Development Of Knowledge For Teaching Research Articles

Engineering design and the development of knowledge for teaching among preservice science teachers

AbstractThe goal of this article is to inform professional understanding regarding preservice science teachers’ knowledge of engineering and the engineering design process. Originating as a conceptual study of the appropriateness of “knowledge as design” as a framework for conducting science teacher education to support learning related to engineering design, the findings are informed by an ongoing research project. Perkins’s theory encapsulates knowledge as design within four complementary components of the nature of design. When using the structure of Perkins’s theory as a framework for analysis of data gathered from preservice teachers conducting engineering activities within an instructional methods course for secondary science, a concurrence between teacher knowledge development and the theory emerged. Initially, the individuals, who were participants in the research, were unfamiliar with engineering as a component of science teaching and expressed a lack of knowledge of engineering. The emergence of connections between Perkins’s theory of knowledge as design and knowledge development for teaching were found when examining preservice teachers’ development of creative and systematic thinking skills within the context of engineering design activities as well as examination of their knowledge of the application of science to problem‐solving situations.

A formação do professor de Matemática, apoiada pelas TIC, no seu estágio pedagógico

Este artigo debruça-se sobre o papel das TIC no desenvolvimento de aspetos do conhecimento didático (tipo de tarefas e formas de comunicação) e da capacidade reflexiva de futuros professores de Matemática durante o seu estágio. O estudo envolve três estagiários colocados em escolas diferentes. Os dados foram recolhidos através de duas entrevistas a cada estagiário (uma no início e outra no final do estágio) e da análise documental (reflexão de aulas e mensagens de e-mail e do fórum). As TIC permitiram a partilha e a discussão de situações da sala de aula, o trabalho conjunto entre orientadores e estagiários, o que contribuiu para o desenvolvimento do conhecimento didático e da capacidade reflexiva dos estagiários. Estes usaram diferentes tipos de tarefas e promoveram formas de comunicação para além da unidirecional. A interpretação, problematização e reconstrução de alguns momentos contribuíram para verem a própria prática como fonte para aprender a ensinar.

The development of knowledge for teaching physical education in secondary schools over the course of a PGCE year

There has been a considerable amount of work on what knowledge student teachers need to develop to become effective teachers. The purpose of this study was to look at the development of knowledge of student physical education teachers in England. Six secondary student physical education teachers completed a journal on a monthly basis throughout their one‐year course. The student teachers and their mentors were interviewed in school towards the end of their course in June. Responses were analysed inductively. Results showed that knowledge important to develop, knowledge developed and knowledge which still needs to be developed at the end of the course was all related to content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge which they could apply in the immediate practical teaching situation. The results are discussed in relation to the development of student physical education teachers knowledge for teaching.

Moving beyond physical education subject knowledge to develop knowledgeable teachers of the subject

All knowledge is socially constructed, including physical education teachers' knowledge of their subject. It is acquired from other people either formally and deliberately (e.g. by being taught) or informally and casually (e.g. by interacting with physical education teachers or playing in a sports team). The social aspects of learning appear to be particularly strong in physical education. This has implications for the development of knowledge for teaching, with trainee teachers focusing on the development of subject, and particularly content, knowledge. Focusing on subject knowledge reinforces a traditional view of physical education as it is, not as it might be to meet the needs of young people today. It is argued that attention needs to be given not only to the knowledge, skills and competencies that trainee teachers ought to develop but also to the social aspects of their learning and development and the context in which they learn. Attention also needs to be given to how the ability to think critically can be developed so that trainee teachers can become reflective practitioners able to challenge and, where appropriate, change the teaching of the subject. Only by doing this can the particularly strong socialization which shapes the values and beliefs of physical education teachers begin to be challenged. However, as the process of developing knowledgeable teachers is ongoing it is also necessary to look beyond teacher training to continuing professional development.

Making physical education relevant: increasing the impact of initial teacher training

This paper is developed from concern that, despite a number of developments and initiatives in physical education over recent years, there has been little change in the teaching of the subject. This has resulted in many young people being alienated from physical education and therefore physical activity. The paper focuses on how initial teacher training (ITT) contributes to this lack of change by focusing on the development of knowledge for teaching and the technical competence to deliver this. It then considers ways in which ITT could contribute to developing 'knowledgeable teachers' who are able to make change. The paper focuses on two aspects identified as relevant for trainee physical education teachers: socialization and knowledge for teaching. It recognizes that the issues are complex and that change is difficult. It also recognizes that ITT cannot change things by itself. However, it argues that by maintaining the status quo, the subject will not develop so that it is relevant to today's youngsters.