Teacher educators of pre-service teachers of students with special needs face challenges in providing the unique knowledge and skills required of highly qualified special education teachers. The emerging use of various forms of virtual technology, however, offers realistic solutions to these problems. This systematic review of literature examines…

Over the last decade, the obligation of general and special educators to utilize evidence-based instructional practices has become more prominent. Research increasingly suggests the failure of didactic teacher training alone to ensure implementation with fidelity of these practices by teachers in their classrooms. Multicomponent training (MCT)…

The purpose of this article is to examine and analyze current instructional practices in relation to the phases of learning so that K-12 teachers can use those practices effectively to accommodate students' diverse needs in learning. In the analysis, the authors focus on the proper uses of instructional methods to maximize students' learning…

Seventy-six teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing within a western state of the United States were surveyed to explore their perceptions of the (a) importance of self-determination, (b) skills taught to students, (c) skills used by students, and (d) benefits associated with teaching self-determination. Results indicated that teachers believed…

University faculty and supervisors dedicated to the preparation of future teachers are facing more challenges than ever before in doing more with less. This includes supervising more preservice teachers in more schools, spread out over a wide geographic area. Feedback is essential to learning, and recent research suggests that the most effective…

Teacher education programs are limited in terms of available face-to-face instructional time for preparing general education teacher candidates to work with students with exceptionalities. Given this constraint, developing innovative use of technologies may assist in meeting the demand for highly qualified teachers for such students. In this…

This study examines preservice teachers' perspectives on family involvement in special education and effective teaching methods for delivering family-involvement content. Eighty-three preservice teachers provided data on pre- and postadministrations of a questionnaire. The effectiveness of two methods, a video and a guest speaker, in delivering…

In this study, the authors evaluate the efficacy of videotape analysis with structured expert consultation and self-evaluation to improve teacher candidates' instructional delivery. A single-case, multiple-baseline, across-participants design was used to evaluate lesson components, rate of praise statements, and rate of opportunities to respond…

Case methodology is receiving more recognition in the field of education as a viable pedagogy for use in the preparation of future educators. In this article, the coauthors explore two examples of case method instruction that extend beyond university classrooms to field sites: case report and case study. Both examples were used in special…

An investigation on the use of literature as part of the teacher preparation process probed the impact of book talks on teacher candidates' attitudes toward people with disabilities. Candidates in a 4-year undergraduate program participated in book talks reflecting subjects relevant to course work. Books reflected various effects of disability,…

This paper presents the findings of a study of learning gains made by students with disabilities and those without disability when taught by teacher candidates completing a unified teacher preparation program. "The Student Academic Performance Sample", the culminating performance-based assessment of the program was the primary data source. This…

Interactive, multimedia cases with technology supports present new ways of teaching and learning in teacher education. In this mixed-methods, naturalistic study, the authors investigate how and what participants learn from multimedia cases and, in particular, how instructional implementation affects learning outcomes from multimedia cases.…

This study examined the perceptions of 88 graduate students on the use of Web-based instruction in preparing special education personnel. Following the collection of data using surveys, 6 participants were randomly selected from the original sample and interviewed. Findings supported Web-based instruction as a convenient way for students to pursue…

At the postsecondary level, instructors widely use a lecture format to impart knowledge to students. With this pilot study, the authors examine the effects of guided notes and response cards on students' performance on weekly quiz scores and in-class participation. Using an ABCBC withdrawal design, guided notes and response cards used together are…

China has initiated experiments on "Learning in Regular Classrooms" (LRC) since the mid-1980s in response to the international trend of inclusive education and the domestic need of serving large numbers of children with disabilities. LRC is the main strategy to promote compulsory education for youngsters with disabilities. Despite the fact that…