Preservice Teacher Candidates Research Articles

Using design-based research to adjust lesson study with pre-service teacher candidates

PurposeThis study reports on changes made within the study, plan, teach and reflect steps of lesson study with pre-service teachers who were learning to teach within a disciplinary literacy course.Design/methodology/approachUsing methods associated with formative experiments and design-based research, this study gathered data over four iterations of the disciplinary literacy course. Data included the course materials, pre-service teachers’ written work, observational notes from research lessons, transcripts of post-lesson discussions and teacher-educators’ analysis sessions and pre-service teachers’ post-program interviews. Data were analyzed within and across iterations.FindingsInitial adjustments to the lesson study process focused on the reflect step, as we learned to better scaffold pre-service teachers sharing of observational data from research lessons. Later adjustments occurred in the study and plan steps, as we refined the design of four-day lesson sequences that better supported pre-service teachers’ attention to disciplinary literacy while providing room for their instructional mentors to provide specific team-based feedback. Adjustments to the teach step included reteaching and more explicit attention to literacy objectives.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature by explicitly applying formative experiment and design-based research methods to the implementation of lesson study with pre-service teachers. Furthermore, it contributes examples of lesson study within a disciplinary literacy context, expanding the examples of lesson study’s applicability across content areas.

Pre-Service Teacher Candidates’ Perceptions of Classroom-Based Mixed-Reality Simulations

Background: Mixed-reality simulations (MRS) have been available for some time. However, teacher education programs in the United States are now introducing MRS as part of teacher training. Therefore, this study sought to determine teacher candidates’ perceptions of MRS and their possible benefits for education. Objectives: The purpose of this case study was to determine factors associated with a positive simulation experience, the simulation improvements or concerns, and what the teacher candidates learned from the live session. Methods: A qualitative methodological approach was employed. Feedback results were collected from 57 teacher candidates who participated in the MRS session, which were analyzed using an Excel document to identify the emergent themes. Results and Conclusions: The qualitative data revealed three themes: the real-life experiences were beneficial in acquiring pedagogical skills; the simulation was an effective training resource; and there was a need to improve the technology to ensure more realistic experiences. The simulation enables pre-service teachers to engage, think critically, and apply teaching skills with a small group of students. Conducting only one simulation was not enough to acquire knowledge on best teaching practices. Therefore, there is a need to implement additional MRS scenarios at the university level, so that teacher candidates can practice and feel confident teaching students in a safe environment.

The Impact of Entrepreneurship Education, Perceived Behavior Control, and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy on Pre-Service Teacher Candidates’ Entrepreneurial Intention

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of entrepreneurship education (EE), perceived behavior control (PBC) and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) on the entrepreneurial intentions of students of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat. This study used a quantitative method with the help of SEM-PLS to determine the effect of the model under study. Research data was collected through a questionnaire via e-form, which was distributed to Universitas Lambung Mangkurat students from September to December 2022. The instrument was filled with 239 students. The participants were teacher training students at Universitas Lambung Mangkurat who were chosen through a random selection process. The study's findings demonstrated that entrepreneurship education positively influences self-control and self-efficacy. Self-discipline and belief in one's ability to succeed benefit the desire to start a business. Entrepreneurship education does not influence entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship education was found to influence entrepreneurial self-efficacy and perceived behaviour control positively. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and perceived behaviour control positively influence entrepreneurial intentions, but entrepreneurship education does not significantly benefit entrepreneurial intents.

Essentials of Writing Pedagogy for Preservice Teachers With Considerations for Those Teaching Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Preservice teacher candidates acquire and develop numerous competencies in their teaching programs, including how to teach writing. Effective writing instruction is critical across all ages and content areas, especially when working with students with and at risk of emotional and behavioral disorders, making it an important aspect of teacher preparation. This article outlines what preservice teachers should know about writing instruction at the conclusion of their program, including resources and ideas for advocating for professional development.

