Course For Pre-service Teachers Research Articles

Authentic Assessments for an In-Person or Online Science Course for Preservice Teachers

Authentic Assessments for an In-Person or Online Science Course for Preservice Teachers

Exploring Gender Relations via Shakespeare: Students’ perspectives on Shakespeare’s life

In this article, we discuss the application of feminist theory and criticism in the teaching of Shakespeare in higher education institutions and consider biographical approaches to Shakespeare as instructive for pedagogic engagements with students. We present an analysis of students’ responses to a short YouTube video about Shakespeare’s life used in a second-year English course for pre-service teachers at a South African university. The design and implementation of the course was informed by feminist Shakespeare criticism and theory which challenges the misogynistic attitudes and patriarchal ideologies embedded in Shakespeare’s works, as well as the sexist images of women appearing in many of his plays and poems. The analysis of students’ responses to Shakespeare’s life reveals that students found him to be an absent and a fugitive father and husband as well as a misogynist. Students nevertheless expressed sympathy for Shakespeare, which was neither dismissive nor defensive of his absenteeism and sexism. We argue therefore that the students’ responses echoed feminist interventions that counter the masculinist perspectives dominant in many biographical studies of Shakespeare.

Exploring Project-Based Learning: Physics E-Posters in Pre-Service Science Education

This study investigates the implementation of project-based learning, explicitly focusing on designing and presenting e-posters within the Basic Physics course for pre-service science teachers, with a particular emphasis on pre-service biology teachers. Descriptive and correlational quantitative methods were utilized to analyze data collected from 16 participating students throughout 16 sessions. The assessment perspectives of lecturers, peers, and self-assessment were examined, revealing disparities in scores and highlighting the importance of multiple assessment sources. Recognition through awards was granted to students with exemplary performance, while guidance sessions led by the instructor significantly correlated with improvements in poster design. Analysis of poster content indicated a focus on fundamental physics concepts, mainly mechanics, with students utilizing various information sources. The study underscores the effectiveness of project-based learning in promoting student engagement, skill development, and conceptual understanding in physics education.

Demystifying math myths: Examining rules that expire

AbstractIn our mathematics methods courses for elementary preservice teachers, we work to uncover and confront students' understandings as well as misconceptions about important mathematical topics. Karp and colleagues' (Teaching Children Mathematics, 21(1), 18–25) “13 Rules That Expire” article has been a useful resource for us to highlight and challenge students' mathematical misconceptions. In this article, we share the components of an iteratively developed assignment focused on the 13 rules article. We detail how students explored the “lives” of these rules and investigated alternatives to pervasive mathematics shortcuts and tricks. We posit that our intentionally designed assignment provides an opportunity for students to think critically about their views, beliefs, and misconceptions, which encourages a mindset for preservice teachers to consider the kinds of mathematical misconceptions they will encounter in their classroom teaching. We anticipate that sharing this developed assignment with other mathematics teacher educators could provide opportunities for additional adaptations in unique contexts and continued improvements to support future teachers.

Teaching preservice teachers to do research: an action research study

Abstract This action research (AR) study explored how research instruction was integrated in a sociolinguistics course for preservice language teachers at a US university. Data collected from two research cycles included surveys, student work, students’ free-writing, teacher journals, and student interviews. This article focuses on how AR informed the course structure and what preservice teachers gained. Findings suggested that research instruction positively influenced how teacher trainees thought about, felt about, and pursued research (cognitive, affective, and behavioral changes). They also reported gains in knowledge and skills that could be useful for their future career and/or studies. Implications from this study can inform other educators who strive to develop students’ research skills in a non-research focused class.

Tech-Enhanced Learning

The current study uses the lens of Robert Gagne’s nine events of instruction and the flipped classroom approach to construct a proposed educational module to teach the instructional technology course for preservice teachers at Al Ain University in UAE. The content was broken down into small parts and presented to students through videos and interactive learning exercises. A quasi-experiment was conducted to study the designed module’s effectiveness. The sample involved two groups of 50 female postgraduates from different fields of specialization. The experimental group students were taught through the implementation of the flipped microlearning module, while the control group was taught the same way, except that the educational content was conveyed without chunking. The researcher collected data by administering an achievement test and using the UTAUT questionnaire to determine student acceptance of the module. The result of the ANCOVA test revealed the existence of a substantial difference between the two groups, as f reached 4.427 in favor of the experimental group, with a significance level of 0.038. The questionnaire findings indicated high student acceptance of the module. The findings are of great importance for educational policy and curriculum designers and highlight the advantages of this module in enhancing student performance in different specialist fields.

