Initial Teacher Training Research Articles

Research Progress, Trends, and Updates on STEM Learning-ESD: A Bibliometric Analysis

The aim of this paper is to analyse research trends and address knowledge gaps in order to improve STEM-ESD learning. Technical terms are explained upon first use, and sentence structure is clear and unambiguous. The bibliometric review examines current research progress, trends, and updates related to STEM-ESD learning. The study used the Scopus database to select documents and VOSviewer software to investigate bibliometrics. STEM-ESD research shows an upward trend based on the analysis of 19 collections of STEM and ESD learning papers from 2010 to 2023. Indonesia leads in conducting STEM-ESD research, with the highest number of publications on this theme in 2022. In 2010, the significance of STEM-ESD research was its application in the STEM curriculum. STEM-ESD research has facilitated the inclusion of various social science topics in the learning process. This fosters 21st-century skills in students through a project-based learning model. Further STEM-ESD research can be advanced by improving pedagogical design capacity, biodiversity, sustainable development goals, formal and initial teacher training, biology education, and sustainable learning. This will lead to more innovative research.

Interdisciplinary learning combining engravings and poems by teachers in initial training

Interdisciplinary is proposed to address a technologic knowledge-based society. This research employs quantitative methodology to analyze the perception of an integrated interdisciplinary practice involving engraving and poetry among 63 teachers in initial training. The goal is to identify correlations between age, gender, and the three dimensions of interdisciplinary. We infer a moderate positive correlation between age and the perception of skills, and a weak correlation with the perception of knowledge and interdisciplinary attitude dimensions, yielding results. This research aligns with the stance in favor of interdisciplinary education, advocating for its importance from pre-university to university levels, as a preparation for students to tackle complexity.

Implementation of Service-Learning in Madrid Primary Schools

Service-Learning (SL) is an experiential educational approach that engages students in solving real-world problems within their local environments, thereby enhancing both learning and community well-being. This study conducts a quantitative analysis of SL implementation in primary education across the Community of Madrid, using data from questionnaires distributed among local schools. From 262 responses, descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were applied. The findings highlight that, despite the recognized benefits of SL and the interest from many teachers in adopting this approach, there is a significant lack of adequate training during both initial teacher training and ongoing professional development. SL projects, though infrequent, have been implemented across various grades, with a higher occurrence in the later stages, and have covered all subjects, most notably Social and Civic Values. However, the overall implementation of the SL methodology remains sparse in the Community of Madrid.

The Role of Secondary School Teacher Training in Their Teaching Practices — A Secondary Publication

This work aims to analyze the effect exerted by the initial and continuous training of secondary school teachers in France on their teaching practices. For this, we carried out a secondary analysis of data from the TALIS survey (Teaching and Learning International Survey), conducted in 2013 in 34 countries, including France. In particular, we focus on practices related to the teaching methods used, classroom management, how to communicate, and the evaluative practices of teachers. In support of binary logistic regression models, we showed that the variables related to initial training play a weak role, and even exert a negative effect on certain pedagogic practices, leading to a reflection on the renovation of this training. On the other hand, our analyses highlighted the greater weight played by certain continuing education actions.

Perception of Inclusion and Attention to Diversity in Initial Teacher Training

The objective of the study was to determine the perception that undergraduate students have about inclusion and attention to diversity. A non-experimental design research of comparative descriptive level was carried out with a sample of 203 students of the professional career of Education. Data collection was obtained through the application of the scale of perceptions about inclusion and attention to diversity, taken from Cardona and Paz, 2012 version, which has validity and reliability. The results obtained indicate that students have a favorable perception of inclusion and attention to diversity; they agree with the approaches to inclusion but consider that the formative content they have been receiving in their initial training is insufficient. It is concluded that it is necessary to strengthen the curricula of the study programs with respect to inclusion and attention to diversity from an integral and transversal approach.

How do micro-placements in industry within an initial teachers’ training programme contribute towards bridging the gap between education and employment?

ABSTRACT The complex interplay between labour market needs and education poses significant challenges to the teaching profession, frequently criticised for its perceived inadequacy in addressing contemporary work – life dynamics and professional practices. In response to these challenges, the ‘Micro-Placements’ initiative was introduced in an initial teacher training programme in Malta, aimed at providing student teachers with practical exposure to different industries. This study reports on an evaluation conducted within a higher education institution, utilising a responsive approach alongside the RUFDATA evaluation framework to observe the value-added of having micro-placements in a programme that enables students to become teachers. Through qualitative analysis, this study underscores the value of micro-placements in enriching pedagogical practices by enabling teachers to integrate diverse workplace experiences, thereby fostering the development of skills essential for active citizenship among students. The findings advocate for the integration of micro-placements into initial teacher training programmes and for their incorporation into continuous professional development initiatives for educators.

