Development Of Pre-service Teachers Research Articles

Fostering Self-efficacy for Future Physics Teachers: Recommendation of Future Direction of Teacher Education Institutions

<p>Self-efficacy in teaching is essential for pre-service teachers, and its development needs to be started as soon as possible. This research is descriptive research that aims to recommend policies that can be carried out by universities, faculties, and study programs related to the development of pre-service physics teachers' self-efficacy in teaching. The research participants were 113 pre-service physics teachers in one of the teacher education institutions in Indonesia. The research instrument used was an open-ended question questionnaire totaling eight questions, which explores self-efficacy in three aspects, namely general definitions, influencing factors, and lecture activities that can increase teaching self-efficacy. The answers of pre-service physics teachers are grouped based on the study program's authority, faculty, or university. The results show that self-efficacy in teaching is influenced mainly by 1) the mastery experiences, 2) the mastery of content knowledge, 3) social persuasion, and 4) the mastery of pedagogical knowledge. Based on these results, it is necessary to have a policy by the Universities, Faculties, and Study Programs related to the development of self-efficacy in teaching. Policies needed from universities and faculties are to increase the number and length of teaching practice for pre-service teachers. The policy required from the study program is self-efficacy integration in courses, especially courses related to teaching practice. In addition, the study program also needs to make rules or guidelines for lecturers who teach subjects related to teaching practice courses, to provide feedback and reflection, and strengthen teaching practice activities for pre-service teachers.</p>

Crossing boundaries: developing preservice teachers' professional identity through hybrid school–university partnerships

PurposeSchool–university partnerships are the core of effective teacher preparation programs, and central to this model are the classroom teachers who mentor preservice teachers into the profession. This article describes an innovative collaboration that transcends institutional boundaries, operating in a hybrid space, aimed at supporting preservice teachers' development as educators, expanding their professional networks and fostering their sense of belonging and professional identity within a broader community of teacher leaders.Design/methodology/approachThis article describes a hybrid partnership model that provides preservice teachers with innovative mentoring experiences. Research on hybrid partnership models and boundary-spanning frames the discussion. The article provides a brief overview of two iterations of a collaboration between elementary preservice teachers and a cohort of teacher leaders in a fellowship program. The paper concludes by discussing lessons learned and directions for future research on the topic.FindingsPreservice teachers benefit from opportunities to engage with a variety of mentors throughout their program. While the classroom teacher serving as a mentor is central to teacher preparation, there is a space for hybrid partnership models that provide preservice teachers additional mentors to support their development and connections to a professional learning community of teacher leaders. Through innovative hybrid collaborations, preservice teachers engage with diverse mentors, expanding their professional networks and preparing them to navigate the complexities of the educational landscape with a sense of belonging and identity.Originality/valueThis article contributes to the literature on hybrid partnership models, aimed at empowering preservice teachers by integrating them into a professional community of teacher leaders, fostering their sense of belonging, identity and preparedness to navigate the complexities of the profession.

Social Studies Teacher Education and the Legacy of PCK: Exploring Situated Theories of Preservice Teacher Development

Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) has framed teacher education for decades, despite the difficulty of demonstrating that teacher preparation effectively develops PCK. Social studies educators have been especially wary of PCK, but their critiques have primarily challenged what knowledge is valued rather than its model of how teachers learn. This comparative case study reexamines PCK’s cognitivist assumptions by analyzing three preservice social studies teachers’ teaching and reflections from a situated perspective on role identity development. Despite unusual amounts of pedagogical experience and content knowledge, each novice had trouble facilitating whole class discussions. Their struggles did not emerge at the intersection of pedagogy and content, but within their role identity negotiations. These results suggest that a situated framework for identity development is a useful alternative to PCK in social studies teacher preparation and recommend deeper engagement with identity development through teacher education practice.