Exploring the effect of pre-service teachers’ digital competence on paperless behavior

<p>Pre-service teachers must implement paperless behavior in line with institutional policies, technological developments, and environmentally friendly issues. Pre-service teacher candidates are expected to have digital competence in skills, abilities, and knowledge to successfully use computers, their related applications, and software in teaching and educational practice. It is predicted to affect their paperless behavior because digital activities reduce paper use. This study aimed to analyze the influence of prospective teachers’ digital competencies on their paperless behavior. The research is based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) using a quantitative approach involving 372 pre-service teachers at the Faculty of Economics, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES). Sampling was done by purposive sampling with specific criteria. The results of the study show that digital competence has an influence on paperless behavior by 43.1%. These findings add insight into the role of digital competence in an environmentally friendly learning process. This research suggests increasing students’ digital competence so that students’ paperless behavior rises in line with environmental issues.<strong></strong></p>

Perceptions of pre-service special education teachers in South Korea toward teaching physical education for students with disabilities

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of pre-service special education teachers in South Korea towards teaching physical education to students with disabilities. The qualitative descriptive case study was used to examine the perceptions of five pre-service special education teacher candidates using in-depth semi-structured interviews, a review of the teacher education curriculum, and the researchers’ field notes. The data were analyzed using constant comparative data analysis and exposed three themes, which were: (a) teaching students with disabilities in South Korea, (b) a lack of competency in teaching physical education, and (c) the challenges of teaching students with disabilities. In this study’s results, pre-service special education teacher candidates showed a lack of competency in teaching physical education to students with disabilities. Nevertheless, teacher candidates realised the many benefits of students’ participation in physical education classes. Therefore, it has been suggested that university faculty in teacher education programs should provide an opportunity for pre-service special education teachers to engage in practicum training and take classes to increase their content knowledge in teaching physical education.

University learning partnerships

Universities hold a significant advantage in the development of enterprising learning partnerships where internal and intentional collaboration can assist in addressing complex problems. Building a collaborative learning partnership between faculties enhances learning, removes blocks to enterprise and addresses industry problems. The learning partnership developed in this collaboration included academic staff from two different faculties, a team of students as well as input from external stakeholders including schools and pre-service teacher candidates. The approach included digital expertise and developmental pedagogies; with a shared outcome designed to meet the enterprise goals of the industry’s partner. The student team developed confidence and capacity in their ability to communicate with the industry partner as they were encouraged to be creative, equal participants with the agency to take risks and problem solve. The tangible outcome was the delivery of a minimum viable product that has potential to address issues around teacher shortage and other limits to school resourcing. Learning partnerships within universities facilitate authentic learning and encouraged enterprise.

K-8 Preservice Teachers’ Statistical Thinking When Determining Best Measure of Center

The purpose of this study was to determine K-8 preservice teacher (PST) candidates’ statistical thinking when selecting the best center representation for the given data. Forty-four PSTs enrolled in a Statistics and Probability for K-8 Teachers course in a university located in the southeastern region of the United States were asked to complete a 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress test item. All 44 PSTs’ data were qualitatively analyzed for correctness and statistical thinking strategies used. Findings were that most PSTs either incorrectly selected the mean, rather than median, as the best measure of center for the given data or did not use appropriate statistical reasoning when explaining their answers. Future research includes modifying the explanation component so PSTs must better explain their statistical thinking for their choice of best measure of center using the context of the problem. Future research could also include implementing a pre- and post-test design with the post-test item embedded in the final exam. This design will provide additional understanding of how much knowledge PSTs bring to the course versus how much they learn in the course and provide incentive for giving thoughtful consideration for their answers.

