Chapter 1: Linking Theory and Practice: Teaching Methods Classes in Professional Development Schools

Research on teacher preparation programs calls attention to a need for change in the pedagogy of teacher education (Ball, 2000; Korthagen & Kessels, 1999; Wise & Leibbrand, 2001). For example, Feiman-Nemser (2001) suggests that teacher education programs need to link theory and practice and insist that the important question is “how to integrate the two in such a way that it leads to integration within the teacher” (p. 4). Similarly, Ball (2000) argues for intertwining content and pedagogy in teaching and in learning to teach. She maintains that teachers are often left with the challenge of integrating subject matter knowledge and pedagogy in their work.