Final-year Pre-service Teachers Research Articles

Measuring dimensions of teacher resilience in Africa: Self-efficacy and teacher efficacy

With this article we aimed to contribute evidence on reliable and valid measurement of teacher resilience in an under researched African context and population. Scales from an existing instrument, ENTREEi, were used to measure the resilience of pre-service teachers at a South African university. The sample constituted 1,193 final-year pre-service teachers (20–32 years), who completed the FIRE teacher resilience measure (2015 to 2017). Teacher resilience data were purposively selected from the FIRE dataset and items analysed related to self-efficacy and teacher efficacy beliefs. A quantitative approach was used, which consisted of reliability (internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha) and validity (construct validity using Spearman correlations) analyses of the teacher resilience scale and the teacher efficacy scale. The statistical analyses indicate that the FIRE teacher resilience measure is a reliable and valid measure for intrapersonal resilience-enabling pathways in a challenged context. The underlying variable structure of the teacher resilience scale and teacher efficacy scale held in a Global South setting when used with pre-service teachers. The article contributes to teacher resilience measurement discourse by providing insights into the utility of teacher resilience scales in South Africa. The results act as a precursor for comparative teacher resilience results worldwide for future studies.

Personal reflective diaries with group-friendly criticism: empowering pre-service teachers

ABSTRACT The study examined the effect of the use of ‘personal reflective diaries’ and ‘group-friendly criticism’ to assess professional development and self-empowerment among 47 Israeli final-year pre-service teachers in a seminar course, and later on, perceptions and insights during their practicum and their internship year. Content analysis of holistic summations, a questionnaire, and interviews yielded two participant types: ‘purposeful’ and ‘late bloomer.’ For both, four main themes emerged: (1) ability to face difficulties; (2) teaching and class management strategies; (3) beliefs and insights about the teacher’s role; and (4) sense of efficacy. Participants stated that fear and uncertainty had turned into satisfaction and empowerment, with growing empathy towards their students. Overall results showed that in-depth focus on one difficulty while using reflective diaries together with group-friendly criticism helped both types of participants deal with their difficulties successfully, while developing strategies and insights for their future as teachers.

A Quantitative Investigation of Final Year Preservice Science Teachers’ Sources of Self-Efficacy Beliefs

The purpose of this study was to reveal final year preservice science teachers’ sources of science teaching self-efficacy beliefs. Research on the sources of preservice teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs is a promising field of research. However, the number of studies examining the sources of preservice teachers’ teaching self-efficacy in a special domain of teaching is limited. Two hundred thirty-eight final-year preservice science teachers constituted the sample of the current study. Data were gathered through two measures assessing final year preservice science teachers’ science teaching self-efficacy beliefs in classroom management, student engagement, and instructional strategies, and sources of these beliefs. Regression analyses showed that mastery experiences were the primary source of self-efficacy for classroom management, student engagement, and instructional strategies, followed by verbal persuasions. While emotional states were the only negative predictor of final year preservice science teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs in science teaching in three dimensions, vicarious experiences were not found as a significant predictor for any dimension of self-efficacy beliefs. Teacher preparation programs are advised to pay more attention to teaching practice and micro-teaching courses and provide experienced mentor teacher models to preservice science teachers. Findings are discussed.

Turning Windows into Mirrors: Digital Stories as a Teaching Strategy to Explore the Apprenticeship of Observation in Pre-Service Teachers

This article shares the critical reflections of a teacher educator who utilised digital stories as a teaching strategy in a professional development module for final-year pre-service teachers. Action research, through a participatory narrative inquiry approach, was employed, and data were gathered from digital stories, scripts, and reflective essays. The findings suggest that a platform was created for students to collaboratively share their perceptions, beliefs, and memories regarding teaching as a profession and to reflect on the impact that this lived experience had on their developing professional identity and ideas of good practice. Suggestions are made for recognising autobiographical stories as essential to all facets of teacher education and for acknowledging the influence of the apprenticeship of observation on individual pre-service teachers and on teacher-training programme curriculums.

