Teacher Education Courses Research Articles

Empowering Future Bilingual Educators: Integrating Trauma-Informed Approaches in Bilingual Teacher Education

The impact of trauma on children's social, emotional, and academic growth is profound, yet teacher preparation programs, particularly in bilingual and multicultural contexts, often lack comprehensive training in trauma-informed practices. This qualitative study investigates the integration of trauma-informed approaches into a bilingual teacher education course at a university in West Texas. The study included 59 undergraduate pre-service teachers enrolled in a course on bilingual and multicultural education. Data were collected through preliminary and concluding written interviews, alongside ongoing instructional interventions, including discussions, case analyses, and trauma-informed strategies. Initially, participants demonstrated a limited understanding of trauma, associating it primarily with extreme events such as accidents or death. Post-course assessments, however, revealed a broadened understanding, recognizing everyday traumas like poverty, bullying, and family instability. Findings suggest that integrating trauma-informed approaches significantly enhances pre-service teachers' ability to identify and apply practical strategies to support trauma-affected students. The study introduces the Trauma-Informed Bilingual Teacher Preparation Model, focusing on key components such as foundational trauma knowledge, recognizing trauma symptoms, culturally responsive teaching, creating supportive environments, and fostering teacher resilience. By embedding trauma-informed practices in teacher education, this model prepares future educators to cultivate compassionate, inclusive classrooms, particularly in bilingual and multicultural settings. The study emphasizes the importance of curriculum reform to equip teachers with the necessary skills to support both students' emotional well-being and academic success.

Cultivating STEAM teachers: A regional resource‐based model for normal university students in Chongqing

AbstractThe cultivation of innovative talents with interdisciplinary skills is a central goal of STEAM education, and the success of STEAM education hinges on the availability of qualified STEAM teachers. This study explores how to integrate STEAM awareness, understanding, and curriculum development into the teacher education and major course learning system of normal university students in Chongqing, China. Drawing upon the region's rich resources, the study proposes a three‐level STEAM teacher training model. At the macro level, the model advocates for a collaborative educational ecosystem involving government, schools, businesses, and society. At the meso level, it presents a 4‐year curriculum model that progressively cultivates preservice teachers' interdisciplinary thinking, integration skills, and pedagogical competence. At the micro level, the model explores effective pedagogical methods and strategies for implementing STEAM projects in real‐world teaching scenarios. This regional resource‐based model offers a “Chongqing plan” for training STEAM teachers and ensuring a sustainable supply of innovative talents to support the region's economic and social development.

Embedding Sustainability across a Teacher Education Course: Teacher Educator Experiences

Abstract Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) remains an urgent priority to combat the numerous social, environmental and political crises prominent in the 21st century. This article shares the experiences of teacher educators who integrated ESD into discipline-specific units of study for pre-service teachers. Using a collaborative auto-ethnographic approach, we explore how curriculum change for ESD was navigated and discuss how institutional support was essential for providing legitimacy and necessary resources. Drawing on Noddings’ approach to ethics of care, we emphasise the significance of valuing the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders involved in curriculum change and advocate for inclusive and responsive approaches that engage individuals meaningfully throughout the process.

Imagining anew: a narrative analysis of STEM teachers’ fictional educational futures

ABSTRACT High teacher attrition rates suggest the need for new methods of STEM teacher education to prepare teachers for fulfilling professional and personal lives. This design research study explores an approach to teacher learning within a US university-based teacher education course which centres projective agency as a key aspect of teacher learning, specifically to imagine transformative educational futures. Using thematic narrative analysis, this study presents evidence suggesting teachers can articulate their educational values by creating aligned possible futures. Drawing upon their experiences, these teachers envision futures that sometimes reimagine the constraints of the current educational system. By fostering projective agency, these envisioned pathways facilitate expansive action beyond teachers’ past experiences and present circumstances, fostering sustainable flourishing for both teachers and students.

Pre-service Teachers’ Perceived Importance of and Performance on Sustainable Development Goals

This study aimed to examine the awareness and performance of pre-service teachers in Taiwan regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A mixed-methods research approach was employed, utilizing a questionnaire survey to obtain quantitative data on pre-service teachers’ perceived importance of and performance on SDGs. Qualitative data were supplemented through interviews with professors and pre-service teachers at a university that incorporated SDGs into its pre-service teacher education courses. The findings revealed that pre-service teachers perform best in “Quality Education” and “Gender Equality.” Men with STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields demonstrated higher levels of awareness of sustainable development, and pre-service teachers majoring in STEM fields outperformed those in non-STEM fields in SDGs performance. Pre-service teachers identified “Good Health & Well-being,”“Life below Water,” and “Life on Land” as the indicators in most urgent need of improvement. Integrating the SDGs into teacher education programs can assist pre-service teachers in enhancing their awareness and performance regarding various SDG indicators.

