Finnish fifth-graders (n=20) and sixth-graders (n=23) worked in teams in a Lego/Logo-Control Lab to complete Lego design activities. Observations showed that they became familiar with automation technology but their skills were not always up to their ideas. Activities based on real-life situations gave them ownership and engaged them in learning.…

Reports on a cross-cultural study into science teachers' awareness of potential culture clashes in their classrooms where their students' home culture differed from the culture of Western science being taught. In one setting, Canadian teachers taught mainly Aboriginal students. In the second setting, Japanese teachers taught Western science to…

Focuses on the implementation and evaluation of instructional strategies in a core science education methods course within a Bachelor of Education preservice program. Examines how a collaborative learning experience that incorporated components of problem based learning was implemented and how students reacted to and reflected upon this approach.…

Identifies the factors influencing K-12 science teachers' implementation of constructivism in their classrooms. Specifically examines the implementation of five subcomponents of constructivism: personal relevance, critical voice, scientific uncertainty, shared control, and student negotiation. Also assesses the relationship between these belief…

Describes how one instructor used science education methodology in a language arts methods course. The purpose was to understand how preservice teachers might improve their science teaching through language arts methods. Discusses one preservice teacher and her use of the methodology in the science methods course in which she was currently…

Discusses the use of case methods in a teacher development setting where participants included teachers implementing an innovative four-year secondary mathematics curriculum. Suggests that the cases had played a surprisingly powerful role in helping the teachers acknowledge their classroom concerns and begin to address these concerns. (Contains 40…

Three elements of the ecology of mathematics methods field experience were particularly important in promoting reflective thinking among preservice teachers: (1) an inquiry perspective; (2) the cohort group; and (3) school-university collaboration. Describes these three aspects of the ecology of the field experience and provides the perspectives…

Analyzes college geometry courses with regard to content, pedagogy, and assessment based on 30 syllabi and 108 questionnaire responses from randomly selected U.S. colleges and universities. Concludes that common characteristics are evident but wide diversity exists. Notes that a typical geometry course did not emerge from the data. (Contains 20…

Explores the connections that three preservice elementary teachers made between their experiences as learners of mathematics in masters-level university methods courses and their experiences as teachers of mathematics in the fieldwork classroom. Concludes that the goals of methods courses should include developing and nurturing particular habits…

Examines important factors and student outcomes in action research courses taught via distance in a Master of Education program. Discusses communication that evolved from mail and phone correspondence to email and online discussion groups; technical aspects, including working with collaborative groups; and human aspects, including providing…

Investigates the role of professional development in the implementation of computer technologies in Canadian schools. Examines three examples of professional development; identifies issues encountered when teachers participate in large- and small-scale professional development programs; and suggests key elements that should be considered when…

Presents a model for designing student-centered, technology-rich learning environments (SCenTRLE) to help educators operationalize constructivist and student-centered approaches to teaching and learning. Highlights include facilitating knowledge construction and lifelong learning; technology use; student attitudes; levels of implementation;…

Describes a study conducted in New Zealand that investigated factors affecting the use of technology in secondary schools. Focuses on the leadership role of the ICT (information and communication technology) coordinators, suggests that they could be agents of change to provide professional development, and discusses barriers to effective…

Describes a mentoring program for preservice teachers that focused on the use of the Internet for teaching and learning. Discusses use of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model, which describes three developmental phases of concerns regarding innovation and change; and the Stages of Concern Questionnaire and its validity for preservice teachers.…

Discusses mathematics and science education reforms that encourage teachers to adapt instruction as students raise new ideas, defines what it means to notice, and describes a multimedia software tool designed to help teachers learn to do so. Reports results of a study in which teachers seeking secondary teaching certification used the software.…