Readiness in using online interactive platforms for remote teaching

Technological advances offer a new shift of change for society. In this era, it is almost impossible to come by without its help. The Malaysian government has invested highly in information and communications technology (ICT) for online teaching and learning at the current time. Digital technologies have been integrated into the teaching and learning process in almost all public or private schools in Malaysia. The use of multimedia tools has enabled learners to understand difficult concepts or ideas and different types of learning preferences. The purpose of the study is to identify pre-service teachers’ perceptions towards using online teaching platforms as a mode of teaching tool in carrying out service-learning in the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. Survey research was carried out on 94 final-year pre-service teachers from diploma in teaching english as a second language. Findings revealed that pre-service teachers had shown positive perceptions of online teaching platforms for remote teaching. Findings had also shown that pre-service teachers preferred blended learning by combining both classroom and online teaching over traditional classrooms per se.

Pre-service science teachers’ and in-service physics teachers’ views on the knowledge and skills of a good teacher

Science teacher knowledge and skills have been thoroughly discussed by researchers; however, less is known about how teachers themselves conceptualise their professional qualities. We asked first and final-year pre-service science teachers and in-service physics teachers to describe the knowledge and skills needed to be a good science/physics teacher. Data was collected through a one-item questionnaire, followed by interviews. Using thematic coding with inductively defined codes as well as codes derived from theoretical perspectives on teacher knowledge and skills (notably the Refined Consensus Model of PCK), we found that all respondent groups emphasised science content knowledge as important. In-service teachers also often described external factors such as working conditions. First-year pre-service teachers put more emphasis on pedagogical skills and personality traits, whereas final-year pre-service teachers expressed a more integrated view of science teacher knowledge and skills. Further, we discuss the need for teacher education to focus on integrating science content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge through articulating aspects of PCK, and on giving pre- and in-service teachers arenas for professional development and for research-based discussions of teaching and learning.

How Preservice Teachers Begin to Develop Equitable Visions for Teaching Multilingual Learners

ABSTRACT Given the growing numbers of multilingual learners in public school classrooms and persistent nationwide shortages of ESL-endorsed teachers, it is essential that preservice teachers (PSTs) are prepared to teach multilingual learners in equitable, effective ways. Visioning can help with this, but before developing visions that include being teachers of multilingual learners, PSTs must first develop metacognitive awareness of their beliefs about multilingualism and multilingual learners in the classroom. Using historically situated social practice and translanguaging pedagogy as framing, this study surveyed final-year PSTs pursuing elementary education or special education certification on four dimensions of beliefs about multilingualism: embracing the interconnected nature of language with culture and identity, valuing multilingualism, understanding language demand in content classrooms, and feeling responsible for language teaching. Results revealed contradictory beliefs about multilingual learners that were influenced by PSTs’ backgrounds and experiences, including whether they were pursuing an ESL endorsement and their second language proficiency. We call on teacher preparation programs to re-examine their curriculum in order to better prepare all PSTs to work with multilingual learners. Teacher educators can begin this work by helping PSTs become metacognitive about their beliefs as an essential first step to developing equitable visions for teaching multilingual learners.

The Development and Use of Improvised Science-Teaching Models: A Case of Natural Science Pre-Service Teachers

The study aimed to describe how a team of final-year pre-service teachers followed the process of improvisation to develop and utilise improvised science-teaching models during a teaching practicum experience. Guided by a conceptual understanding of the process of improvisation, this purposeful qualitative case study sought to respond to a series of research questions. These research questions are: “What are the issues that necessitate the need to develop science-teaching models for a teaching practicum experience?”, “How could the process of improvisation enable Natural Science pre-service teachers to develop improvised science-teaching models for a teaching practicum experience?” and “To what extent do the Natural Science pre-service teachers utilise the improvised science-teaching models in their teaching practicum?” Data collection methods such as spontaneous free-response e-mail communications, a focus-group discussion, and the use of photo-voice methodology yielded rich empirical data. The findings revealed how the Natural Science pre-service teachers ultimately engaged with the improvisation principles to develop improvised science-teaching models from low-cost and recycled materials. The paper further describes how the improvised science-teaching models were introduced in the pre-service teachers’ Natural Science lesson delivery as part of a model-based teaching approach. Findings from the study suggest that initial teacher education programs render environmental and contextual consciousness in shaping pre-service teachers for the diverse schooling contexts. The study further suggests that initial teacher education programs be intentional towards structuring module course material to make the skill of improvisation accessible to pre-service teachers as part of their teacher development.