Investigating the use of a mobile portfolio app to develop pre-service teachers’ reflective abilities and orientations to learning to teach

ABSTRACT Mobile technologies are expected to provide many benefits for teacher reflection during teaching practice. However, empirical studies on these outcomes are still scarce. In an experimental field trial, we tested the effects of different variants of a mobile portfolio app on the development of pre-service teachers’ self-reported reflective ability, their orientations to learning to teach (e.g. developing ideas through discussion), and the interaction between their use of the mobile portfolio and orientation with regard to the development of reflective ability. Although there were only small direct effects of using the mobile app to foster reflective ability, the use of the app seemed to enhance the willingness to develop ideas for teaching practice through discussion and communication with mentors. These orientations were positively correlated with reflective ability; however, they showed no moderating effect on reflective ability when using the app.

Facilitating the development of preservice teachers’ geometric thinking through artificial intelligence (AI) assisted augmented reality (AR) activities: The case of platonic solids

Facilitating the development of preservice teachers’ geometric thinking through artificial intelligence (AI) assisted augmented reality (AR) activities: The case of platonic solids

Bridging the gap between preservice teachers’ theoretical and practical knowledge through simulations of teacher-parent interactions

ABSTRACT Teacher-parent communication is one of the domains in teacher education where the gap between theory and practice is evident. Although teacher-education programmes are responsible for developing preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) effective parent-teacher communication skills, such interactions are rarely practiced during the training. Simulation-Based Learning (SBL) is one of the ways to connect theory to practice. The current study analysed a PST’s language behaviour during an SBL lesson involving a parent-teacher interaction, to consider whether and in what way the SBL experience helped bridge the gap between PSTs’ theoretical and practical knowledge. A qualitative methodology was selected using a case-study approach. The PST whose language behaviour was examined was a 33-year-old woman retraining to become a kindergarten teacher. The data were collected via a workshop transcript, an interview, and a written reflection and were analysed using linguistic and content analyses. The findings demonstrate the role of SBL in advancing the crucial aspect of effective teacher-education programmes, namely, addressing the connection between theory and practice. The study’s theoretical contribution lies in underscoring the way in which simulation contributes to bridging the gap between PSTs’ theoretical and practical knowledge.

Mixed methods research on reflective writing in teacher education.

In this paper, mixed methods research is presented and discussed in the context of research on reflective writing for the professional development of pre-service teachers. First, we present prominent theoretical frameworks to analyze reflective writings. Second, we review relevant methodological approaches of research on reflective writings in teacher education, such as qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Third, we present a study from our research lab combining qualitative content analysis and linguistic analyses as an example for a concurrent mixed method approach. The results of the qualitative content analysis indicated that 198 reflective writings of pre-service teachers were primarily descriptive and on a low level. Computational linguistic analyses revealed that affective and cognitive terminology utilization in reflective writing differed significantly across the different levels of reflection, with a higher frequency of such terms correlating with deeper levels of reflection. Thus, essential challenges and opportunities of implementing such a mixed method study to analyze reflective writings are illustrated and discussed. Finally, we conclude the paper by discussing on how mixed methods approaches might be further advanced in the field of reflective writing research in teacher education.

Explaining preservice teachers' intention and behavior to use technology‐enabled learning in China: A multi‐group analysis across experiences

AbstractThis study examines the development of preservice teachers' intention and behavior to use of Technology‐Enabled Learning (TEL) within the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. Despite growing interest, the effective integration of TEL among preservice teachers remains a challenge. Engaging 1023 participants ‐ senior undergraduates with practical TEL experience in real classroom settings ‐ the study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the relationships between key factors ‐ experience, subjective norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control ‐ and their influence on the intention and behavior to use of TEL. The findings revealed that behavioral intention did not significantly influence the actual use of TEL, whereas perceived behavioral control acted both as a determinant of TEL use and as a mediator in the relationship between subjective norms and TEL usage. Additionally, while subjective norms showed minimal impact on behavioral intention, attitudes and perceived behavioral control emerged as crucial antecedent variables and mediators. The multi‐group analysis using SEM revealed that preservice teachers' experience with TEL moderated the first half of the mediating pathway between subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and the actual use of TEL. Notably, multi‐group analysis indicated that as preservice teachers gained more experience with TEL, the influence of subjective norms on perceived behavioral control weakened. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the TPB framework and its extended models in the context of TEL in teacher education, offering valuable insights for developing more effective TEL training and guidance strategies, ultimately aiming to enhance preservice teachers' proficiency and engagement with TEL.

