Initial Teacher Training Courses Research Articles

Trainee Teachers with Dyslexia: Results of a Qualitative Study of Teachers and their Mentors

This study explored the perceptions of trainee teachers with dyslexia, and their mentors, of their placement experiences during their initial teacher training course. The research was conducted within one initial teacher education partnership in the north of England. Data were collected through two focus groups; one of trainees and one of mentors. Trainees described the difficulties they experienced with teaching literacy (particularly phonics), difficulties with memory and difficulties with the administrative demands of placement. Mentors emphasised trainees’ weaknesses and although some mentors wanted to recognise and support the strengths of the trainees, they felt responsible as gate-keepers to the profession. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.16.12.6

Designing Micro-Teaching1 Sessions for an Initial Teacher Training Course

Designing Micro-Teaching1 Sessions for an Initial Teacher Training Course

Initial teacher training courses and non-native speaking teachers: a response to Jason Anderson

Initial teacher training courses and non-native speaking teachers: a response to Jason Anderson

The issue of the arrangement of new environments for science education through collaborative actions between schools, museums and science centres in the Brazilian context of teacher training

We present, in this article, an investigation about the potential of the relationship between formal and non-formal educational environments. Therefore it is not an empirical research, but an essay on the topic. This paper demonstrates the concept that science education and science outreach can be privileged by actions that are developed by closer relations between formal and non-formal places. Currently, non-formal environments such as museums and science and technology centres are considered potential educational resources within the reach of schools. Educators from museums have conducted studies which demonstrate a predominant model of the utilization of these institutions by teachers, which consists of illustrative visits during the exhibitions, but does not feature a collaborative relationship or partnership between schools and these institutions. In Brazil, the main examples of approaches to collaboration between these places and schools have been taking place through the initiatives of teachers or through projects developed by the educational sector, aiming to broaden the dialogue between their institutions and the school community. Another approach mechanism relates to research and extension projects developed by university researchers, sponsored by state and federal funding agencies. In this case, the universities and university museums appear as new social actors that stand in the way of the schools and the cultural environments, complicating the relationship and, at the same time, bringing new questions to the field of educational research. We believe that the discourse in this paper should bring about further discussions in the initial teacher training courses to contribute to the understanding of practices related to the extension of the field of activity of the school.

Initial teacher training courses and non-native speaker teachers

This article reports on a study contrasting 41 native speakers (NSs) and 38 non-native speakers (NNSs) of English from two short initial teacher training courses, the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults and the Trinity College London CertTESOL. After a brief history and literature review, I present findings on teachers’ backgrounds, reasons for participation, likely future teaching contexts, participants’ perceptions of which course components were most useful, and how well they felt their needs were met. NNSs are much more likely than NSs to have prior teaching experience and qualifications, they have very different reasons for taking such courses, they are more likely to teach in their home countries after completion, and they prioritize different components of the course. After discussing the implications of these findings, I conclude that current initial teacher training courses are not well suited to the needs of NNS participants, who may require a very different type of course to NS participants.

From medium to pedagogy: ‘fun and colourful’ lessons as a model for trainee teachers in further education colleges – questioning the postmodernist constructivist approach to classroom practice

As a result of the ‘fragmented and largely isolated traditions of pedagogy’ in the vastly diverse further education (FE) sector, initial teacher training (ITT) courses have been difficult to design and implement. Nevertheless, the historical requirement for FE teachers to possess a teaching qualification – although now removed – has raised their historically low professional status, from unqualified instructor or trainer, to qualified teacher. No sooner are we celebrating this initiative, when a new problem arises, a problem that threatens to undermine the value of both FE teaching qualifications and ITT provision at FE colleges: a postmodernist constructivist approach that is rapidly replacing a tradition of direct instructional guidance in the ITT classroom. Under this increasingly popular scheme, trainee FE teachers are encouraged to explore and discover educational concepts for themselves, by way of discussion groups, collaborative research, and an assortment of interactive and student-led tasks that emphasise learner enjoyment, interest and motivation. This is being applied across ITT courses at a number of FE colleges, regardless of the subject and level taught by trainee teachers. It is increasingly being described as ‘modelling’ for the trainee’s own lessons with his or her learners. Nevertheless, research shows that this postmodernist constructivist approach is not a pedagogy and that it does not automatically lead to higher student achievement. The article concludes with an appeal to balance postmodernist constructivist approaches to education with didactic instruction, in the belief that such a balance will not compromise learners’ skills and expertise in their future employment.

