Initial Teacher Preparation Research Articles

Understanding Teachers' Knowledge and Perceptions on Writing Through a Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) Professional Development Opportunity

Teachers must be equipped with the skills necessary to effectively deliver quality instruction, especially when implementing an evidence-based practice. Delivering these practices with high levels of fidelity requires knowledge that goes beyond what is learned in initial teacher preparation programs, often requiring ongoing and targeted professional development. In the current study, 19 teachers and instructional personnel attended and completed a professional development opportunity to learn how to use the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model, an evidence-based practice, when teaching writing. Pre- and post-professional development surveys were completed and analyzed to evaluate whether meaningful outcomes occurred. Results indicated that the professional development caused participants to re-conceptualize their knowledge and perceptions of quality writing and quality writing instruction and to explicitly share intentions to implement SRSD writing instruction in their classrooms. Results will be shared and implications for future research discussed.

Transforming Teacher Education: Research Into Initial Teacher Preparation in Literacy

Transforming Teacher Education: Research Into Initial Teacher Preparation in Literacy

EDUCATION POLICY IN ALBANIA AND THE MAJOR PRINCIPLES OF THE PAN-EUROPEAN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RECOMMENDATIONS

In Albania, efforts to create a more student-centered curriculum, expand the use of ICT, and increase equity have placed new expectations on teachers to create more inclusive classrooms where students develop transversal skills and prepare for participation in a democratic knowledge society. As Albania continues to decentralize its education system, school leaders are also expected to take on new responsibilities, reach out to parents, and build strong links with their communities. The main teacher and school leadership policy issues identified in this EPR include the status of the teaching profession, teachers’ and principals’ employment and working conditions, initial teacher preparation, the state examination and internship programmed that lead to teacher certification, hiring and deployment procedures, continuing professional development, teacher performance appraisal, and the school leadership role.

A Gender Perspective in Initial English Language Teacher Education: An Argentinian Experience

In second language teacher education there is a gap in the literature concerning initial teacher preparation on gender and sexuality education. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of a foreign language teaching module with a gender perspective on the education of a group of 30 student–teachers at an online initial English language teacher education programme in Argentina in 2018. Following an ecological approach to teacher research, data were gathered through surveys and student–teachers’ completion of coursework. Overall, the student–teachers found the experience beneficial both regarding their personal development as citizens and future teachers, in terms of their increased awareness of gender matters and their ability to produce motivating language activities anchored in wider social practices which promote gender equality and diversity. The study includes implications for initial teacher education and curriculum development.

A Research Review of Literacy Tutoring and Mentoring in Initial Teacher Preparation: Toward Practices That Can Transform Teaching

Our goal through this literature review is to report and synthesize the findings from research into literacy tutoring and literacy mentoring in initial teacher preparation. We identified a total of 62 published articles that met our selection criteria. We identified four conceptual areas of focus to organize and represent our findings: (a) the structural and design features of the one-to-one or small-group experiences, (b) preservice teacher learning and growth within the tutorial/mentoring experience, (c) preservice teacher learning and growth beyond the tutorial/mentoring experience, and (d) mediating factors associated with preservice teacher growth. We discuss the challenges and promises for this line of research for transforming teacher preparation through the attention to third and hybrid spaces for mentoring experiences.

Read‐alouds in the upper elementary classroom: Developing academic vocabulary

This article highlights the potential of teacher read‐alouds of informational texts for building academic vocabulary. These represent the general, high‐utility words with Greek and Latin roots and the discipline‐specific words associated with increased academic rigor of curriculum in the upper elementary grades. The author provides the theoretical underpinnings and underscores the importance of building and bridging oral academic vocabulary to written academic literacy through a series of linked, scaffolded learning tasks. These tasks provide opportunities for recycling and practice with new words and transforming them to written modes, resulting in deep learning. These ideas are suited for working with preservice teachers in initial teacher preparation programs. In‐service teachers could also use these materials in their classrooms or for professional development in a community of practice setting where collaborative work, discussion, and shared reflection are valuable adjuncts for introducing new teaching ideas.