Responsibilities and perception of course coordinating professors of the curso de Licenciatura em Matemática no IFSP regarding the scope of the function

This article, an excerpt from the author's thesis, presents the responsibilities and impressions of the teachers who served as Coordination of Degree in Mathematics, at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of São Paulo (IFSP), between 2008 (the first institutional offer of the course) and 2021 (date of data collection), regarding the exercise of the function. With the central objective of identifying how the function demands pedagogical and educational management dimensions, we started with institutional documents and qualitative research data, obtained in a questionnaire sent to all (former) coordinators of the aforementioned period. By opting to categorize the data, two dimensions were obtained: pedagogical and educational management. This movement resulted in the characterization of the function as articulating, formative and transformative, from the point of view of the pedagogical dimension. As well as educational management consisting of leadership, democratic processes, participatory management and organizational culture and climate. (In)directly impacting the initial training of future mathematics teachers.

Instrument to Evaluate Intercultural Competence in Pedagogy Students

Confronting the current educational reality involves developing intercultural competence during and after training to produce an impact on educational practices that promote positive classroom interactions with culturally and linguistically diverse students. In this context, this article presents the results of the construction and validation of the Intercultural Competence for Pedagogy Students (ICPE) instrument in a Chilean university. Taking into account the focus of interest, intercultural education in initial teacher training, the validation sample of the survey included 521 students in initial teacher training. This research aimed to establish the goodness of fit of the scale by analyzing the reliability and validity of the construct through confirmatory factor analysis. The scale presented adequate psychometric properties, contributing to the measurement of intercultural competence in initial teacher training to support attention to students in their cultural diversity.

Textual mediation for adult immigrants in initial teacher training

Initial teacher trainees are preparing for multilingualism and multicultural work environments that present the challenge of mediating texts aimed at teaching adult immigrants in an additional language. The study aims to investigate the perceptions of university education students regarding textual mediation suitable for immigrant adults. Qualitative inquiry involves 130 university students through discussion groups after a textual mediation intervention. Results emphasize the impact of applied practice on skill perception and acquisition across educational levels and highlight the necessity of integrating practical experiences into teacher training.

Parabola or second-degree polynomial function exploration in initial teacher training: Integrating intuition and didactic situations

This work is the result of a master’s investigation in Brazil, which discusses the teaching of the parabola in the initial training of mathematics teachers. Our theoretical framework addresses the relationship between intuition and the dialectics of the theory of didactic situations, which supports the analysis of the results of this study Its objective was to identify and register categories of intuitive reasoning manifested by the subjects when solving a didactic situation involving the parabola with GeoGebra software contribution. The methodology adopted was didactic engineering, experimented with eight students in initial training at a Brazilian public university, among 6<sup>th</sup> and 9<sup>th</sup> undergraduate semesters. The posterior analysis and validation allowed us to verify the need to discuss the parabola, articulating its geometric, algebraic, and analytical views, as well as to reinforce the importance of its teaching with the use of technology.

Pre-service teachers’ perceptions towards integrating educational robotics in the primary school

This paper seeks to understand the impact of a training program on 19 pre-service primary school teachers’ perceptions towards educational robotics (ER). The training program is based on a reflective process of design and implementation of a learning scenario during the practicum, using a pre-experimental design. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire applied at three moments of the intervention: pre-intervention, post-intervention 1 (19 weeks after), and post-intervention 2 (37 weeks after). The results show that the features of the proposed training program positively influenced the pre-service teachers’ (PST) perceptions towards ER. Experiencing curricular integration of ER and participation in a reflective process of learning scenario design positively influenced their perceptions in post-intervention 1. After experiencing the integration of ER in the practicum class, PST adjusted their positive perceptions in post-intervention 2. PST also displayed a decrease in neutrality in their perceptions in post-intervention 1 and post-intervention 2. Given the limited sample, it’s not possible to generalize these results, however they have implications for initial teacher training programs dedicated to technology integration. PST must be allowed to confront their preconceived perceptions of integrating technology into teaching and learning processes with the reflective process of designing and implementing a lesson plan that integrates technology during the practicum.

The Understanding of Scientific Inquiry by Teachers in Initial Training: A Comparative Study between Brazilian and Portuguese Undergraduates

Understanding the relevant aspects of the construction of knowledge in science, as well as the elements that are an essential part of a scientific inquiry, need to be discussed in teacher training courses in the area of natural sciences. This study aimed to identify and classify investigative elements present in the conceptions of undergraduates from a university in Brazil and another in Portugal who will be working in basic education. This is a qualitative study using content analysis to identify categories based on the students’ responses, and a quantitative approach using descriptive statistics to quantify the absolute frequency of each response. The data were obtained during a preparatory course on inquiry teaching given to 30 undergraduates from both countries in 2023 through the analysis of a problem situation involving forensic entomology. The results showed that the most frequent investigative elements present in the students’ answers are the problem, the formulation of hypotheses, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and the conclusion.