Tra riflessione e riflessività. Il diario di bordo nella formazione iniziale degli insegnanti: analisi di un'esperienza

Between reflection and reflectivity. Reflective journal in initial teacher training courses: analysis of an experience.Over the past two decades, the scientific debate has been an even broader consensus about the role of reflection in the professions and in particular in the field of educational professions within which teaching ranks. The contribution starts from a critical examination of the national and international literature about reflective approach and focuses on the ways to develop a reflective attitude in teacher training. In particular, it examines the role of reflective journals in initial teacher training moving from an experience in an University context.

Formative evaluation in Physical Education initial teacher training courses

The main objective of this study was to analyze the study plans of every institution offering teaching majors in Physical Education and Sports in Portugal, in order to determine the existence of formative evaluation issues in initial formation of future teachers. The sample was constituted by the curricula and study plans of every Physical Education and Sport teaching majors offered in every Portuguese university, as well as polytechnic Institute (graduate Schools); amounting to 29 higher education institutions. The returned data were 100%. Collected data were submitted for a descriptive statistical and a content analysis, using the NVivo software. Eleven (37. 9%) of these institutions were higher schools for education, private colleges were also eleven and seven were (24.2%) state universities. Related with formative teaching approach, data suggest the existence of discrepancies between initial teacher training models for physical education nationwide, both in content and structure. There are, however, similar training mechanisms with defined standards, according to each Institution. There is also no evidence of consensus between the institutions, when it comes to the contents related with formative subjects. Students’ success is proportional to the quality of the teaching and learning process. Key words: Education, student, learning, evaluation, physical education, teaching.

How do you get pre-service teachers to become ‘good at ICT’ in their subject teaching? The views of expert practitioners

The paper reports on a particular strand of the outcomes of the English contribution to an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development comparative study, ICT in Initial Teacher Training, which aimed to develop insights into how courses of initial teacher training prepare student teachers to use information and communications technology (ICT) effectively in their teaching. The paper extracts from the broader dataset the views of practitioners who were identified as being particularly ‘expert’ in their use of ICT, on what strategies and interventions are most helpful in developing teachers who are able to use ICT to enhance learning in their subject teaching, and also what it means ‘to be good at ICT’ as a subject teacher. Although some findings confirm research elsewhere on the importance of Technological and Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) frameworks, other aspects of the study question some of the assumptions which have been made about teacher induction in this field in England, which may have implications for the training of pre-service teachers in other countries.

Educação infantil em discurso:formação docente e estratégias pedagógicas.

This article reports on a survey conducted with the objective of discussing children's education, their strategies of pedagogical work and teacher training to work in this context , especially with regard to the role of teaching coordination . Initially , we performed a literature search in which it was possible to map the educator's role and its practical scanned from the goals of early childhood education . In a second step , we describe a field study in which three interviews were conducted with subjects who are at different moments in training as educators . It was observed that there is a concern with the initial teacher training courses in Pedagogy and difficult relationship with the vision care as a discourse that blurs the pedagogical dimension in early childhood education . At the same time , none of the interviewees indicates a critical posture around the structure of the school and the involvement of the same changes as agents of the present conditions . We conclude that it is necessary to resume a debate about human training offered by the school and the conditions of training that involves the construction of teacher performance .

Initial teacher training: understanding ‘race,’ diversity and inclusion

There is little research which has explored how students on Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses understand and conceptualise discourses of ‘race’, diversity and inclusion. This article will focus on student understandings of racialised identities; it will explore the discourses by which students understand what it means to be White and what it means to be Black, within the context of ITT. The article will examine the different facets and themes of identity within the context of belonging and exclusion which exist within higher education in the cultural and social contexts of English universities. The findings indicate that students’ understandings of ‘race’, diversity and inclusion on ITT courses are complex and multifaceted. The article argues that greater training is needed in relation to the practical assistance that student teachers require in terms of increasing their understanding of diversity and dealing with racism in the classroom.