The development of pre-service teachers’ competence to teach mental calculation strategies

Background: There is a concern in South Africa that pre-service teachers do not have the required knowledge to teach mathematics in primary school and to develop learners’ number sense. In this study, pre-service teachers taught the mental strategy of bridging through ten through a structured teaching sequence from the Mental Starters Assessment Project (MSAP) materials as a work-integrated learning opportunity.Aim: We ask the question: How do the MSAP materials support pre-service teachers in competently teaching mental mathematics?Setting: Thirty-eight Bachelor of Education (Foundation Phase) third-year preservice teachers from an Eastern Cape university participated in this study.Methods: Participants taught the strategy during their Teaching Practice, quantitatively analysed the results of their classes and reflected on the experience in a questionnaire and focus group interviews.Results: Results indicate that the teachers were relatively successful in their teaching of the strategy; however, all indicated that they taught the sequence for a more extended period than recommended. Qualitative responses provide evidence of the teachers’ development in their knowledge of learners and their characteristics, general pedagogical knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge and knowledge of educational contexts.Conclusion: This study offers evidence of the professional learning of pre-service teachers that resulted from taking an integrated approach to facilitating a mathematics teaching methodology course through requiring a work-integrated learning component.Contribution: We argue that such an approach is necessary for pre-service teachers to be adequately prepared for the challenges of teaching mathematics in the South African classroom.

The Development of Non-Formal Learning Organization Skills in Preservice Math Teachers

Although the effects of out-of-school learning on students' learning have attracted significant attention among education researchers in science and social sciences, little is known about the development of pre-service elementary mathematics teachers' skills in utilizing out-of-school learning in mathematics lessons. The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of activities conducted within the scope of the out-of-school learning environments in mathematics education on pre-service elementary mathematics teachers' skills in organizing non-formal learning. The study utilized a sequential explanatory design, which is a mixed-method approach. The quantitative part of the research employed a "single-group pretest-posttest design without a control group" from experimental designs. This study involved 35 third-year teacher candidates enrolled in the Primary Education in Math Program (PREDMAP) at a state university located near Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. The data collection instrument used in the study was the Out-of-School Learning Regulation Scale (OOSLRS). Additionally, teacher candidates were asked to write reflective essays about their thoughts on the program at the end of the study. The analyses revealed that prior to the program, pre-service math teachers had the highest scores in the knowledge dimension and the lowest scores in the implementation dimension of organizing out-of-school learning. Significant differences were found in the pretest scores of preservice math teachers only in the knowledge dimension based on their previous experiences in organized out-of-school learning environments during their educational lives. Significant improvements favoring the post-test application were observed across all dimensions between pretest and posttest scores. Data from reflective essays written by the preservice math teachers indicated their emphasis on active participation and included suggestions particularly in the implementation dimension.

Fostering self-regulated learning-focused feedback: Getting preservice teachers prepared

Since self-regulated learning (SRL) has been integrated into educational objectives, it is crucial for EFL teachers to incorporate SRL elements, such as feedback, into their instructional practices. Given the inherent complexity of the feedback process and the challenges associated with changing in-service teachers' feedback focus, developing preservice teachers’ literacy at the beginning of their professional careers is essential. To investigate the extent to which preservice teachers can generate multifocus feedback incorporating an SRL element, this study analyses the feedback categories generated by 286 preservice teachers and examines the underlying factors that influence their feedback choices using a mixed-methods approach. The feedback pattern analysis revealed that, despite recognizing the importance of SRL, preservice teachers struggled with creating multiple feedback entries supporting SRL. An investigation into SRL-focused feedback patterns and their influencing factors suggested several ways to embed SRL into the core of teacher feedback. These include building teacher beliefs to cultivate collegial resources, constructing a databank of feedback comments on SRL activities to facilitate feedback provision, and examining learner differences to craft individualized feedback. The conclusion summarizes the implications for future feedback studies, outlining an agenda for further research in this area.