Reviewing How Preservice Teachers Are Prepared to Teach Reading Processes: What the Literature Suggests and Overlooks

Today’s world requires attention to all aspects of initial literacy teacher preparation, including how and what preservice teachers learn about the component processes of reading. To address this imperative, a review was conducted of articles published from 2000 to 2018 identified through the CITE-ITEL database ( https://cite.edb.utexas.edu ) that reported findings related to reading processes and initial teacher preparation. After an inductive analytic process, the authors organize findings into five focus areas: (a) definitions and delimitations of reading processes, (b) studies of preservice teachers’ beliefs about teaching reading processes, (c) research identifying preservice teachers’ knowledge gaps and misconceptions, (d) intervention studies aimed at increasing preservice teachers’ knowledge, and (e) studies detailing the application of knowledge about reading processes into contexts of pedagogical practice. The discussion considers the current gaps in how reading processes and literacy are conceptualized and possible areas of inquiry related to preservice teacher education and reading processes.

Visual arts education: Functions and roles of primary art teachers

The paper reports on Indian research with primary teachers reflecting in various ways on their preparation to teach areas across the curriculum, their perceptions of their ability to do so and their levels of confidence in teaching in these areas. The research contrasts the Visual and Performing Arts vis a vis the more traditional academic areas of the curriculum such as Literacy and Numeracy. Primary teachers were invited to respond to a mailed survey focusing on these issues together with a range of considerations pertinent specifically to the Visual Arts; they were also invited to indicate their willingness to participate in the next phase of the research. The subsequent stages of the study involved, firstly, an intensive interview with a selection of the participants and, secondly, a case study mentoring programme with three teachers exploring the possibilities of tailored support. The research revealed critical gaps between preschool teachers’ levels of ability, confidence and enjoyment which impacted significantly on their delivery of Visual Arts programmes which accords with the findings of national and international studies in relation to generalist primary teachers. Many of the early childhood teachers referred to the paucity and inadequacy of their initial teacher preparation for Visual Arts, compared with the perceived key areas of Literacy and Numeracy, and the dearth of subsequent professional learning opportunities. The paper interrogates these disparities and explores teachers’ specific concerns. In response to these concerns, a mentoring programme was developed and trialled in Indian preschools using only existing resources. Its efficacy as an individualized strategy suggests its strong potential for a broader but targeted professional development mentoring program.

Pre-service Teachers’ Professional Identity in Rural Area Colleges of China

This study contributes to the existing teacher education on teacher professional identity, particularly in response to curriculum and instruction, motivation, future job choice and professional development. Our study examines pre-service teachers’ professional identity development at the point of 4-year undergraduate program. Our study aims to establish a baseline understanding of their perceptions about teaching before they embark on the initial teacher preparation program and to explore the changes in their perceptions (if any) at the point of graduation from the program. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of informing admission criteria into the program, how initial teacher preparation program can be enhanced and key areas of focus for beginning teacher induction program.

Linguistic challenges faced by rural Tshivenda-speaking teachers when Grade 4 learners transition to English

The general complaint of teachers in rural monolingual communities is that teaching becomes problematic after learners are promoted to Grade 4. While the transition to a next academic phase places new cognitive demands on the learners, they must also adjust to being taught in English after 3 years of mother tongue education. This qualitative case study was underpinned by Krashen’s theory of second-language acquisition which emphasises the importance of exposure to and interaction in the target language. Six Grade 4 teachers who are mother tongue speakers of Tshivenda and two curriculum advisors participated in the study. Data were collected through individual interviews and classroom observations. Initially, it was assumed that the transition was problematic, because learners’ English proficiency was inadequate, but teachers too struggled to impart academic content to Grade 4 learners and relied heavily on code switching. This strategy contributed to learners’ understanding of content, but militated against any improvement in their English. The remoteness of this rural monolingual community implies a limited exposure to the target language, but ought not to be reckoned an excuse. Means to build teachers’ linguistic confidence and improve their oral proficiency during initial teacher preparation as well as greater in-service support should ameliorate the transition for learners. A revision of the mother tongue Foundation Phase curriculum and monitored implementation is advisable.