Foundation phase pre-service teachers’ experiences of teaching life skills during teaching practice

Background: In South Africa socio-economic problems such as poor health conditions, juvenile delinquency, high rates of school dropout and teenage pregnancy are increasing. Therefore, it is vital to prepare foundation phase (FP) pre-service teachers to fortify children with basic life skills (LS) that will help them to cope with real-world challenges and demands. Aim: The study is aimed to explore the experiences of pre-service FPLS teachers during their teaching practice. Setting: This qualitative case study was conducted in the FP department of a teacher-training institution at a South African university. Methods: Twenty final-year pre-service teachers were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured interviews and reflective writing exercises. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, and the classification of the emerging themes was informed by Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory. Results: The findings revealed pre-service teachers’ experience of support from mentors, a struggle with implementation of FP curriculum, realities of classroom interaction, inefficient language of interaction for the FP classroom, and a lack of awareness of the importance of LS as a subject. Conclusion: The study argues that to improve the pedagogy of future LS teachers, a review and reform of the LS teacher-training curriculum are necessary. This curriculum needs to provide more extensive micro-teaching that promotes teachers’ general proficiency in the home languages of their learners and equips them with effective teaching strategies. The implementation of the LS curriculum needs to be regularly evaluated to ensure that these skills are imparted to young learners for their individual benefit and for the benefit of society.

Preparing Pre-Service Teachers for Inquiry-Based Practical Work in Multiple-Deprived Classrooms: A Decoloniality Approach

Amidst debates on decoloniality in higher education and instructional strategies earmarked for the 21st century in science classrooms, this paper argues for the preparation of teachers who have the epistemic capability to be functional in all school contexts. The study adopts a decoloniality approach and Sen’s Capability Approach to explore the link between pre-service science teacher preparation and the practice of inquiry-based practical work (IBPW) in multiple-deprived classrooms. Inquiry-based learning is an impetus of current reforms and curriculum projects in science education. Practical work is also central to science teaching and learning. The integration of inquiry-based learning and practical work results in IBPW instructional strategies. The implementation of the strategies is filtered through school contextual settings such as material resources and teacher professional identities, which are some of the unmet needs in multiple-deprived classrooms. What is subject to debate in this paper is how teacher training programmes prepare pre-service science teachers to effectively implement IBPW under the adverse conditions of multiple-deprived classrooms. Using one university in the Free State province of South Africa as a case study, data were generated by means of two focus group interviews, each with five final-year pre-service teachers, and semi-structured interviews with two lecturers. Theorising on a decoloniality approach for pre-service teacher preparation in IBPW implementation, the study highlights some epistemic and pedagogical issues that create multiple-deprived classrooms and perpetuate non-inclusivity and injustices.

Enhancing pre-service teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK): a mixed-method study

The main aim of this two-step mixed-method study was to explore the effectiveness of the strategies used to prepare pre-service teachers for technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK). Specifically, we focused on the strategies included in the synthesis of qualitative evidence (SQD) model: (1) using teacher educators as role models, (2) reflecting on the role of technology in education, (3) learning how to use technology by design, (4) collaboration with peers, (5) scaffolding authentic technology experiences, and (6) providing continuous feedback. To explore the relation between the perceived occurrences of the SQD-strategies and TPACK (controlled for pre-service teachers’ general attitudes towards technology), survey data were collected from a sample of 688 final-year pre-service teachers in Belgium. In a next step, 16 telephone interviews and 6 in-depth interviews were conducted to gain a more in-depth insight into the nature of the 6 strategies and their influences on TPACK. The quantitative analyses indicated positive correlations between the SQD-strategies and TPACK, controlled for general attitudes towards technology. The findings from the qualitative analyses showed that teachers acknowledged the importance of the six strategies. However, the respondents emphasized that some of the six strategies are often underutilized. Based on the quantitative and qualitative results, the discussion provides recommendations to improve the potential of pre-service training to enhance future teachers’ TPACK.

