultural conditions of development, the article details students' practical work and outlines some features of pedagogical classes, secondary school curricula, and pedagogical gymnasiums.…

The initial training of the United Kingdom's primary teachers is undergoing major restructuring. This article analyzes the main strands of these changes over the last 10 years, examining both the politicization of teacher education and the development of theoretical perspectives that reveal the complexity of the nature of professional knowledge.…

Describes preservice teacher training in South Africa, highlighting distance teaching (including a guided self-study workbook) that leads to a one-year postgraduate higher education diploma designed to meet the teacher shortage. The paper discusses the extent to which students can be guided to bridge the gap between theory and practice in field…

This opinion paper examines the educational process in Russia's pedagogical colleges over the past several years, noting how the democratic changes in Russia's economic and social life have affected the Russian system of education. Problems with the system and perspectives for the future are discussed. (SM)

Portfolio assessment can be a valuable tool in assessing professional proficiency in teachers if appropriate attention is given to issues of reliability and validity. The Teaching Assessment Project at Stanford University has explored portfolios as an alternative to traditional methods of teacher evaluation. (IAH)