Teacher Education Practices Research Articles

Lessons learned teaching social and emotional learning in physical education teacher education: a self-study

ABSTRACT Background Social and emotional learning (SEL) has emerged as a political and educational priority worldwide. Numerous academic and non-academic benefits of effective (well-designed and well-implemented) SEL programmes within educational contexts exist. Not surprisingly, SEL has been acknowledged as one of the most prioritised educational agendas to support students’ holistic growth and success across different subjects in schools, health and physical education is no exception. Yet, while SEL continues to progress as a global education priority, there is limited literature on SEL in physical education, and even less which seeks to explore teaching SEL in a physical education teacher education (PETE) programme. Purpose Framed by Loughran’s conceptualisation of developing a pedagogy of teacher education, this study explored lessons learned from one teacher educator’s first experience teaching SEL in a health and physical education teacher education programme. Method A self-study of teacher education practices methodology supported one teacher educator to interrogate their experience, decisions, identity, and practices teaching SEL in a PETE programme. Data includes written reflections (n = 10 pages, single-spaced), transcribed critical friend discussions (n = 112 pages single-spaced), and teaching artefacts. Data analysis involved a collaborative reflexive thematic analysis approach to facilitate the inductive identification of themes and patterns. Findings Results are grouped into three categories: lessons learned about my practice as a teacher educator, lessons learned about my pre-service teachers, and lessons learned about teacher education. The three lessons include: (1) the importance of SEL being taught not caught, (2) students lack content knowledge, and (3) once is not enough. Results confirm teaching SEL requires a programmatic approach. Each lesson represents an ongoing process of making sense of self in practice. Conclusions The results of this research provide pedagogical considerations about teacher education programmes and those who teach in them. Teaching about teaching is a complex process. Teaching about teaching SEL may be an even more complex process as teacher educators rarely have developed these competencies themselves.

Physical education teaching: A biomechanical perspective of physical education educators and coaches

This study investigated the integration of biomechanical principles into physical education teaching practices. We use a combination of surveys, classroom observations, focus groups, pre-assessments and post-assessments, as well as force analysis in order to look at the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of physical education educators and coaches. Our findings are that theoretically, there is a substantial chasm between knowledge and application in a physical education environment. Most teachers recognized the importance of biomechanics but frequently did not have adequate preparation and resources to make it part of their teaching curricula. From the findings of our study, we conclude that teacher preparation programs and professional development programs need biomechanic education in totality. Eliminating these gaps will significantly enhance the quality of physical education instruction and outcomes for all students. Our study empirically suggests that biomechanical interventions are indeed a practical improvement for students, as they actually make the students’ movements mechanically better, reduce the likelihood of injury, and give them even more motivation.

Backward Design in Pre-Service Teacher Education to Enhance Curriculum Knowledge

This action research aimed to enhance the curriculum knowledge of 37 pre-service teachers in early-childhood education through backward design (BD) as an innovative framework. Participants enrolled in an online curriculum development course focusing on curriculum elements and underwent BD-based instruction for five weeks. Multiple data collection tools were employed, including pre- and post-achievement tests and curriculum literacy scales, digital learning journals, performance tasks, course observations, and interviews. The results showed a significant improvement in the curriculum knowledge of the pre-service teachers. This was evidenced by a notable increase in curriculum literacy scores, a moderate improvement in achievement test scores, and positive performance task outcomes. These findings highlight the effectiveness of BD-based instruction in enhancing the curriculum knowledge of pre-service teachers. This study provides valuable insights for teacher educators to effectively tailor their instructional approaches. Further research is needed to validate these results and advance instructional practices in pre-service teacher education.

Lecturers’ Self-Reflective View and Adaptability in Co-Teaching Practices in Teacher Education

This self-reflective study investigated lecturers’ perspectives on and adaptability to co-teaching in teacher education in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to examine lecturers’ personal experiences with collaborative co- teaching and to identify the changes that are required to make co-teaching effective. A sample of teacher education lecturers worked together to co-teach undergraduate students at a university of technology. Mezirow’s transformative learning process was used as the main lens for the study. Data were gathered through participatory action research, and the free attitude interview technique was used to gather detailed information about lecturers’ personal experiences of collaborative co-teaching, and to identify the changes needed to make co- teaching effective. The findings reveal that, when co-teaching is effectively demonstrated, it enhances lecturers’ interpersonal and collaborative skills and makes it possible to support a significant number of students to engage in the classrooms. Most importantly, transforming the perceptions of collaborative co- teaching professionals leads to collective risk-taking, shared vision and responsibility and transformational and reciprocal learning, and improves lecturer and student learning. Co-teaching from an African perspective aligns with the principles of community, collaboration, inclusive education, and holistic development.

