Paper describes one approach to preservice teacher education that considers the experiences of other nations and cultures in meeting the educational needs of students, arguing for the merits of closely analyzing particular examples of English elementary school practice in the context of an advanced undergraduate course in elementary teacher…

Describes how James Cook University (Australia) structured feminist cultural studies into a freshman undergraduate course on communications, media, and education. When students were able to "freelance" with media texts, teachers could generate and access student knowledge outside the parameters of normative content and skills set in…

Surveys of homosexual support groups nationwide asked how respondents felt about being gay in high school and how school staff could improve the experience. Few had happy high school memories. Most wanted teachers to actively interrupt homophobic and prejudiced behavior and promote awareness. Preservice teachers need preparation for such…

This paper describes activities, content, and basic conceptions used in a multicultural education course designed for preservice teachers at Montana State University in a homogeneous region, discussing such specific needs as basic awareness of and positive attitudes about diversity in general. (SM)

In 1930, Japanese philosopher Tsunesaburo Makiguchi stated that happiness was education's main goal. The paper examines Makiguchi's work as relevant to the American educational system and teacher education. Makiguchi cautioned that children's inherent love of learning could be extinguished by systems that force-fed students information in order to…

Paper responds to an article on a nonformal Peace Corps teacher education program that prepares teachers to teach English as a Foreign Language in central and eastern European countries, discussing various aspects of the program as important models for accomplishing the more diverse, larger, and problematic preservice education in America. (SM)

Paper describes the experiences of a Lithuanian-American teacher who traveled to Lithuania to conduct summer seminars for early childhood educators. Through the seminars, she not only taught the teachers about whole language, integrated curriculum, and cooperative learning, but she learned about the politics involved in educational reform in…

Describes a trip to Russia by a delegation of educators from the United States to learn about educational reform, examining the 10 principles currently guiding reform efforts in Russia. Participants learned that education there has already changed from the version that existed under the U.S.S.R. governmental structure. (SM)

An acute problem in developing nations is that of furnishing appropriate reading materials, including those for teacher education programs. The paper describes seven efforts to produce teacher education reading materials at a reasonable cost and suited to local needs for preservice teacher education in Indonesia. (SM)

A Caucasian teacher reflects on her experiences over the years of being part of and then teaching within diverse student populations, explaining what it feels like to be white in a world so worried about, yet so often unfair to, people of color. (SM)

Paper discusses the pros and cons of college students using the first person singular pronoun in writing and discussion, emphasizing the need to find a balance between the use of the words "I" and "they" and to teach students critical reflection, analysis, sharing, and listening skills. (SM)

Van Til's 1962 article on whether or not progressive education is obsolete was a response to charges that the new education as espoused by Dewey was outmoded. This paper reexamines Van Til's article and suggests a prognostication similar to Van Til's could be ventured today that another period of progressivism is inevitable. (SM)

Critiques the concept of resistance in interpreting students' behaviors and attitudes, examining political, social, and psychological connotations of resistance and contradictory ways that educators employ the concept. The paper explains limitations imposed on education by the concept, noting the work of educators who reassess the implications of…

Current teacher education works against a more inclusive curriculum regarding special education. Academic curriculum, civic culture, and teacher education individually and collectively promote separate teacher education programs and separate educational systems. Disability studies are introduced as an epistemological framework to help redress…

Describes a course in which female preservice educators were encouraged to participate socially and teach elementary mathematics in such a way as to make it personally meaningful. The paper discusses Paulo Freire's views on student oppression and empowerment, noting how they relate to these students' experiences as recorded through observation and…