The effect of project-based cooperative learning on disability empathy in pre-service early childhood teachers

This study investigated the effect of project-based cooperative learning in an introductory special education class on disability empathy. Disability empathy is an important competency for pre-service teachers who teach children with disabilities. The subjects of this study were 49 university students who were completing a qualification course for pre-service teachers who teach children with disabilities. First, through theoretical learning, interest and understanding of disabled infants and toddlers were raised, and educational program production activities were carried out to increase understanding of disabilities. Project-based cooperative learning was conducted for a total of 30 hours over 15 weeks. As a result of the study, it was found that the disability empathy of pre-service early childhood teachers significantly increased after the implementation of project-based cooperative learning, and the active interaction item score was the highest in the class satisfaction area. As a result, it was found that project-based cooperative learning has a significant effect on pre-service early childhood teachers' disability empathy and promotes active interaction. The significance of this study is that it empirically verified the effect of project-based cooperative learning on preservice teachers’ disability empathy. It is hoped that the results of this study will be used as teacher education materials to improve pre-service teachers’ disability empathy.

Designing a course for pre-service science teachers using ChatGPT: what ChatGPT brings to the table

ABSTRACT ChatGPT holds significant potential for enhancing learning through integration into education as an advanced chatbot. With the goal of harnessing this potential, our research focused on exploring the utilization of ChatGPT in designing a course plan for pre-service science teachers. We adopted a qualitative research approach and employed ChatGPT as an assistant to create a course plan for classroom assessment in science education. Our conversation to create this plan served as our data source for document analysis. We conducted interpretive analysis for qualitative data. The findings emphasized the benefits of ChatGPT in developing an implementable course plan, delivering adaptable information, and time saving. However, there were limitations to consider. These challenges encompassed issues such as communicating out of ChatGPT and the possibility of miscommunication. Despite these limitations, the research findings clearly demonstrate that ChatGPT is highly effective in developing a course plan. As researchers who have personally experienced the process of creating a course plan using ChatGPT, we believe that its potential needs to be maximally utilized. We suggest its application across different subjects and disciplines to thoroughly examine its strengths and weaknesses in depth.

Problem Posing and Quantitative Reasoning Opportunities Provided by Mathematics Textbooks for Pre-service Elementary Teachers: A Qualitative Document Analysis

ABSTRACT This qualitative document analysis study reports on opportunities to learn provided by textbooks for mathematics content courses for pre-service elementary teachers. Specifically, the study examined opportunities to engage in problem posing and quantitative reasoning, in the context of fractions, provided by six textbooks commonly used in the teaching of content knowledge courses for pre-service elementary mathematics teachers in the United States. Among other things, this examination revealed two key findings. First, all the textbooks provide numerous opportunities that could potentially trigger students’ quantitative reasoning. This is commendable, and a positive response to growing calls to increase such opportunities in mathematics education. Second, there is a paucity of opportunities to engage in problem posing in all the textbooks. Given the numerous benefits of using problem posing in the teaching and learning of mathematics, we recommend that authors of textbooks for mathematics content courses for pre-service elementary teachers provide more opportunities to engage in problem posing in their textbooks. We argue that the act of problem posing requires significant quantitative reasoning, and thus problem posing provides the opportunity for students to develop such reasoning. Implications for instruction and directions for future research are discussed.

Parental involvement in primary schools in Tanzania: Effects of a pre- and in-service teacher training

This paper reports on the effects of a teacher capacity building programme to increase parental involvement in primary schools in Tanzania. One training focused on in-service teachers (n = 169) and the other was a blended learning course for pre-service teachers (n = 509). We implemented a three-measures longitudinal study design, with a cluster randomised controlled trial design for the in-service teacher group. Hierarchical linear modelling showed an increase in teachers' self-reported beliefs about parental involvement. For the pre-service teachers, there was an actual increase in inviting parents to be involved. There was no significant increase in self-reported teacher efficacy.