Factors facilitating and constraining the delivery of effective teacher training to promote health and well-being in schools: a survey of current practice and systematic review

BackgroundSchools are an important setting for health promotion and teachers have an integral role to play in promoting children and young people’s health and well-being. Adequate initial teacher training (ITT) and continuing professional development in health is therefore important.ObjectivesTo conduct a survey of initial teacher training providers in England and a systematic review of effectiveness to assess how health and well-being is covered on courses, and to identify barriers and facilitators to effective training.MethodsMethods included an online questionnaire survey with a sample of 220 ITT course managers in England; interviews with a purposive sample of 19 of the course managers responding to the questionnaire; and a two-stage systematic review comprising a descriptive map of the characteristics of international research studies of health teacher training and a detailed synthesis of a subset of studies specifically on pre-service training. Databases (including MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Campbell Library and PsycINFO) were searched from the period of database inception up to May 2011.ResultsThe overall response rate for the survey was 34%. The majority (89%) of respondents agreed that it was either important or very important to cover health within the ITT curriculum. The most commonly covered topics on courses wereEvery Child Matters(100%), child protection (100%), emotional health (99%) and antibullying (97%). Fewer course managers reported covering healthy eating (63%), sex and relationships (62%), drugs (56%), alcohol (41%) and smoking (34%). Many interviewees expressed a holistic view of education and believed that health was important in the ITT curriculum. However, there was variability in how health was addressed across and within institutions. Trainee teachers' experience of addressing child health on school placement was also variable. Facilitators to covering health included interests and backgrounds of ITT staff; staff health-related professional experience; availability of health expertise from external agencies; supportive government policy frameworks; and interprofessional and interdepartmental working. The main barriers were limited curriculum time; health being perceived to be a lower priority than other aspects of training; health no longer a high government priority in education; and lack of funding. A total of 170 studies met the eligibility criteria for the descriptive map. The majority covered teacher training in relation to sexual and reproductive health, drugs and alcohol or mental and emotional health. A total of 21 publications (20 studies) were prioritised for the synthesis. All were evaluations of health training for pre-service teachers, and just under half were from the UK. Twelve studies reported outcomes (impact of training on teachers, but not pupils), many of which were single cohort before-and-after studies. Sixteen studies reported processes. Following training there were some increases in trainee teachers' factual knowledge of health and a general increase in their confidence to address health issues. In general, training was acceptable and well received by trainees. Evidence suggested that effective training should include practical experience and skills and be personally relevant and take into account individual needs. Barriers to health training identified from the studies included lack of time, balancing breadth and depth, and variation in training provision.ConclusionsAmong those surveyed there appears to be general support for health and well-being in ITT. However, further research on the longer-term impact of ITT around health and well-being is needed, particularly in the early career period. The main limitation of this research was the low response rate (34%) to the survey.Study registrationPROSPERO number CRD42012001977.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.

Recruiting Minority Ethnic Students on to Initial Teacher Training Courses

Recruiting Minority Ethnic Students on to Initial Teacher Training Courses

IMPLEMENTATION OF PROCESS-TARGETED ACTIVITIES OF PROSPECTIVE CHEMISTRY TEACHERS DURING CONTINUOUS TEACHING PRACTICE: A RATIONAL COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TEACHING METHODS ACCORDING TO THE EXPRESSED COMPETENCIES

The main aim of the teacher study program is to ensure the proper role of teaching practice, which is included in initial teacher training courses. It is necessary that teachers of chemistry gain or develop learner competencies for appropriate teaching/ learning in the chemistry subject by using innovative teaching methods. In terms of activities and methods correction of the continuous teaching practice model for prospective chemistry teachers in Pedagogical study program of 2nd degree "Educational Chemistry" which would ensure the creation of a competent chemistry teacher (active and innovative).The main result of the study is a list of potential competencies by prospective chemistry teachers using innovative teaching methods. These competencies can be developed and produced in the performance of activities defined by using continuous teaching practice, particularly in the areas of testing and assessment, experiential and collaborative learning, and experimental (laboratory and field) work. Each of these components is separately assessed by activity and competence. Key words: continuous teaching practice (role), innovative teaching methods, learners’ competencies, potential competencies by prospective chemistry teachers.

Why are there still so few men within Early Years in primary schools: views from male trainee teachers and male leaders?