Investigating preservice secondary mathematics teachers' skills in posing realistic mathematics tasks

Mathematics tasks situated in realistic situations play a central role in developing and applying mathematical knowledge. However, mathematics educators face difficulties in designing realistic mathematics tasks. This study was conducted to gain deeper insights into the characteristics of mathematical problems that underprepared preservice secondary mathematics teachers pose. This study examined 32 preservice secondary mathematics teachers' problem-posing skills based on three problem-posing situations: structured problem-posing, semi-structured problem-posing, and free problem-posing. As the context of the participants, they did not have learning experiences in designing realistic mathematics tasks. In evaluating the preservice teachers' works, the researchers used several evaluation criteria, namely the compatibility of the problem with the mathematical principles, plausibility and sufficiency of information, the problem text, level of context authenticity, cognitive demand, and the correctness of the solution. The results revealed that most preservice teachers posed problems with the first-order level of context use and low cognitive demand. Additionally, many of them encountered difficulties when attempting to solve the problem. The findings of this study were expected to serve as a basis for developing a curriculum for pedagogic and mathematics courses in teacher education.

One intervention, several benefits: Deliberate computer‐assisted argument mapping practices in an online teacher education course

One intervention, several benefits: Deliberate computer‐assisted argument mapping practices in an online teacher education course

Development and Evaluation of an Internet of Things Project for Preservice Elementary School Teachers

Programming education is gaining more attention in elementary schools, especially through the use of visual programming tools and development boards. However, the elementary school teacher education in Taiwan allows only limited time periods for training in visual programming and the use of development boards. Development boards are ideal for creating internet of things (IoT) projects, and project-based learning (PBL) is an effective teaching strategy in programming education to promote active learning. Therefore, to sustainably cultivate 21st-century teachers, this study developed an IoT PBL activity for preservice elementary school teachers in Taiwan, so as to improve their attitude toward programming and to enhance their content knowledge of programming teaching, including in computational thinking concepts and knowledge concerning the micro:bit and IoT. This project aimed to engage preservice elementary school teachers in using the micro:bit and electronic modules to create cardboard games with IoT features. A preliminary evaluation was conducted within a teacher education course to verify the project’s feasibility. Consequently, the preservice elementary school teachers participating in this project could develop various IoT cardboard games through teamwork. Their scores on the assessments of computational thinking concepts, development board knowledge, and attitude toward programming showed significant improvement after the project activity. They also expressed highly positive feedback on the project. These findings verify that the proposed PBL activity could be feasible for elementary teacher education.

Teacher education students’ experiences navigating inherent requirements within their courses of study

ABSTRACT Inherent requirements define core competencies that all students must demonstrate to be accepted, progress, and successfully complete professionally accredited programmes such as teaching. This paper presents research that examines how students of teacher education navigate supposed abilities to teach through their courses of study, to inform the development of a statement of inherent requirements for a large school of education in an Australian university. Drawing on critical disability perspectives, we present results from a survey conducted with students enrolled in teacher education courses. This analysis demonstrates that inherent requirements have little affect for students whose bodily capacities align with preconceived notions of abilities to teach. Yet, students with disabilities will likely experience impose barriers to their success within teacher education because of perceived inherent requirements to practice, which is not easily addressed through disclosure and reasonable adjustments. The paper concludes with a discussion addressing how when seeking to expand their impact in support of inclusive local and global communities, universities must necessarily start by paying close attention to the ways that they frame competency in relation to equity. Here we draw from concerns raised by students in the present study, and critical disability theory, to support an institutional transposition from inherency to coherency, reframing how ability to teach can align with contemporary policy aspirations and inclusive practices. The paper is unique for drawing on student experiences to inform the development of knowledge in the field of teacher education along with critical disability perspectives with which to analyse them.

Including the Brügner Tangram in an Undergraduate Mathematics Education Course: Systematic Search for Solutions and Graphs

This article presents a reflection on a teaching experience involving the use of the Brügner tangram, an interesting but little-known manipulative material. It details an activity conducted as part of an undergraduate mathematics education course for prospective primary school teachers. The main objective of this paper is to present the implementation of a sequence of activities designed to convey to future teachers the importance of systematically solving problems that involve searching for or constructing different cases. Specifically, participants are provided with the three pieces of the Brügner’s tangram and assigned the task of identifying all possible convex polygons that can be constructed. Moreover, they are required to elucidate the methodological approach underpinning their exploratory process, with an emphasis on establishing relationships between the polygons. Graphs are introduced as one of the possible approaches for modelling the problem, offering a graphical representation that aids in the systematic search for solutions. This paper describes different activities involving the Brügner’s tangram which has demonstrated its adaptability as an instructional resource. The teaching sequence adheres to the five-phase structure proposed within the framework of the van Hiele model, which is also part of the course.