Evaluation of Instructor Capability: Perspective from Building Information Modeling Competition Students in Mainland China

Building information modelling (BIM) technology, which has experienced rapid development, has become the focus of digital education learning in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) related disciplines. However, BIM education is still confronted with the disconnection between theoretical education and engineering practice. In mainland China, BIM competitions are an important digital platform for higher education practice teaching. As the organizer and leader of student participants, BIM instructors, especially their BIM capability, have an important impact on digital education. Previous research on BIM capability did not involve the field of BIM education, and the existing BIM capability framework is not entirely applicable to evaluating the BIM capability of instructors. Semi-structured interviews based on grounded theory (GT) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to construct a five-dimensional model containing 23 capability indicators. The research findings highlighted the multi-dimensional nature of BIM capability for instructors and indicated that personnel capability was the most important for instructors, while process capability was considered the most dispensable. This is significantly different from the emphasis on technical and process capability in BIM capability research in the traditional AEC industry. It was also found that students from different levels of universities and different educational backgrounds had different demands for the BIM capability of instructors. The results of this study will help universities select excellent instructors, improve the quality of BIM education in universities, and cultivate more outstanding BIM talents for the development of BIM in the AEC industry, thereby promoting the digital practice of BIM education in universities.

Luokanopettajaopiskelijat kielellisiä havaintojaan selittämässä

In light of previous research, it is important to examine class teachers’ perceptions of language so that we can develop pedagogical practices to evoke pupils’ interest and enthusiasm towards the language. In this article, we study what student teachers perceive about language and how they conceptualise their perceptions. We examined 264 student teachers’ interpretations of two sentences with different ambiguities and a nonsense sentence. The data were analysed using both theory- and data-driven qualitative content analysis. The results showed that many students already had a high level of metalinguistic competence: they perceived the ambiguity of the sentences, approached the nonsense sentence with relevant concepts and were able to explicate their linguistic deduction. However, some of the students had challenges, for example in using metalanguage, or they perceived the sentences mainly from a normative perspective. The results can be utilized in developing teaching practices in teacher education and in enhancing the language awareness of student teachers.

“Once We Found Our Groove, . . .”: A Study of Preservice Music Teachers Engaged in a Popular Music Education Experience

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to examine the perceived benefits and challenges of implementing informal learning practices through popular music education for preservice music teachers. Specifically, we sought to understand why and how preservice music educators would perceive benefits and challenges from their experiences in a modern band. We conducted a study with five preservice music teachers in a modern band outside of the curriculum in a music teacher education program. We collected the data for 9 weeks, gathering multiple interviews, participants’ written responses, artifacts, and researchers’ field notes. Three overarching themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) a self-navigating process of aural-based learning, (b) autonomy with freedom, and (c) reflective educators. Our findings indicated that the ultimate goal of informal learning practices in music teacher education may not be limited to mastering musical skills but should include improving problem solving and classroom decision making.

Into the Open: Shared Stories of Open Educational Practices in Teacher Education

Navigating through the Faculty of Education as a teacher educator in Canada is complex and complicated. Research literature calls for an intentional focus on media and digital literacies, and technological competencies, in teacher education. Program directions are confounded by technological trends emerging in kindergarten to grade twelve education and higher education. This post-intentional phenomenological research study examined moments, materials, and insights from the stories shared by participants as they revealed media and digital skills, fluencies, competencies, and literacies in their open educational practice. This research provides insights into how teacher educators seize opportunities to work through complex matters while applying technology resources. It is becoming ever more important to share expertise as practitioners, researchers, and theorists in the field of education by making explicit what is often tacit and unspoken, and when sharing knowledge, reflections, and actions. By actively thinking-out-loud through blogs, social media, and open scholarly publications, educators can openly share details of what, how, and why they do what they do. Research findings reveal the importance of media and digital literacies in the dimensions of communication, creativity, connections, and criticality within an open educational practice as a teacher educator.

STEM Teacher Candidates’ Preparation for Online Teaching: Promoting Technological and Pedagogical Knowledge

Emergency remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on pedagogical challenges that require the immediate attention of teacher education programs. This paper focuses on teacher candidates’ preparation to teach online in a STEM curriculum and pedagogy course in a teacher education program at a Canadian university. The authors present a two-phase study of two cohorts of teacher candidates enrolled in this course and explore 1) their perceptions of the dynamics and effectiveness of online teaching as a teaching modality, and 2) the impact of the course on their technological and pedagogical skills necessary for online teaching. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through pre- and post-surveys administered online at the beginning and end of the course. Findings suggest that teacher candidates’ engagement with course content resulted in a notable improvement in their views toward online teaching as a teaching modality, pedagogical approaches, and personal abilities utilizing innovative online teaching strategies. This research emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive training programs that enhance teacher candidates’ technological competencies while simultaneously refining their pedagogical methodologies for online settings. Implications for teacher education research and practice are discussed.