Facilitating Indonesian EFL pre-service teachers’ professional development through the “Kampus Mengajar” program

Research on the Kampus Mengajar program has revealed challenges for teachers, particularly in advancing their professional development. However, other studies suggest that the program holds the potential for a significant positive impact on teacher professional growth. This study explores how the Kampus Mengajar program contributes to the professional development of pre-service teachers, focusing on their perspectives and experiences. This narrative case study involved four pre-service teachers from a private university in Surabaya, Indonesia. Data were collected through reflective notes and semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis deductively to explore prominent themes. The findings indicate that the Kampus Mengajar program supports pre-service teachers' professionalism by enhancing their pedagogical knowledge, teaching skills, and problem-solving abilities. Participants appreciated the program for boosting their self-efficacy and helping them master the 4C skills: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. This study underscores the value of teaching practicums in fostering future teachers' professionalism. Despite some challenges in the program's implementation, the empirical evidence suggests that the Kampus Mengajar program should be continued.

Exploring Pre-Service Teacher Professional Learning on Their Preparedness for Teaching Practicum

The teaching practicum is essential in pre-service teacher education, allowing aspiring teachers to apply theoretical knowledge in real classrooms. It helps them to develop practical skills, build communication abilities, and connect with clients, colleagues, and mentors. This study investigates pre-service teachers' perceptions of their readiness for teaching practicums, the influencing factors, and the contribution of professional learning programs on their preparedness. Using a mixed-method approach with an explanatory sequential design, the research was conducted in Metro City, Lampung. Data were collected through a close-ended questionnaire from 80 pre-service teachers and semi-structured interviews with 9 pre-service teachers who were ready as the volunteers. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that professional learning programs significantly enhance preparedness in pedagogical training, content knowledge, classroom management, understanding diverse student needs, and technology integration. These programs boost confidence, competence, and the ability to create effective learning environments. Informal learning, such as roles as teaching assistants and using social media, also contributes significantly to innovative teaching. Integrating formal and informal learning experiences is crucial for the holistic development of pre-service teachers

The emergence of a digital third space: Opportunities and constraints of digital practice assessment in teacher education

Practitioners and policymakers worldwide emphasise the need for research-based and professionally relevant teacher education, highlighting the importance of integrating epistemologies across schools and teacher education institutions. Drawing on the affordance concept, this study qualitatively investigates the perceived opportunities and constraints of Digital Practice Assessment (DPA) as a collaborative platform for triads of pre-service teachers, school-based and university-based teacher educators. It explores the perspectives of these stakeholders on the use of technology in teaching practice assessment and examines how their collaboration within these triads can facilitate the emergence of a third space. The third space is a metaphor that denotes the meeting place of epistemologies from research and practice in teacher education, where all stakeholders’ voices are heard. This examination sheds light on the potential benefits and challenges that DPA brings to the assessment process and highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between technology, collaboration, and professional development in teacher education. Through video-stimulated recall interviews of the assessment sessions, we show how recordings of teaching practice offer opportunities such as detailed feedback, enhanced reflections, and knowledge sharing, which are essential to research-based and practice-oriented teacher education. However, certain constraints were identified, such as the lack of contextual information and rigid roles within the assessment process. Still, despite the summative nature of DPA, our findings suggest that it has the potential to integrate formative assessment to foster the emergence of a third space and to support the development and learning of pre-service teachers.

Fostering preservice teachers’ mathematical discourse through virtual simulation teaching

Simulation, a new tool in teacher education programmes, requires further evidence as to its effectiveness in supporting the development of preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) mathematical discourse. The study explores the discourse of a group of preservice teachers while teaching the concept of volume in a simulation setting. Specifically, PSTs’ verbal interactions with virtual students (i.e. avatars) are examined using utterances as the basic unit of analysis. By applying mathematics discourse frameworks, the PSTs’ discourse was categorised, identified as different types and analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The findings reveal the dynamics of PSTs’ discourse and highlight how simulations provide an authentic classroom-like environment, with the potential to elicit PSTs’ mathematical discourse, including preparation for unexpected situations and fostering inclusive pedagogy. This article makes a contribution to the current literature by exploring the effectiveness of simulation-based teacher education programmes in developing preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) mathematical discourse skills. Specifically, the discussion offers valuable insights into the potential of simulations as a platform for preparing PSTs to become confident and competent educators capable of fostering inclusive learning communities.