Assessment of Chinese primary school mathematics teachers’ knowledge of students’ misconceptions regarding space and shape

ABSTRACT The study aimed to establish an assessment model for mathematics teachers’ knowledge of students’ misconceptions in the Space and Shape domain, develop the testing tool, investigate and analyse the overall and differences in performance, and propose suggestions for improvement. The assessment model included content knowledge and performance standards. The content knowledge standard included cognition and content dimensions. The cognition dimension was subdivided into predicting the misconceptions, interpreting the misconceptions, analysing the reasons and teaching strategies to correct misconceptions. According to the division of Space and Shape in official curriculum standard, the content dimension was subdivided into Recognition of graphics, Measurement, Motion, and Location. 701 Chinese mathematics teachers from 8 provinces were involved to verify the assessment model. Item response theory was used to estimate teachers’ performance, and combinations of response categories was used to divide the teachers’ performance into three response levels: Low, Medium and High. 81% of teachers were performing at Medium and High response levels. Teachers performed the worst in Recognition of graphics and the best in Measurement. The worst performance occurred in analysing the reasons, the best in interpreting the misconceptions. These results have provided evidences for adjusting teacher activities, improving teacher education courses and teachers training.

Teacher knowledge: insights for continuing education in Southern Brazil

The pandemic caused by Covid-19 has caused education, on a global scale, to face increasing challenges in considerable aspects, from the social and economic inequality of students and teachers to the so-called learning deficit at all levels. Considering the essential dialogue between the university, through its teacher education courses and the basic education school, an applied research project was developed (participatory action research) whose theme presupposes technological innovation from a double perspective, as a means and an end. Means, through the proposed teaching methodology, integrated with technology with a view to changes and innovation in the work processes of basic education teachers when implemented. End, considering the pedagogical products generated after implementing the methodology, digital learning objects that, by nature, encompass different technologies for learning purposes. Furthermore, through the effective participation of teachers linked to the action research proposal, the results suggest the effectiveness of teaching resignification, made possible by continuing education, regarding their role as mediators and curators of the pedagogical process, aware that their knowledge of teacher involves the content, pedagogical and technological dimensions, as well as the role of information and communication technologies as an integral part of their pedagogical work.

Portion coherence: enhancing the relevance of introductory courses in teacher education

Portion coherence: enhancing the relevance of introductory courses in teacher education

The power of feedback in teacher education

PurposeThis qualitative study extends jigsaw lesson study (JLS) by focusing specifically on the impact of feedback on teacher candidates’ (TCs') professional knowledge and instructional growth in the teacher-educator classroom.Design/methodology/approachFor this study, JLS took place in two different methods courses and followed the lesson study (LS) framework using the small group rotations of JLS. In each course, the JLS small group teams taught another team before receiving feedback and revising their lessons. Then they would teach another group. After each iteration, teams debriefed and reviewed the feedback to revise their lessons and prepare for reteaching. Following the JLS process, TCs reflected on the impact of feedback in a post-survey that was analyzed, coded and aligned with their lesson iterations and revisions.FindingsBoth integrated language arts (ILA) and math TCs reported that receiving peer feedback improved their lessons, instructional materials, revisions and student engagement. Through collaboration, TCs valued peer dialog, multiple perspectives and TCs learned to provide and receive constructive feedback professionally. Overall, feedback and collaboration helped strengthen their lesson planning as they considered multiple perspectives. Feedback helped TCs consider differentiation and the diversity of learners as well as student engagement while building their professional knowledge.Originality/valueAlthough a previous study has shown an impact of JLS in ILA teacher-education courses with a broader scope in mathematics courses, this study focused on the JLS process in two teacher-education courses. Furthermore, current research tends to focus on the LS process, but this study focused specifically on TCs’ perceptions of the impact of feedback of their professional and instructional growth.

Children's Literature, Ecocritical Dialogues and Social-Emotional Learning: Developing Integrated Teaching Practices

An innovative primary teacher education course at the University of Padova combines children's literature, ecocritical dialogues, and social-emotional learning (SEL). It aims to enhance educational quality and prepare teachers for global environmental and social challenges. Developed through the Green Dialogues project, it fosters internationalization and interdisciplinarity. This article examines the course's interdisciplinary teamwork, focusing on its design and teaching methods. A case study highlights the benefits of incorporating ecocritical and SEL approaches in climate action teacher education. The course illustrates how children's stories can foster environmental and social consciousness and empathy among students. This approach not only enhances pedagogical practices but also prepares teachers to contribute meaningfully to climate literacy and social equity in European higher education.