Insights into UK Teachers’ Wellbeing and Workload during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: Testimonies from the Silent Voices and Lessons Learnt

This paper presents the findings of a national survey of over 3400 teachers across all phases of education in England, 10 weeks into school closure. In this paper we report on the teachers’ experiences and their testimonies of the effects of the lockdown on their wellbeing as they navigate the situation, trying to cope with teaching and adjusting to the use of new technology to deliver lessons in the confines of their home. We present their voices as they related their experiences and emotions in real time as the event unfolded. Teachers reported an increased workload with a proportionately large amount of time spent on administrative duties and planning, but less on actual teaching. On average, these teachers spent 15 h a week marking during the lockdown. Under half of the respondents said they felt happy and cheerful often, while only 17% said they did not feel this way often. Almost all teachers said they felt that what they were doing was important and worthwhile. The most common emotions expressed by teachers were fear, isolation, neglect, anxiety, and confusion. The inconsistency and lack of clarity of government guidelines added to teachers’ anxiety. The negative media portrayal of teachers did not help. The majority of teachers reported little previous experience in online teaching and only a quarter were confident in using edtech to deliver remote teaching. Only a third of teachers said they were adequately supported for online teaching. This has implications for future teacher development and initial teacher training. However, there were equally numerous positive experiences reported by teachers. Active support from parents and consistent school-home communication were seen as important in ensuring students’ continued engagement with learning. These lessons are beneficial in supporting the long-term sick and school refusers post-lockdown.

Increasing accessibility in language education – the SCALED project

This paper aims to familiarise the readers with the motivations and pedagogical principles behind the outcomes of the ‘SCALED – Supporting Content and Language Learning Across Diversity’ project and with the outcomes themselves. These include an open online course for initial teacher training and continuing professional development of language teachers, accompanied by a methodological guide and a report on good practices in inclusive language education and inclusive foreign language teacher training. The SCALED project addresses the needs of both the academic and school communities, aiding educa- tors in proactively eliminating existing and potential barriers to language learning. It incorporates empirically validated models and approaches, such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the integration of indi- vidual accommodations and adjustments in learning and assessment conditions. The project seeks to advance fairness and counter discrimination and marginalization by fostering inclusive practices in teacher training and language education via enhanced accessibility. Accessible language learning environments can empower individuals with diverse needs, including special educational needs, and enable them to unleash their abilities and potential. Accessibility constitutes a leading theme that transpires in all SCALED course modules and materials, from accessible instruction and assessment, through accessible and usable digital language materials (docu- ments and multimedia) and online learning platforms to accessible and supportive language learning environ- ments (e.g. assistive technology) for learners with special educational needs resulting from dyslexia, ADHD, autism, blindness and visual impairments, and diverse cultural and language backgrounds.

A systematic evidence synthesis of disability and inclusive pedagogy in initial teacher training in English as a Foreign Language

This systematic review considers recent evidence of the preparation of inclusive education implementation in the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education across different countries. The study comprised of a comprehensive search of multiple databases which are accessible for scholars with visual impairments working with an open-source screen reader application: British Education Index, Education Source, ERIC subscription, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. The searches generated 508 studies from January 1 2002, to December 31 2022,. 73 duplicated studies were removed, leaving 435 records to be screened for inclusion. 430 of these were rejected for not meeting the selection criteria, leaving five studies for inclusion. One additional relevant study from author's personal collection of references was also included in the review. The review discovered that the issue of disability and inclusive pedagogy in initial EFL teacher education scholarship is extremely under-studied. Only four relevant studies were conducted in the Global North, two in the Middle East, and none in the Global South, where an expanding population of pupils learning English are located. The findings of this study provide insights and recommendations for policy and practices of initial EFL teacher education.

