Community-Based Field Experiences in Teacher Education

Abstract

This chapter proposes the value of offering teacher candidates an opportunity to participate in community-based field experiences during their teacher education programs. Community-based field experiences, in contrast to traditional, classroom-based placements usually offered at this stage in prospective teachers' professional preparation, enable beginning teachers to conceptualize their own learning and the learning of their students in new ways. As part of teacher education programs, the community-based field experience serves a distinct purpose and place, and one that is often underexplored. This chapter describes the integration of community-based field experiences into teacher education programs and discusses the unique quality of community-based settings as potential sites for teachers' learning.