A multilevel analysis of what matters in the training of pre-service teacher's ICT competencies

Few empirical studies investigate the impact of pre-service teachers' background and ICT profile in combination with the support they receive from their teacher training institution on their ICT competencies. Moreover, research focusing on preparing future teachers for ICT integration is generally limited to the impact of one single strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test a model to explain pre-service teachers' perceived ICT competencies that integrates pre-service teachers' background characteristics (age and gender), their ICT profile (e.g., attitudes towards ICT) and the multiple strategies pre-service teachers experience in their teacher training institution: 1) using teacher educators as role models, 2) reflecting on the role of technology in education, 3) learning how to use technology by design, 4) collaboration with peers, 5) scaffolding authentic technology experiences, and 6) continuous feedback. Based on a survey among 931 final-year pre-service teachers in Flanders (Belgium), the multilevel analyses indicated a positive association between the strategies and pre-service teachers' ICT competencies. The more pre-service teachers perceive the occurrences of the strategies during their teacher education, the higher their perceived competence to use ICT for learning processes and to strengthen their instructional practice. Gender and age did not affect pre-service teachers' ICT competence for educational practice. Furthermore, the results revealed a positive impact of pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards ICT (in education) and ease of use, on their ICT competence for educational practice. These results can provide guidance for the preparation of pre-service teachers for the 21st century learning environments with new technologies.

Sustainability consciousness of pre-service teachers in Pakistan

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw attention towards sustainability consciousness (SC) of pre-service teachers (student teachers) as their role is central in teaching for sustainable development. This paper investigated SC of the pre-service teachers in Pakistan and compared it with other undergraduate students in the country and with that of Swedish upper secondary students.Design/methodology/approachThe paper used survey method using a tool developed by a group of Canadian researchers to measure knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable development. The instrument was later adapted by a group of Swedish researchers to measure SC. Study data came from 207 pre-service teachers and 154 undergraduate students studying humanities.FindingsThe paper reports that SC of the pre-service teachers in Pakistan is much lower than that of Swedish upper secondary students. Moreover, the paper indicates that the SC of pre-service teachers is not different from other undergraduate students in the country.Practical implicationsThis paper establishes a baseline of SC of the final-year pre-service teachers enrolled in BEd (Honours) programme in Pakistan. Such a study is critical in the context when ESD is a missing element in teacher education in Pakistan. In the presence of such a baseline study, teacher education institutes and departments might review their curricula in terms of their focus on ESD and plan for initiatives to educate pre-service teachers for sustainability.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to a broader debate on measuring SC of university students.

Graduate Standards for Teachers: Final-year Preservice Teachers Potentially Identify the Gaps

The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST) were devised to identify the attributes, skills and practices required of teachers at various career stages. This study investigates final-year preservice teachers’ self-reported confidence against the APST at the graduate career stage. This mixed-method study used a Likert scale survey and interviews. Preservice teachers indicated areas of confidence, and also identified potential gaps in their teacher preparation with 30% or more of preservice teachers indicating they lacked confidence to: Use strategies to support full participation of students with a disability; demonstrate understanding for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; engage with parents and carers to support student learning; and report on student learning to parents and carers. Qualitative data (n=10) explained reasons for these potential gaps, such as a “lack of experience in these areas of teaching” and a need for “universities to ensure experiences in these areas during practicum”.