예비교사를 위한 AI 활용 수업 사례 및 효과성 분석

The purpose of this study was to examine a instructional case and effectiveness in order to derive implications for designing AI education courses for pre-service teachers. To this end, we conducted a preliminary survey of 50 elementary and secondary pre-service teachers at a four-year university in the Seoul, and found that perceived usefulness had a significant effect on the intention to adopt AI technology, and based on this, we designed a class that considered the usefulness of AI. The designed AI utilization class was validated by two pedagogical experts, and the final design was derived and applied to the class. To verify the effectiveness of the program, we conducted a paired t-test and found that AI class was effective. The post-test showed that perceived usefulness and social influence were positively related to the intention to use of AI. Therefore, AI utilization education for pre-service teachers should focus primarily on the usefulness of AI in teaching and learning, but should also consider various independent variables that affect technology acceptance.

Interactive equality in peer assessment: The impacts on preservice teachers’ technology-enhanced learning design and feedback uptake

To address the limitation of lacking interactivity in conventional peer assessment, this study proposed an interactive peer assessment approach and examined its effectiveness in an undergraduate course for preservice teachers (PSTs). Seventy-two PSTs were randomly assigned to the interactive or conventional group. The results indicated that the interactive group outperformed the conventional group with regard to technology-enhanced learning design skills, feedback quality and feedback uptake. Furthermore, feedback uptake was identified as a mediating factor to the effectiveness of the interactive approach. The study advocates for the integration of an interactive peer assessment approach into future online teacher educational settings.

Learning to Teach in Out-of-University and Out-ofSchool Environments in Primary Teacher Education in Estonia, Finland, and Sweden

Learning in diverse settings during pre-service teacher training equips future primary teachers with the knowledge and skills to teach in authentic learning environments later in their work lives. This experience helps to meet the varying needs of their future students who have increasingly diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds with varying levels of access to learning and knowledge. During their university studies, pre-service teachers need to recognise the value of outof-school environments, reinforce awareness in practice, and reflect on experiences to deepen pedagogical thinking about learning environments. This multiple case study describes the common practices in the pre-service training of primary teachers at Tallinn University, University of Helsinki and Uppsala University concerning teaching in out-of-classroom learning environments. Our aim was to explore the ways that the three universities support pre-service primary teachers in using out-ofschool learning environments in their future practice. We intended to identify practices regarding our respective national curricula and university courses for pre-service primary teachers. We have three main suggestions for teacher educators regarding learning to teach in diverseenvironments: enable meaningful and reflective practical tasks in out of university learning environments for pre-service teachers; ensure the sustainability of external partnerships by stating collaborative practices in course programmes while leaving flexibility in the details; and reflect on professional networking across the boundaries of institutions.

Collaboration and cross-pollination: teaching garden-based learning through PDS partnerships

PurposeSchool gardening and garden-based learning (GBL) have gained great popularity in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic forced many educators to think creatively about safe, outdoor education. Scholarship from diverse disciplines has demonstrated the positive impact of GBL on student learning, attitudes toward school and various health outcomes. Despite widespread interest in school gardening, GBL remains absent from most teacher education programs. This is a critical disconnect, as teacher education programs deeply inform the pedagogy of future teachers. In this article, the authors discuss an independent study course for pre-service teachers designed to bridge this gap and share the perspectives of the future teachers who completed the course.Design/methodology/approachTo understand and evaluate the experiences of the preservice teachers engaged in the GBL independent study course, the authors conducted an exploratory qualitative case study.FindingsThe authors argue that GBL curriculum integration in teacher education programs, along with garden-focused PDS partnerships, can be powerful levers in expanding gardening initiatives and preparing pre-service teachers to garden with their future students.Originality/valueThe authors also provide GBL suggestions for universities and partnership schools.

Practical problem-solving tasks for meaningful learning and retention in college chemistry for pre-service teachers

This study investigated the influence of practical problem-solving tasks (PPST) in promoting meaningful learning (ML) and retention in a nonlaboratory chemistry component of a physical science course for pre-service teachers (PSTs). It utilized a mixed-methods research using a modified quasi-experimental design followed by a detailed analysis of change in the conceptual understanding of case participants. The researcher employed mechanical and statistical matching to select 80 participants in two intact groups. The study’s findings revealed that using PPST as a mode of instruction significantly promoted ML and meaningful retention of chemistry concepts. The study generated patterns of explanation, patterns of change in the level of conceptual understanding, and patterns of regression in understanding. The study further argued that PSTs exposed to PPST experienced ML as evidenced by (1) the outcome–significant differences in performances in ML and meaningful retention tests, (2) the process–qualitative evidence of positive change in conceptual understanding, and (3) the context–use of PPST designed for PSTs to engage in a learning process meaningfully. This study called for further research on the inclusion of PPST in other nonlaboratory classes in chemistry and other science subjects, both at secondary and tertiary level.