Multimedia for Teaching Skills Development in Pre-service Teachers

A teacher must have teaching skills in order to become a professional teacher. The purpose of this article is to present the results of research on the development of teaching skills multimedia for microteaching courses in the Biology Education Study Program, FMIPA, State University of Jakarta. Multimedia is designed by combining text, images, audio and video to present basic teaching skills material in an interactive and interesting way. This research consisted of two years, in the first year four basic multimedia teaching skills were developed, namely: opening and closing lesson skills, class management skills and basic questioning skills and advanced questioning skills. This research is research and development (RnD) which was adapted into 7 stages from 10 steps of development research by Gall, Gall and Borg, including 1) research and data collection, 2) planning, 3) making prototypes, 4) testing first prototype, 5) prototype improvements, 6) field trials, 7) product improvements. The multimedia products developed are evaluated and assessed by experts, then revised based on the suggestions given and the results of field trials. The results of the research show that the multimedia developed is valid, practical and effective for improving teaching skills of pre-service teachers. Through this article the author wants to suggest that PKM or microteaching lecturers can use multimedia to practice basic teaching skills.

Learning disabilities in India: A closer look at pre-service teacher development practices

ABSTRACT This paper critically examines the centrally administered pre-service teacher preparation program for learning disabilities in India. With no equivalent Indian competency standards, this paper analyses components of the teacher preparation curriculum in the light of 22 high leverage practices (HLPs) outlined by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) as well as examines interview data from teacher educators to better understand challenges on the ground. Overall, the paper notes a heavy emphasis on theory over practice, with limited opportunities for practice. HLPs related to social-emotional and behavioral practices were minimally addressed in the curriculum. Finally, although the program was dedicated to serving children with learning disabilities, prospective teachers tended to get placed in inclusive settings and were required to work with students with a range of disabilities, highlighting the need for a program with a wider range of disabilities, not only learning disabilities. Implications for school and educational psychologists are discussed.

Mentoring with research-based tools—A holistic approach

ABSTRACT Mentoring aimed at professional development of preservice teachers (PTs) in teacher education is a complex practice. The use of tools has potential to enhance mentoring practices; however, research on using tools in mentoring is often focused on applying a single tool. This qualitative study analyses two dyads of mentor and PT’s structured and holistic mentoring with tools. The tools were developed to elicit PTs’ diverse needs in practicum; the three tool-packages build on a a) simulator-based tool, b) response-based tool, and c) video-based tool. Further, the theory of practice architecture (TPA) provided a frame to understand mentoring practices with the holistic use of tools as interplay among cultural – discursive, material – economic, and social – political arrangements. The findings indicate that tools prefigure participants’ talk as well as how they act and relate to each other and the tools. This paper presents new insight on how tools can enhance quality in mentoring.

The development of EFL pre-service teachers’ critical thinking in teaching practicum: a case study

ABSTRACT This study investigates the development of critical thinking skills among EFL pre-service teachers during their teaching practicum. The participants comprised three pre-service EFL teachers, belonging to a teaching practicum group that included one university supervisor and three middle school mentors. Data were collected through video recordings of group meetings conducted during the practicum and interviews with the pre-service teachers. Analysis of the data revealed a gradual development of critical thinking among the pre-service teachers over the course of the teaching practicum. They attributed this development to several factors, including the guidance provided by the university supervisor and middle school mentors, peer communication, and the practice of evaluation during the practicum. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of the analysis, offering insights for teacher education programmes aiming to foster critical thinking skills among pre-service teachers.

Promoting pre-service teacher development through intervention-based action research

ABSTRACT In this intervention-based action research study, we first conducted interviews with 20 Colombian pre-service language teachers. The pre-service teachers’ perspectives indicated their awareness of the multidimensional role of the teacher and the complexity of the teaching profession, and we identified their self-perceived competencies and areas where they desired improvement as future language teachers. The findings informed our design of co-curricular activities that addressed pre-service teachers’ concerns. Next, we implemented and evaluated the co-curricular activities which helped pre-service teachers develop new understandings. The study sheds light on the crucial role of intervention-based action research and co-curricular activities in teacher preparation. We discuss implications for teacher educators as critical agents of change in teacher preparation and the teaching profession.