Improving writing teacher feedback literacy: The role of an L2 writing teacher education course

Improving writing teacher feedback literacy: The role of an <scp>L2</scp> writing teacher education course

Unveiling the impact of language assessment teacher education on EFL teachers’ assessment agency and professional development trajectory: perceptions, opportunities, and challenges

In global trends and current curricular policy reforms in second language (L2) education, there is a great emphasis on repositioning of teachers as assessors and teachers’ role as responsible agents in assessment. However, various factors affect the agency of teachers as assessors in the classroom. This study explored the ways English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers perceived the impact of the language assessment teacher education course on their agency as assessors. Likewise, it scrutinized the challenges and opportunities teachers confronted in leveraging the acquired knowledge and skills to enhance their assessment agency and contribute to their overall professional development. As for dataset, this phenomenological study targeted 50 EFL teachers, with 25 participants completing an open-ended questionnaire and the other 25 composing narratives. The research findings, using MAXQDA software (v. 20) for content and thematic analysis, revealed that EFL teachers perceived a significant positive influence of language assessment teacher education courses on their agency as assessors in the classroom. This led to their increased confidence and competence in assessment practices. They found limited institutional support and resources as their main challenges. However, they claimed opportunities would arise from collaborative professional networks and tailored mentoring to effectively apply knowledge and skills gained from language assessment teacher education courses for their professional development. The findings offer valuable implications for language assessment teacher education and professional development initiatives, illuminating the potential predicaments and expediters in enhancing teachers’ assessment agency and fostering their continuous professional growth.

Climber, mediator, and marathoner: narrative inquiry of career motivation changes of pre-service CSL teachers throughout teaching practicum.

The growing global demand for foreign language learning contrasts sharply with the shortage of second language teachers. In Chinese as a second language (CSL) education, although the number of pre-service CSL teachers is increasing, few continue in the profession after completing their teacher education courses. To investigate the reasons behind this trend, this longitudinal narrative inquiry examined the career motivations of three participants during their teaching practicum. The study focused on identifying key narrative clues based on metaphors emerging from their narratives. The research found that the participants' career motivations were influenced by their teaching practice and experienced various dynamic changes. Key motivational factors included self-efficacy and intrinsic self-fulfillment, with a notable influence from the unique cross-cultural motivation associated with second language teaching. The study underscores the significant role of narratives and metaphors in understanding changes in teacher career motivations. It suggests that enhancing self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation, alongside recognizing cross-cultural motivations, could be crucial in addressing the retention issues among pre-service CSL teachers.

Quality education through teacher-student relationships: implementing social-emotional learning in teacher development

PurposeRecently, the pace of pedagogical change in the field of social-emotional learning (SEL) has increased worldwide; hence, there is a greater need to understand and promote social-emotional elements in education systems. The purpose of this study was to explore the implementation of SEL content and practices in the curricula of teacher-education courses while being mindful of the principles underlying teacher–student relationships.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative methodology, data were collected from 55 students enrolled in three courses taught at a college in Israel. The participants wrote reflections on their SEL experiences, which were analyzed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe students’ responses revealed various practices and themes that significantly affected their personal and professional development, among them, the relationships in the classroom, both among the preservice students themselves and between them and the teaching staff. The participants also noted that the SEL components of the course influenced the quality of learning and the development of a professional identity that is actively attuned to elements of SEL.Research limitations/implicationsBy introducing SEL early in the preservice stage, preservice teachers learn to create safe and supportive environments for their future students, thus improving students’ academic achievements, behavior and well-being.Originality/valueThe study underscores the importance of embedding SEL in the teacher-education curricula and its influence on both preservice teachers’ learning experience and the formulation of their image as future teachers while highlighting the significant role of teacher–student relationships in promoting healthy personal and professional development.

Introducing the role of being an advocate in mathematics teacher education

AbstractMathematics teacher education is often described in terms of the mathematical content and pedagogy that teachers need. However, recent calls for equity in mathematics education demand a broadening of this view. In this article, we articulate a theoretical description of what the role of being an advocate in language-diverse classrooms could involve and some of the practical challenges that mathematics teacher educators may have when introducing it, using empirical examples from our teacher education courses for teachers of Grades 1–7 in Norway. In the theoretical description of the role of being an advocate into mathematics teacher education, we distinguish between in-class advocacy and advocacy beyond the classroom and what these different kinds of advocacy might entail in language-diverse classrooms. The practical issues that we identified in raising different aspects of the role indicate the need for further research into how to raise preservice teachers’ awareness about the role of being an advocate, in and outside of the classroom, in different cultural settings and how this knowledge could be used in teacher education to challenge preservice teachers’ language ideologies and raise non-trivial issues.