Observation and Activity: An Orientation Experience for Education Majors.

Placing education majors in field-based experiences before student teaching has become a common practice in teacher preparation. Two introductory education courses offered at Northwest Missouri State University were designed to provide education majors with classroom experiences early in their program of study. The courses, Observation and Activity in the Elementary School (freshman year) and Observation and Activity in the Secondary School (sophomore year), are required for admission into the teacher education program. Four aspects of the courses are presented: (1) course history and evolution; (2) course components--observation and participation under the supervision of a classroom teacher, keeping a daily journal, and taking part in weekly discussions; (3) course benefits (provides an opportunity to examine teaching as a career choice and offers a preview of student teaching); and (4) future prospects for the courses. Information was obtained from interviews with course founders, instructors, and students, and from course syllabi. An observation and activity time line, observation suggestions from the course syllabus, a course evaluation, and diagrams of the interconnection of assignments and assignment goals are included. (LL)