Introductory courses in research

The purpose of this article is to describe the ways in which intending teachers in the United Kingdom are acquainted with the principles and methods of educational research. Two points must be emphasized at the outset. The first is that the discussion is intentionally limited to the content of courses of initial training; the more intensive treatment of the topics under review that can undertaken in advanced courses of in-service training is not considered. The second point to be noted is that the institutions-colleges of education and university departments of education-that are responsible for initial training in the United Kingdom are free to fashion their own curricula and methods of instruction. The absence of any central control or direction in these respects leads to a wide variety of practices and, indeed, the content of the initial training programmes in a particular college is determined, to a considerable extent, by the experience, qualifications and predilections of the members of its staff. The account that follows refers to the procedures adopted by some of the best qualified and most farsighted of those responsible for the training of teachers. Alfred Yates, formerly Senior Research Officer at the National Foundation for Educational Research, is at present Senior Tutor in the Departmen of Educational Studies at Oxford University. His educational writings includeAdmission to Grammar Schools, Grouping in Education, An Introduction to Educational Measurement (with D. A. Pidgeon), andThe Role of Research in Educational Change     

Iodine content of oyster shells

A report is given of the investigation of the iodine content of oyster shells taken from the reefs found in the Gulf of Mexico. The pulverized shells as sold on the market contain 200 to 300 parts per billion of iodine. Water soluble and alcohol soluble iodides appear to be absent. The granulated undried shells contain 500 parts per billion of iodine. Apparently there is a loss of iodine due to the temperature at which the pulverized shells are dried.     

The focus of responsibility for education of the severely and profoundly retarded

The current concern for the extension of a free public education to the severely and profoundly retarded has precipitated a general assumption among many persons that the public schools will play a major role in providing educational services for this population. In view of the past failures of programs for the mildly (EMR) and moderately (TMR) retarded in the public schools, the authors advocate a new concept in delivery systems and teacher training that more appropriately reflects the needs of the severely and profoundly retarded.     

Knowing and learning about science in a preservice setting: A narrative study

This study employs narrative methods to give a holistic view of the experiences of five mature age preservice teachers in a semester unit of science education. The unit was designed to help teachers examine and make explicit their ideas about science and science teaching and consider ways in which they might put those ideas into practice. The pivotal theme, around which the teachers' experiences could be organised, was found to be learning science. The preservice teachers expressed a need for a supportive learning environment in which concepts were built gradually and introduced using concrete examples. Previous science experience was found to be a major influence on the attitudes the participants brought to the present course. A lack of previous experience or negative past experiences were a major cause of anxiety. Gender was also important as it had limited the science experiences available to some participants in the past and continued to influence the way they participated in classes during the semester. Specializations: primary science, science teacher education, primary school field experience. Specializations: formation of teachers' knowledge, leadership, teacher change, school reform.     

Exit cards: creating a dialogue for continuous evaluation

This study explored the use of Exit Cards, which are formative evaluations of student knowledge and instruction undertaken at every class meeting. Its results are based on Exit Card data from two undergraduate research methods courses. Thematic analysis indicated that students used Exit Cards to communicate (1) what they learned, (2) challenges with course material, (3) experiences with peers, (4) requests for help, (5) challenges with coping, and (6) successes. While the present study is an initial exploration of the use of Exit Cards, it contributes to knowledge on the utilization of informal formative assessments.     

Behavior problems in blind children and youth: A prevalence study

The Behavior Problem Checklist (Quay & Peterson, 1979) was completed by classroom teachers for 104 children and youth (64 boys and 40 girls) at a state residential school for the blind to determine the prevalence of problem behavior. Results were compared to earlier studies of behavior problems of nonhandicapped children and of two groups of hearing-impaired children, one living at home and attending a community program and a second group attending a state residential school. Results were more similar to those obtained with the hearing-impaired children in the residential setting than to either the nonhandicapped or the hearing-impaired living at home. Comparisons by sex failed to find statistically significant differences.