One of the challenges facing the Early Years (EY) sector is how to encourage more male practitioners to counterbalance a largely feminised workforce. Using case studies of male trainees at different stages of their primary undergraduate Initial Teacher Training course at one university, we attempt to consider data why there is under-representation of men within the leadership strata in EY settings. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted with the male sample groups and male leaders in primary schools to gain an overview regarding gender stereotyping. Our findings suggest that male trainees enjoy working in the EY sector, but they need mentoring by strong leaders to help them overcome the perceived contextual barriers of male stereotypes in that setting. In conclusion, we consider some of these barriers of stereotypes, attitudes, values, beliefs existing and the actions needed in addressing such stereotypes if a long-lasting change is to happen.

The Interpretive Approach and Bridging the “Theory-Practice Gap”: Action Research with Student Teachers of Religious Education in England

This article presents action research conducted with student teachers of religious education in England, using theoretical propositions from Robert Jackson's interpretive approach to religious education. In the context of developing a master's-level initial teacher training course and international debate about the role of academic study in teacher education, the research investigated possibilities for using students’ exploration of theory to promote their professional development. Using a theoretical framework influenced by the work of Yrjo Engestrom, the article highlights the importance of peer group exploration in enabling student teachers to use received theory as a stimulus to their own theorizing and of university-based courses in providing opportunities for this.

Delivery of effective teacher training to promote health and wellbeing in schools: a survey of current practice

BackgroundTeachers play an increasingly important part in the wider public health workforce. Initial teacher training (ITT) should prepare teachers to be effective in promoting health and wellbeing in schools. However, questions remain about the provision and quality of public health within ITT courses. We aimed to assess how teacher training prepares teachers to promote health and wellbeing in schools, what barriers to and facilitators of effective training exist, and the relation between ITT and the changing policy landscape in public health and education. MethodsWe did a questionnaire survey of the 208 ITT institutions in England to assess how health is addressed in teacher training (eg, health topics covered, time spent on health, external organisations involved). We randomly sampled course leaders (n=220), stratified by region, type of provider (eg, university-based; employment-based), and number of courses offered. Questionnaire data were analysed with standard descriptive statistics. Qualitative follow-up interviews were done with a semistructured interview schedule with a purposive subsample of 19 questionnaire respondents, to investigate issues in more detail. Interview data were analysed with content analysis to create categories, which led to the generation of broader analytical themes. FindingsThe overall questionnaire response rate was 34% (74 of 220). Most respondents were based in universities (n=43; 58%), followed by school-based training providers (n=21; 28%), and employment-based providers (n=10; 14%). Most courses led by the respondents were postgraduate. 54 (89%) of questionnaire respondents thought emphasis of health of pupils or staff in teacher training was important or very important. The extent to which health was covered in courses varied. 49 (77%) respondents used external organisations to address health issues. Commonly used organisations included with local authorities (n=35; 75%), local schools (n=29; 62%), and charities (n=17; 36%), and less commonly health professionals (n=10; 21%). Some respondents anticipated that changes in educational policy might lead to a reduced focus on health in their courses, whereas others aimed to maintain the inclusion of health. In the follow-up interviews respondents described the ways they were adapting their courses to retain the focus on health. These methods included addressing the health-related aspects of special educational needs, disability, and behaviour management. Evidence of competing priorities existed, with lack of time in a busy curriculum a key barrier to addressing health. A supportive staff ethos and previous health-related experience of teacher educators were cited as facilitators. The interviews also showed that course leaders have a broad idea of health, with some taking a whole-child approach. A common view was that good health is essential for effective learning. This holistic view of education was seen to be in conflict with emerging government educational policy, which seems to place less emphasis on the importance of children and young people's health and wellbeing than previous policies. InterpretationVariability exists in the coverage of health in teacher training, and in methods and approaches. Policy and service delivery are undergoing a period of change in both public health and education, with the perception of less overt support for health and wellbeing in schools. Support does remain, but teacher educators, who generally remain committed to fostering the role of health in ITT, are interpreting policy changes in different ways in the planning of the content and structure of their curricula. Greater policy links between health and education could enhance the facilitating role of health expertise in teacher education. Our study is limited by reliance on the perspectives of college-based ITT providers; future studies should include placement schools. FundingNational Institute for Health Research Public Health Research Programme.

Teaching inclusively: are secondary physical education student teachers sufficiently prepared to teach in inclusive environments?