What’s the Lesson?: Using Lesson Study to Develop Curriculum for Preservice Secondary Mathematics Teachers

Lesson study, a popular method of professional development in which instructors collaborate to critique and improve a lesson, can be used for curriculum development. This paper describes an implementation of lesson study that went through two iterations across different, related, contexts: an undergraduate mathematics content course for secondary preservice teachers and a professional development session with practicing middle and secondary teachers. We describe the ways in which the lesson study process helped us develop curriculum for advanced undergraduate courses for future teachers and provide our insights into the benefits and challenges of this approach.

Mathematical Modeling Through the Eyes of Elementary and Middle Preservice Teachers

Mathematical modeling is a useful pedagogy in mathematics education, but preservice teachers (PSTs) conceptualization of the teaching and learning of modeling practices is an ongoing concern. This research study examined 31 elementary and middle grades PSTs’ conceptualization of mathematical modeling and their experiences with such modeling. The study participants were recruited from two, four-year university mathematics methods courses located in northeastern and midwestern United States. Data for this study was collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results indicated that most of the PSTs had little understanding of the intersection of mathematical modeling, and the teaching and learning of mathematics. As such, many perceived mathematical modeling as an exclusive action reserved for teachers. Additionally, the results revealed that most participants had minimal, if any, experience with mathematical modeling. These limited experiences portrayed mathematical modeling as a show and tell method or step-by-step explanation. Our results expand the inadequate research into elementary and middle grades PSTs’ knowledge of and experiences in mathematical modeling and warrant the exigency for the inclusion of extensive mathematical modeling practices into methods and content courses for PSTs. The directions for future research and implications for researchers and teacher education programs are also discussed.

Two Examples of Ungrading in Higher Education in the United States and Germany

In this paper, the authors discuss their experiences with ungrading at a small public university in the U.S. and a large public university in Germany. The courses described are Calculus 1 and a content course for pre-service secondary teachers of mathematics. The professors teach differently: one with lecture, the other with inquiry-based learning, and choose to use elements of ungrading in different ways. In one case, the professor lets students self-evaluate their homework, while in the other the professor uses a mix of specifications grading and ungrading for the final grade. We outline and compare our assessment approaches and discuss student performance and feedback. We also present some patterns relating to gender: in both cases, we observed that women students chose lower self-evaluations than men students. We end this paper with a general reflection on our teaching experience and our plans to use ungrading in the future.

The context of science fiction in the pre-service teachers’ chemistry education

Abstract Context-based teaching and learning has a long tradition in science, especially chemistry. Audiovisual media (movies and series) can be used to provide context, and it can help overcome many students’ negative attitudes toward real science. An example of audiovisual media in which a science context can be presented is science fiction (abbreviated Sci-Fi). The purpose of this study was to investigate how the Sci-Fi context influences pre-service teachers’ attitudes and perceptions regarding the use of Sci-Fi for teaching and learning science, with a focus on chemistry, as a result of a 15-week novel elective Sci-Fi course for pre-service teachers. The main instruments used were online questionnaires, a final exam, and a rubric-based presentation evaluation form. The results of our study show that the majority of pre-service teachers consider the Sci-Fi context to be a very interesting context for science education, especially chemistry, and a useful tool for promoting students’ interest in science. Students believe that it is important to incorporate the Sci-Fi context into chemistry instruction at all levels. Our results suggest that the Sci-Fi context is useful to students as an alternative learning method that can be used to improve student learning outcomes.

Implementing profession orientation as a design principle for overcoming Klein’s second discontinuity – preservice teacher’s perspectives on interface activities in the context of a geometry course

Intending to counteract Klein’s second discontinuity in teacher education, we explored and applied the innovation of “interface ePortfolio” in the context of a geometry course for preservice teachers (PSTs). The tool offers the possibility of implementing the design principle of profession orientation. In the article, we theoretically clarify what we understand by this principle and locate our innovative concept against this theoretical background. We empirically investigate the extent to which counteraction against the second discontinuity is successful by analyzing reflection texts created in the interface ePortfolio, focusing on PSTs’ perspectives. Our qualitative content analysis shows that most of them perceive the innovation as helpful in the intended sense and indicates that the course concept, in general, and the interface ePortfolio, in particular, have helped establish relevant links between the course content and their later work as teachers.