Philosophical enquiry as a pedagogical tool to implement the CAPS curriculum: Final-year pre-service teachers’ perceptions

In this paper, we argue that philosophical enquiry, as practised using community of enquiry pedagogy, is an appropriate implementation strategy for Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) if the principles that underlie the curriculum are to be taken seriously. Matthew Lipman’s Philosophy for Children Programme and its community of enquiry pedagogy were intended as a classroom means to enhance children’s critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinking and prepare them for democratic citizenship. A previous study suggested that pre-service teachers benefitted from exposure to this pedagogy. The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which pre-service teachers, after a brief experiential

Measuring pre-service teachers' attitudes towards inclusive education: Psychometric properties of the TAIS scale

The Teachers' Attitudes towards Inclusive Education (TAIS) scale was designed to measure pre-service teachers' attitudes towards inclusion, as defined in the Salamanca Statement of UNESCO. The 10-item scale was developed using a sample of 185 final-year pre-service subject teachers. It was validated in four subsequent studies with various samples of teachers and pre-service teachers. The unidimensionality of the scale was established in all samples except the first-year students, and its validity was confirmed in psychometric analyses. The scale is suggested for use in intervention studies aiming to develop positive attitudes towards inclusion among teachers and pre-service teachers.

The School-Community Integrated Learning pathway: Exploring a new way to prepare and induct final-year preservice teachers

Universities and teacher employment bodies seek new, cost-effective ways for graduating classroom-ready teachers. This study involved 32 final-year preservice teachers in an innovative school–university partnership teacher education programme titled, the School-Community Integrated Learning (SCIL) pathway. Data were collected using a five-part Likert scale survey with extended written responses. Survey results showed that preservice teachers involved in the SCIL pathway learnt more about the teaching profession, which extended their usual university coursework. Furthermore, written responses suggested ways for advancing their understandings to ensure preservice teachers receive a quality school experience towards readiness for teaching.

The Relationship Between University Learning Experiences and English Teaching Self-Efficacy: Perspectives of Five Final-Year Pre-Service English Teachers

No literature exists on English teaching efficacy or self-efficacy or on pre-service teachers’ English teaching self-efficacy and its relationship to pre-service teacher education. This project addressed this conceptual and methodological gap in current teacher efficacy research literature. Five pre-service English teachers in their final year of double degree Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts teacher education programmes at an Australian university were interviewed about their self-efficacy for specific English teaching skills. Results suggest that the pre-service teachers see a significant relationship between their self-efficacy to teach English and their degree. The data suggests that the relationship between university learning experiences and English teaching self-efficacy is determined by the nature of those experiences.

Teaching the Future Teachers: A Teacher Educator’s Self-Study in Making Science Relevant, Useful and Meaningful for New Zealand Pre-Service Teachers

This self-study investigated how one teacher educator influenced his final-year pre-service teachers perceived primary science classroom learning environment. The study utilized the Nature of Science as Argumentative Questionnaire (NSAAQ) and regularly scheduled focus group interviews. These tools investigated how the learning environment the teacher educator created effectively modelled the pedagogical approaches stated in The New Zealand Curriculum . The initial NSAAQ results indicated where the pre-service teachers understanding of the nature of science were naive and what aspects needed to be addressed over the course of the programme. Focus group sessions revealed how some of the student teachers’ science attitudes altered over their course of study. These pre-service teachers reported they are now more confident to teach science and that their teacher educator influenced their anticipated teaching practices. This research supports the importance of self-study in initial teacher education.

The Role of Discipline in Determining Turkish Pre-Service Teachers' Behavioral Intentions to Use ICT

The purpose of this study is to determine the technology acceptance of a sample of final-year pre-service teachers of different disciplines in Turkey. Research sample is composed of 973 (583 females, 390 males) pre-service teachers. They complete a survey questionnaire measuring their responses to four constructs of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used as the main technique for data analysis. One of the main findings showed that the most important determinant of behavioural intention is perceived usefulness, this is followed by attitude towards computer use, and perceived ease of use. Another preliminary finding is that the participants somewhat agree with usefulness and easiness of ICTs and have positive attitude toward use of it in education In conclusion, the study has shown that the idea that perceived usefulness is a key variable in determining intention to use technology in education.