Las fuentes orales en la formación inicial del profesorado para el estudio de la memoria histórica del franquismo y de la transición

In the initial training of teachers for the Degree of Teacher in Primary Education, it is important to know and analyze the main processes in the history of the present time of Spain, understood as the chronological arc that includes Francoism and the transition to democracy. A period that connects with current problems, but that is barely outlined in generic ideas about institutional, political, economic and social processes. The objectives of the paper focus on assessing the validity of oral sources in the teaching and learning of History. The method carried out is the collection of significant data related to the Francoism period and the transition from the testimonies of interviews with the students' relatives, which generates a large documentary corpus with great didactic potential, although loaded with subjectivity. The analysis of the information collected allows us to establish the relationship between historical processes and understand their complexity from the analysis of multicausality. The results show the need to use the parameters of democratic memory and how oral sources in the classroom can help in the knowledge and understanding of its concepts. It is notable how in critical reflection the students point out their awareness of the conflictive processes that occurred in Spain's recent past and experienced first-hand by family members from different geographical origins. The evaluation of the proposal will make it possible to advance the teaching of recent history in the initial training of teachers based on relevant issues, comparing possible permanences and changes, and supported by the reflective analysis of democratic values.

The Pedagogical Projetct of Mathematics course at Unimontes: what is the evidence for teacher training?

This study aims to discuss the process of implementing the references for teacher training in the Mathematics course at Unimontes, identifying the convergences and divergences between the Pedagogical Project of the Course (PPC) and Resolution CNE/CP nº 2/2015. This is a documentary study with a qualitative approach, using the method and techniques of content analysis. The problematization of the processe of construction and implementation of the references took place in the light of authors of Historical-Critical Pedagogy. In the project analyzed, there is evidence of a proposal for initial teacher training based on the pedagogy of the reflective teacher, related to the epistemology of professional practice. On the other hand, Resolution CNE/CP nº 2/2015 was characterized from a broader perspective of teacher training, seeking to ensure guiding principles to be taken into account in the degree projects at each institution.

Identity Formation of Pre-Service Teachers. Relations with Training and Attitudes toward Cultural Diversity

The university years represents a pivotal period in the student's life, influencing decision-making and impacting their identity. The new experiences encountered during this phase may give rise to a certain identity crisis, allowing for a reconsideration of previously adopted commitments, and potentially influencing the development of future educators, with a special issue such as cultural diversity among others. This study aims to identify the identity status of prospective education teachers and analyse attitudes towards cultural diversity among students. The research design is quantitative, ex-post-facto, descriptive, and inferential. The incidental sample comprises a total of 378 students from the degrees in Early Childhood Education and Primary Education at the University of Córdoba (Spain). Of the total sample, being 74.03% female, with an average age of 20.64 (SD = 2.95). The results reflected that students in a mature status are those who exhibit higher scores in attitudes towards cultural diversity. In this context, the initial teacher training should consider identity as a factor to be taken into account for promoting positive attitudes towards cultural diversity, specifically emphasizing the development of responsible decision-making in the curriculum of Education degrees.

Television Series as a Didactic Tool in the Initial Training of Secondary School Teachers

Within the context of Pre-Service Secondary Teacher Education, skills development (PSTE) requires, among other things, the cultivation of critical thinking among future teachers, who must also acquire conflict prevention and resolution skills. To this end, the students of a master’s degree in Secondary School Teacher Training at a Spanish University were asked to analyse, in small groups, the conflicts featured in a television series. The research objective was to learn more about trainee teachers’ opinions regarding this methodology. The results indicate that they had favourable opinions about this method and were highly satisfied with the learning process and with the teamwork. Significant differences according to sex and age were observed. This suggests that forming more heterogeneous work groups in the future would be a good idea. The results also suggest that critical thinking was a good predictor of student satisfaction with the methodology. It would, therefore, be a good idea to develop critical thinking in more depth during PSTE.

Virtual reality platform for teacher training on classroom climate management: evaluating user acceptance

Enhancing the educational experience through Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) is a promising avenue, elevating the authenticity and responsiveness of simulations. Particularly in educational settings, IVR holds the potential to augment accessibility and engagement in learning. However, one pivotal aspect lies in assessing the learners' acceptance of such environments to ensure optimal and effective utilization of these technologies. This paper delves into the Didascalia Virtual-ClassRoom usability testing —an immersive IVR environment tailored for pre-service secondary school teachers. The platform transports users into a simulated classroom, where they are invited to play the role of a teacher. During the simulation, three scenarios are recreated, reproducing disruptive behaviours commonly faced in real classrooms. 84 participants (28 teachers and 56 pre-service teachers) engaged in decision-making to manage the classroom climate influenced by the simulated situations. To collect data, we used a questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to assess and gauge users' inclinations and attitudes towards embracing the technology in question. To gain deeper insights into the user experience, participants were further invited to participate in semi-structured interviews, offering reflections and suggestions for potential enhancements. The evaluation process encompassed the perceived usefulness of the Didascalia Virtual-ClassRoom, shedding light on factors that could either facilitate or impede the adoption of this platform to enhance classroom management competence. The participants' perspectives serve as a valuable foundation for refining the tool's functionality, and their feedback fuels recommendations for its seamless integration into initial teacher training programs.