A Practical Study on the Integration of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education and Professional Education in Higher Vocational Colleges

Innovation and entrepreneurship education is an important carrier to stimulate higher vocational students’ innovative spirit, and entrepreneurial enthusiasm and enhance vocational students’ professional quality and professional spirit. This paper analyzes the problems and challenges of the integration of innovation and entrepreneurship education and professional education in higher vocational colleges from three aspects: value connotation, innovation and entrepreneurship education system and practical teaching base. Based on the current innovation and entrepreneurship education reform practice in some higher vocational colleges, this paper puts forward the practical path of the integration of innovation and entrepreneurship education and professional education in higher vocational colleges, which provides a reference for the innovation and entrepreneurship education reform in higher vocational colleges.

Empowering Future Bilingual Educators: Integrating Trauma-Informed Approaches in Bilingual Teacher Education

The impact of trauma on children's social, emotional, and academic growth is profound, yet teacher preparation programs, particularly in bilingual and multicultural contexts, often lack comprehensive training in trauma-informed practices. This qualitative study investigates the integration of trauma-informed approaches into a bilingual teacher education course at a university in West Texas. The study included 59 undergraduate pre-service teachers enrolled in a course on bilingual and multicultural education. Data were collected through preliminary and concluding written interviews, alongside ongoing instructional interventions, including discussions, case analyses, and trauma-informed strategies. Initially, participants demonstrated a limited understanding of trauma, associating it primarily with extreme events such as accidents or death. Post-course assessments, however, revealed a broadened understanding, recognizing everyday traumas like poverty, bullying, and family instability. Findings suggest that integrating trauma-informed approaches significantly enhances pre-service teachers' ability to identify and apply practical strategies to support trauma-affected students. The study introduces the Trauma-Informed Bilingual Teacher Preparation Model, focusing on key components such as foundational trauma knowledge, recognizing trauma symptoms, culturally responsive teaching, creating supportive environments, and fostering teacher resilience. By embedding trauma-informed practices in teacher education, this model prepares future educators to cultivate compassionate, inclusive classrooms, particularly in bilingual and multicultural settings. The study emphasizes the importance of curriculum reform to equip teachers with the necessary skills to support both students' emotional well-being and academic success.

Finnish pre-service teachers’ knowledge about the Indigenous Sámi people

ABSTRACT Teacher education worldwide faces challenges in preparing prospective teachers for diverse classrooms. Understanding pre-service teachers’ knowledge and attitudes toward diversity is crucial for achieving this goal. This article details a study surveying first-year pre-service teachers at a Finnish university to evaluate their knowledge of and attitudes toward the Indigenous Sámi people. A web survey (n = 172) was used to collect the data. The data analysis was conducted using Fisher’s exact test and the Pearson chi-squared test. The findings indicate that although the pre-service teachers had some prior knowledge of the Sámi people, there is a need for culturally responsive education (CRE) that meets the Finnish National Board of Education’s standards for teaching about national cultures. The insights derived from this study offer clear directives for fostering inclusive teacher education practices that address the diverse needs of students from Indigenous and multicultural backgrounds.

An investigation of pedagogical change with novel technology in fee paying and no-fee schools during COVID-19

Following the reopening of schools after the national lockdown in March 2020, the Department of Basic Education (2020a) in South Africa implemented the School Reform Plan to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the loss of learning and teaching in schools. To date, limited information is available on the extent to which these measures have had an impact on pedagogical practices of teachers across the different poverty quintile schools. In this paper, we report on teachers' perceptions of how novel technological tools, introduced during the pandemic, altered their pedagogy practices across no-fee and fee-paying schools. Data was obtained from 1098 teachers and analysed using Engeström's (1987) Cultural Historical Activity Theory as the framework. Findings indicate that two broad, ideal pedagogical types, reinforcement pedagogy and collaborative pedagogy, emerged in both no-fee and fee-paying schools from the use of technology in schools during the COVID pandemic. While reinforcement pedagogy is motivated by the need to cover the curriculum, the motivation behind collaborative pedagogy is to develop learners' understanding of concepts in class.