Background: Contemporary British educational guidelines, such as the National Curriculum (NC) have adopted inclusivity in the way children with special educational needs (SEN) are taught. Therefore, inclusion has risen up the political agenda, resulting in more children with SEN being taught in mainstream environments. Empirical research has attempted to examine PE teacher's perceptions of inclusion. However, it is evident that PE teachers perceive the training they receive during initial teacher training (ITT) as a constraint on their practice with specific regard to teaching children with SEN. Purpose: This study aimed to determine if student secondary PE teachers are sufficiently prepared to teach children with SEN inclusively, by examining their training at ITT as well as their perceived preparedness and confidence to teach inclusively. Participants and setting: 107 students from a four-year BA (Hons) and a PGCE secondary PE ITT course attending a North West England ITT institution participated in the study. Research design: Survey research was implemented to examine if student secondary PE teachers attending two different ITT courses were sufficiently prepared to teach in inclusive environments. Data collection: A 31-item semi-structured questionnaire comprising predominantly of closed questioning, was used for this study. Open-ended questions were included to collect qualitative data, intended to add richness to the data and explore students' perceptions. Questions focused upon respondents' inclusion training at ITT, the perceived effectiveness of this training, students' preferences in teaching, experience of teaching children with SEN, as well as their perceived preparedness and confidence to teach inclusively. Data analysis: Quantitative data was analysed statistically using SPSS. Qualitative responses were analysed using NVivo. Comparisons were made between the two different participant groups, in order to determine whether curriculum differences impacted on perceived preparedness and confidence to teach inclusively. Findings: Findings showed that BA (Hons) student teachers received more formal inclusion training compared with the PGCE students. Yet, student teachers from both courses were being expected to teach children with a range of different SEN within their in-school placements. As such, students from both courses demonstrated a desire to receive more formal hands-on experience of teaching inclusive PE, with particular reference to activity specific SEN training. Finally, it was discovered that while the participants generally felt prepared and confident to teach children with SEN, displaying positive attitudes for inclusion; few attributed this to their training at ITT, deeming their inclusion training at ITT as ineffective. Conclusion: PE ITT providers need to embed aspects of inclusion training throughout their curricula so that inclusion is not perceived as a bolt-on option. This will ensure student and newly qualified teachers (NQTs) have the experience and knowledge to teach inclusively. This training should include activity-specific SEN training, and student teachers should be provided with opportunities during their in-school placements to plan for and teach children with a range of different SEN. In doing this, it is expected that NQTs will enter teaching prepared, with the necessary skills to deliver inclusive PE lessons, thereby, confidently meeting the needs of their pupils.

ICT Pre-service Teachers’ Opinions about the Contribution of Initial Teacher Training to Teaching Practice

The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate how well initial teacher training in ICT prepare pre-service teachers to teaching profession. Eight pre-service teachers attending to the “School Experience” course from the Computer Education and Instructional Technology Department at the Middle East Technical University took part in this case study. Observation and interview methods were employed to gather data. Moreover, pre-service teachers’ lesson plans prepared for teaching activity were analyzed. The results showed that initial teacher training courses provided several affective teaching skills such as developing awareness about the importance of being well-prepared for each class, being calm for unexpected situations, and understanding the reasons of students’ misbehaviors in the class. However, according to ICT pre-service teachers, practical aspect of these courses was not enough. Most of them stated that they could not apply different strategies in different contexts. In addition, due to the lack of experience on classroom management they had difficulty in completing subjects although they left extra time for each activity in their lesson plans.

‘Being dyslexic doesn't make me less of a teacher’. School placement experiences of student teachers with dyslexia: strengths, challenges and a model for support

This research investigated the school practice placement experiences of six student teachers with dyslexia representing each year of a 3‐year initial teacher training course at a UK university. Placement performance and outcome has enormous implications for student teachers in demonstrating their professional competence and ability to meet the Training and Development Agency for Schools Professional Standards for Teachers and obtain qualified teacher status. The research focused thematically on student strengths, challenges and management strategies using a case research approach. Findings indicate student teachers with dyslexia bring unacknowledged strengths to placements but face a number of challenges despite proactive adoption of management strategies. A model of placement support to enhance student effectiveness has been developed. Conclusions indicate the importance of listening to the student's voice to understand individual placement requirements and co‐ordinate and implement specific reasonable adjustments as required by UK legislation1.