Journeying Towards the Profession: Exploring Liminal Learning within Mixed Reality Simulations

ABSTRACTUnlike the situated learning within traditional clinical placements, mixed-reality simulations support a laboratory learning environment where preservice teachers practice their instruction with low risk to the preservice teachers and human students. Simulation experiences can be used in teacher education programs to prepare candidates for the field within a carefully designed curriculum that measures threshold learning. This study explored liminal learning in a teacher education program that used mixed-reality simulations prior to and within clinical placements. A qualitative case study was used to understand the experiences of the participants who were bound by three levels of exposure to simulations. Findings indicated that learning within the mixed-reality simulations could be characterized by three spaces: preprofessional, liminal, and trending toward professional. The integration of mixed-reality simulations within initial teacher preparation core courses facilitated the journey of preservice teachers toward professional identities as they faced instructional and behavioral challenges over the course of three semesters.

The use of video as a tool for reflection with preservice teachers

ABSTRACTThis study explores how the process of making and reviewing videos of their own instruction impacts the development of preservice teachers. The study looks at the impacts, both positive and negative, of a video portfolio assignment implemented in a teaching methods course, and of the uses and meanings these videos have for preservice teachers, their instructors, and the teacher preparation program. Findings suggest that the videotaping assignment has the virtue of shifting attention to the often-overlooked embodied dimensions of teaching (e.g., gesture, posture, gaze, tone of voice, facial expressions, use of materials, and positioning). On the other hand, the requirement to videotape themselves teaching can produce anxiety that can make preservice teachers tend towards self-conscious, teacher-centered versions of teaching. The article concludes with implications for how initial teacher preparation programs can implement the videotaping requirement of edTPA in ways that best support preservice teachers’ growth.

Exploring the OECD ITP(Initial Teacher Preparation) Program and Its Implications for Future Teacher Education and Induction Policy

Exploring the OECD ITP(Initial Teacher Preparation) Program and Its Implications for Future Teacher Education and Induction Policy

A comprehensive model for assessing student teachers’ professional competence through an integrated curriculum approach

The purpose of this concept study was to propose a comprehensive model for assessing student teachers’ competences in teaching practice. The study answered the following question: How can student teachers be holistically assessed for teaching practice using a comprehensive model? Teaching practice is a crucial component of initial teacher education (ITE) preparation programmes. However, while teaching practice is one of the most widely studied areas in ITE, international studies indicate fragmented trajectories in the assessment of teaching practice. In addition, very few studies in South Africa have reflected on how assessment is done for teaching practice during ITE programmes. In most of these programmes, performance-based, observation-based, or on-demand assessments are given preference at the expense of others. Against this background, this study was designed to produce a comprehensive model for assessment of teaching practice during initial teacher preparation from the available literature. Epistemologically, the study was underpinned by social constructivism and theoretically supported by an integrated curriculum approach. The study followed a narrative literature review approach, focusing on studies that explored ways in which teaching practice is assessed in ITE. From this analysis, the study provided a holistic and comprehensive model for assessing student teachers’ professional competences during teaching practice.

Education for diversity in initial teacher preparation programmes: A comparative international study

Despite the growing diversity in school polulation, many teacher educators fail incorporating diversity-related content into the courses they teach. As a result, numerous preservice teachers lack quality learning opportunities to become well versed on issues of diversity in meaningful ways. This article reports the results of an international study which explores preservice teacher perceptions of opportunity to learning to teach in diverse inclusive classrooms. A questionnaire was used to document the perceptions of a cohort of kindergarten and elementary student teachers from Spain and the US. Results indicated that strong international differences existed in the perceptions of respondents towards opportunity to learn theoretical aspects of teaching for diversity (e.g., know intervention strategies to meet student diverse educational needs), opportunity to learning to teach inclusively (e.g., learn how to develop an inclusive curriculum), and opportunity to observe and analyse practical aspects of diversity teaching (e.g., conduct diversity-related field-work), all these differences favouring US respondents. The results highlight the need for increased attention to teaching diversity in preservice teacher education programmes. Implications for ongoing development of initial teacher preparation are discussed within the context of improving educators and student teachers’ training for diversity. Key words: Teacher education for diversity, opportunity to learning to teach, inclusive education, preservice teachers’ perceptions, international higher education.