Supporting preservice teachers to navigate the tensions of teaching English Language Arts: An examination of two teacher educator's literacies pedagogies

In 1997-1998, we taught in the same independently funded elementary school. As teachers of Grade 1 and Grade 2, the school leadership asked us to research and recommend a program to support early reading instruction and replace the outdated basal readers. Opinions were sometimes diverse as we met with parents and school board members to identify beliefs/priorities in early reading instruction. More than 25 years later, in our work as teacher educators in two provinces, we are embroiled in similar conversations about reading instruction in a field mapped by polarizing views expressed in reports, social media, and teacher professional texts. As teacher educators, we recognize: 1) this context as challenging for preservice teachers to enter professional practice and 2) our role in supporting preservice teachers in entering the field. This was the impetus for a research study examining our pedagogies. We ask: How are we, as teacher educators, supporting preservice teachers to navigate the theoretical and practical tensions of teaching Language Arts through our pedagogies? In this article, we share findings from a collaborative Self-Study of Teacher Education Practice (S-STEP) where we leverage our long-standing relationship as critical friends in research/teaching to examine our teacher education pedagogies in our elementary English Language Arts courses in 2022-2023. Data sources include teaching artifacts (e.g., syllabi, powerpoints, activities) and videorecordings of discussions as we share these artifacts over Zoom. Guided by posthuman perspectives, we consider the non-human and human entities that were a part of our pedagogies. Analysis is currently underway. Preliminary findings suggest a shift from sharing particular practices with each other to a focus on decision-making to support preservice teachers in weighing the desires of teaching practices in literacies as well as diffusing binaries. This article highlights teacher education practices as relational and moving in response to context.

Exploration and creation of meaningful teacher educator practises in physical education teacher education

ABSTRACT This paper examines four teacher educators’ work practices which either perceive to enhance or diminish meaningfulness in physical education teacher education. Through a community of learners, we took a narrative inquiry approach and in particular, a storytelling approach (Chiu-Ching & Chan, 2009. Teaching and learning through narrative inquiry. In D. Tidwell, M. L. Heston, & L. M. Fitzgerald (Eds.), In Research Methods for the Self-Study of Practice. Springer), to exploring, identifying, and examining meaningful teacher education practices. Stories (and elicited stories) were collected through recorded zoom meetings, critical discussions, and note taking. Collaborative data analysis resulted in three categories: (i) Ownership of practice as key to meaningful teacher educator practices; (ii) The influential interdependent relationships on the potential of meaningful teacher educator practices; and (iii) The power of reflection in learning from, and designing, meaningful teacher educator practices. We share considerations for other teacher educators in how they can strive towards developing meaningful teacher education practice, for example, we encourage teacher educators to engage in individual and collective reflection by being vulnerable.

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

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

El tratamiento de la cultura en las clases de español de enseñanza media en Senegal

Studies on the cultural component in the Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) classroom have seen significant growth in recent decades, although they have been limited in the Senegalese context. Therefore, through this article, we aim to contribute to this field of study. Our objective is to explore the balance of different aspects in the treatment of culture in the teaching of Spanish in the first cycle of secondary education in Senegal: the three cultures, the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, and the culture of the target language in relation to the student's culture. To achieve this, we have reviewed the Senegalese education curriculum and one of the most commonly used textbooks, Horizontes, while also investigating the teaching practices of educators in this stage through a questionnaire. We have observed an imbalance in that "Culture" has a greater presence than "culture", and "culture” is absent from Spanish classes. Additionally, local culture, which is not often approached from an intercultural perspective, is also addressed in the classroom, albeit to a lesser extent than the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world, with Spanish culture predominating among them.

Practices of social justice-oriented teacher education: a review of the literature

Practices of social justice-oriented teacher education: a review of the literature

Grensekryssing i yrkesfaglærerutdanningen: Betydningen av studentenes utviklingsprosjekter

This article aims to explore how vocational teacher students’ work with development projects can create coherence between learning in the university and learning in teaching practice. Previous research indicates that students often perceive a lack of coherence between the academic knowledge culture in the university and the experiential knowledge they encounter in teaching practice. The study uses boundary crossing as a theoretical approach, and the results are based on interviews with vocational teacher students. The results reveal that their work with development projects strenghten programme coherence by linking the learning arenas university and teaching practice. The development projects also acted as boundary objects, facilitating the integration of the different knowledge cultures and practices. This study contributes to understanding the potential of development projects to create coherence between university and teaching practice in vocational teacher education. The results suggest the need for closer collaboration between universities and schools in supporting vocational teacher students’ work on development projects to enhance boundary learning.

From the Soviet Union to Russia: fifty years of reforms in initial teacher education

ABSTRACT Teacher education in Russia has become the subject of considerable reform over the past 50 years. It is today a complex system of continuous training which gives students a chance to enter the profession in a number of different ways, as well as maintain their professional skill set throughout the course of their careers. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of the history and the state of art initial teacher education in Russia during the last 50 years. It aims to draw on scholarly expertise in Russia and will locate the policies and practices that are discussed within the context of teacher education reform. The main themes of the paper are the history and current practice of Russian initial teacher education. The paper will consider the relationship between policy and practice and examine the respective influences of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), and processes of wider reform in the Russian Federation since the 1990s.