Surveys graduate and undergraduate mechanical engineering students at the University of Auckland. Shows that the dominant work activities of New Zealand mechanical engineers include design and consultancy and that graduate engineers rapidly migrate into management. (Author/CCM)

Demonstrates the job-analysis technique for evaluating and updating syllabi. Examines the correspondence between the training syllabus for the Bachelor of Technology in Engineering and practical engineers in the area of biotechnology. (Author/CCM)

Learning-centered teaching involves adopting teaching methods such as student-centered learning, active learning, didactic teaching, and problem-based learning where they are appropriate. Describes this process and makes recommendations. (Author/CCM)

Examines recent organizational changes within Norway's teacher education, highlighting two state colleges and exploring: how teacher education leaders from the current and former systems perceive these changes and how they meet new challenges. Results from interviews with academic and administrative leaders are presented, emphasizing evaluation of…

Examined the impact on Dutch mentors and institute teachers of the new requirement that student teachers nearing completion of coursework must teach without immediate supervision for several months. Surveys investigated how this change affected the content and process of mentoring. Mentors and institute teachers acted as supportive counselors and…

Examined newly certified Irish secondary teachers' feelings about the adequacy of their preservice teacher preparation, experiences with beginning teacher supports, and visions for induction. Results indicated they were generally satisfied with preservice training, enjoyed the rewards of seeing students learn, but were concerned about discipline…

Describes a framework for integrating reflection and teacher competency development into teacher education programs, introducing a spiral model for reflection, standard reflection questions, and a method of structuring logbooks, all designed to develop a competency for self-directed professional growth in interpersonal classroom behavior. An…

Examined the academic and social integration experiences of English and Irish first-year preservice teachers. Survey data indicated that students in both countries were committed to their courses, satisfied with their choice of courses, and planning to continue the next year. They had high academic aspirations. English students appeared better…

Presents an overview of various approaches to evaluating inservice teacher education in the United Kingdom and elaborating on one approach: evaluation for decision making (including context evaluation, input evaluation, process evaluation, product evaluation, and transfer evaluation). The paper also discusses some general principles to help…

Investigated the ability of Swedish student teachers to explain everyday phenomena in science education, asking all fourth-term student teachers about phenomena where transformations of matter were involved. Analysis of students' written answers indicates that there is a great need in teacher training to work with conceptual understanding and with…

Investigated how Israeli secondary physics student teachers developed understanding of the concept of force during preservice teaching. Results from a longitudinal study included the fact that most respondents: held the Aristotelian impetus misconception; held the fading-away concept; had difficulty recognizing reaction as a force; and were…

Surveyed and interviewed 13 experienced German middle school mathematics teachers to examine key factors causing discontinuity in their professional development. Results included 49 statements about change that fell into four categories. Researchers extracted three change factors not reported in earlier literature: experiences and observations…

Describes a mathematics early intervention program that involves faculty development to help teachers identify, then assist, first graders at risk of mathematics failure. The program incorporates tools and learning activities based on recent research about children's early numerical learning. The course highlights the benefits of clinical…

Introduces a special theme journal issue on research and education in quality control, maintenance, reliability, risk analysis, and safety. Discusses each of these theme concepts and their applications to naval architecture, marine engineering, and industrial engineering. Considers the effects of the rapid transfer of research results through…

Discusses the applicability of the definition, principles, and underlying strategies of total quality management (TQM) for engineering education. Describes several tools and methods for the implementation of TQM and its suitability for a variety of school activities. Presents a TQM course outline combining lectures, discussions, suggested…