Initial Teacher Preparation for Teaching Students with Exceptionalities: Pre-service Teachers' Knowledge and Perceived Competence

This research study surveyed 100 undergraduate teacher education students in a regional university in Australia, explored self-reported perceptions of their knowledge about students with exceptional needs, and their competence to be effective educators of these students in an inclusive classroom. Additionally, we included a measure of general attitude toward teaching in an inclusive classroom. What made this exploratory study atypical was broadening the concept of ‘exceptionality’ to the inclusion of items related to students with physical and cognitive challenges, superior academic gifts and those deemed to be twice exceptional. The results were unexpected in that teachers’ age, parental status and exposure to units of study in special and inclusive education did not differentiate their knowledge, perceived competence, or general attitude.

Silenced voices: the disappearance of the university and the student teacher in teacher education policy discourse in England

The teacher preparation landscape in England has been subject to radical policy change. Since 2010, the policy agenda has repositioned initial teacher preparation as a craft best learnt through observation and imitation of teachers in school settings. Simultaneously, a market-based approach to the recruitment of pre-service teachers has led to significant changes for prospective entrants to the profession. In the enactment of policy between 2010 and 2015, the roles of universities and voices of prospective teachers were systematically silenced. Using critical discourse analysis, we demonstrate how both actors have been positioned in, and have accommodated and resisted, the current policy discourses. These findings highlight the importance of problematising and understanding these emerging issues at local and international levels.

Education and child poverty in times of austerity in Portugal: implications for teachers and teacher education

In recent years Portugal has experienced a severe financial and economic crisis, with implications for all sectors of society, particularly education. Salary cuts, high rates of unemployment, high taxation and worsening career progression are just some ways in which the teaching profession has been affected. Recent policy changes have also impacted on initial teacher education. This paper gives a brief characterisation of the emerging picture within the context of crisis, drawing on data from continuing research on the effects of poverty on teaching and teacher education. It looks at student teachers’ experiences during practicum in regard to issues of poverty at school, as well as the ways in which poverty is framed and discussed during their initial teacher preparation. Key findings point to student teachers’ perceptions about poverty and its impact on children’s well-being and equal opportunities; the strategies they employ to deal with poverty at school; and the complex role of the teacher in promoting equity and social justice through facilitating access to powerful knowledge for all children. Implications for teacher education are discussed, particularly the need to foster social and cultural dimensions of teacher education.

Unpacking the Clinical and Participatory Dimensions of the Trump Math-Teacher-Residency-Program

: The research presents a Residency Math teacher education program that has been developed in Israel in search of transforming initial teacher preparation on the Clinical-Participatory continuum. It is a 'multi-phase' mixed-method research aiming to present the clinical and participatory dimensions of the TMR: the way in which they are reflected in the curriculum planning program, how Student Teachers (STs) in the program perceive the program's clinical and participatory dimensions and the nature of the challenges that arise in the program. Tools include: Documents of the programs; observations of the practical school experiences; A closed clinical social-interactive Questionnaire and a semi-structured clinical participatory (CP) questionnaire. The findings reflect clinical-participatory concept in teacher education, both in the curricular and the socio-interactive aspects. The analysis of the clinical-participatory dimensions, including their different aspects and components can be a guiding framework for diagnosing, planning, investigating and evaluating teacher education programs.

Unpacking the Clinical and Participatory Dimensions of the Trump Math-Teacher-Residency-Program

The research presents a Residency Math teacher education program that has been developed in Israel in search of transforming initial teacher preparation on the Clinical-Participatory continuum. It is a 'multi-phase' mixed-method research aiming to present the clinical and participatory dimensions of the TMR: the way in which they are reflected in the curriculum planning program, how Student Teachers (STs) in the program perceive the program's clinical and participatory dimensions and the nature of the challenges that arise in the program. Tools include: Documents of the programs; observations of the practical school experiences; A closed clinical socialinteractive Questionnaire and a semi-structured clinical participatory (CP) questionnaire. The findings reflect clinical-participatory concept in teacher education, both in the curricular and the socio-interactive aspects. The analysis of the clinical-participatory dimensions, including their different aspects and components can be a guiding framework for diagnosing, planning, investigating and evaluating teacher education programs.