The Effects of an Inquiry-oriented Teacher Education Program on a Faculty Member: Some critical incidents and my journey

Abstract

This paper is a self-study of my work as a professor as I redesigned and implemented an innovative teacher education program at OISE/UT. I begin by providing the background and setting to our program, a one-year, post-baccalaureate B.Ed. program. Since it is cohort-based, 60 students, we had the opportunity to structure the program around action research philosophy and practice. I describe and analyze seven 'critical incidents' from my own work in restructuring of the program. Using Schon's theory of reflective practice as the framework I examine my work in light of key concepts such as repertoire, artistry, reflection on action, reflective conversations, reframing, and so on. I show how my personal development as a reflective practitioner helped me develop the teacher education program to be more consistent with the theory and practice of reflective practice.