The purpose of this research will be (1) to explore the preservice teachers¡¦ understanding of issues in classroom management; (2) to investigate the impact of asynchronous online discussion on preservice teachers¡¦ learning about classroom management; (3) to investigate the relationship between preservice teachers¡¦ reflections, worksheet and asynchronous online discussions; (4) to analyze preservice teachers¡¦ opinions about incorporating asynchronous network system into their classroom and teaching. The participants of this study come from 56 preservice teachers taking Classroom Management Course in NSYSU Teacher Education Program. The Classroom Management Course requires teaching practicum as well as encourages preservice teachers to participate in SCTnet, which is an online professional community for teachers. They can interact, discuss and share experiences online. This 18-week course includes a series of activities such as seminar discussion, interviewing intern and expert teachers, assignment, small group activities in the classroom and asynchronous online discussion. The course aims to integrate theory and practice and to develop preservice teachers¡¦ professional competences in teaching and their classroom management skills. Qualitative research methods were implemented to conduct these studies. The data collection includes assignments, comments of asynchronous discussion board, interviews and questionnaires. Document analysis is used to explore preservice teachers¡¦ interpretation of classroom management knowledge and reflection. This study reaches the following five conclusions: 1. It is a progressive process that preservice teachers understand classroom management issues with the help of course instructor and assignments. 2.The course instructor initiated and leaded discussions in asynchronous discussion board. As time goes by, preservice teachers can actively propose issues for discussion and make statements. Through dialogues, preservice teachers better understand classroom management issues. 3. Due to the lack of practical experiences in teaching, there are over 50% of preservice teachers whose reflection of assignment stagnates no-reflection level. 4. Preservice teachers¡¦ reflection level is influenced by their involvement level in learning, information use behavior and the types of discussion topics in asynchronous discussion board. 5. Most preservice teachers feel satisfied with Classroom Management course and the instructor¡¦s teaching method. In addition, based on the above conclusions, the author proposes recommendations on teacher education curriculum, preservice teachers¡¦ reflection and issues for future research.

This dissertation examines the content of a required classroom management course to determine how preservice teachers are prepared for managing problem behaviors. Qualitative content analysis of interviews with four adjunct classroom management course instructors, their course syllabi, textbooks, assignments and projects, ancillary course materials, fieldwork, and formative assessment revealed how the topic of problem behaviors is incorporated and implemented in the design of the course and how the topic is addressed in the textbooks and other course materials selected for the course. The complexities of scholarly research, individual course instructors’ personal beliefs about classroom and behavior management and problem behaviors, and the implications of those personal beliefs upon text selection and course content that guide the preservice teacher’s developing philosophies to meet the challenges of today’s diverse educational settings provide the foundation for this interpretive analysis. Findings suggest that, regardless of the documented need for additional preservice teacher preparation in managing student behavior in general and problem behavior specifically, course content on problem behaviors in the classroom management course depends upon the course instructors’ personal beliefs about classroom and behavior management that developed through their personal knowledge, experience, and preferences. Academic freedom serves as a centerpiece of university professor and student rights. Academic freedom must support academic responsibility in the design, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum, preparation of course materials, complementary course offerings, and a competent and judicious treatment of the subject. Findings of this study reveal that the university’s academic responsibility for providing a “competent and judicious treatment of the subject” relies upon the personal beliefs of the individual course instructor. / text