Examining Teacher Candidates’ Pedagogical Practices and Stances Towards Translanguaging and Multimodality in Writing

This study examines pre-service teacher candidates’ (TCs) stances and use of translanguaging and multimodality to support K-12 multilingual learners’ writing. Data were drawn from a course on supporting multilingual learners in a teacher education program in Ontario. Data sources were responses to the Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Language- Inclusive Teaching (PeCK–LIT) Test, and TCs’ unit plans and lesson plans. Analytical codes were derived from the literature on translanguaging: monolingual and translanguaging stance, translanguaging as a scaffold and resource, teacher-directed and student-directed, intentional and spontaneous translanguaging, and supporting monomodality and multimodality. Findings demonstrate the use of translanguaging strategies such as multilingual word walls and online translation tools. However, there were constraints to TCs’ stances, such as allowing translanguaging as a temporary scaffold towards English-only instruction and approaching writing as a discrete rather than multimodal skill. The paper recommends ways TCs can be supported in developing a holistic understanding of translanguaging and multimodality.

Using Literacy Strategies to Support a Preservice Teacher Candidate in Becoming an Effective Teacher

This qualitative investigation used a case study approach to collect data to answer this question: Did a preservice teacher candidate enrolled in a content literacy course while seeking initial middle-level teacher certification find literacy strategies useful in the instruction of seventh-grade science students? This study reports findings collected from one preservice teacher candidate, along with course peers, seeking initial certification for middle-level instruction. Data collection included an interview, member checking, and observations. Over the fifteen-week period of instruction in an undergraduate content literacy course, data provided evidence that literacy strategies used by a preservice teacher candidate in the instruction of science for middle-level students provided effective acquisition of instructional content.

Undergraduate Research Experiences for Pre-Service Teacher Candidates: Necessary Conditions for Productive Projects

Undergraduate Research Experiences for Pre-Service Teacher Candidates: Necessary Conditions for Productive Projects

Community partnerships: Leveraging service learning in small teacher preparation programs

During semester-long courses in inclusive methods and beginning reading instruction, pre-service teacher candidates participate in weekly tutoring sessions with elementary students in grades K-5. We outline principles identified for effective service-learning and describe how to embed them to integrate community service. We discuss service-learning with academic skills and content in mind, as well as reflection related to the experience, while ensuring the service-learning partnership includes the voice of the community partner. Lastly, a phase-by-phase guide for teacher educators is presented that we used in our small teacher preparation program through literacy instruction.

Evaluating Students' Experiences of a Weekly “Hour of Code”

In the winter semester of 2020 during a multimedia design and production class for pre-service teachers, the students were introduced to basic computer coding concepts such as variables, conditional statements, various expressions, logic, and syntax. For their final project, the students were asked to create an interactive instructional app using MIT App Inventor for their own future students in their teaching subjects (such as social studies, mathematics, science, and language arts). They were expected to integrate technical skills and knowledge of interface design, instructional design, and pedagogical strategies. The instructors examined exit tickets submitted at the end of each hour-of-code lesson and course evaluations at the end of the semester for evidence of threshold concepts, students' learning experiences, and motivation. This brief qualitative study provides a description of the course, coding and computational thinking processes, and the student evaluations. The paper concludes with commentary on lessons learned for teaching coding to pre-service teacher candidates.

Relational equity: Adapting an elementary mathematics teaching methods course to online contexts

Background. This article describes the redesign, implementation, and students’ experiences with an elementary mathematics teaching methods course in the Pacific Northwest of the United States that was forced online due to COVID-19 restrictions. We share course design principles, changes to reflect online teaching, and students’ experiences of relational equity, “the care and consideration students and teachers must take with each other to establish and maintain a culture of equitable learning.” Methods: This study took place online. 50 out of a cohort of 54 pre-service elementary teacher candidates participated. Our methods included analysis of course documents, analytic memoing, and analysis of students’ responses to online open response surveys. We qualitatively analyzed the responses from the surveys, coding for a priori and emergent themes (Charmaz, 1995; Emerson et al., 2011; Miles et al., 2019). Findings: The results share the ways the instructors modified the course for online instruction and indicate that our participants experienced successes or challenges to enacting relational equity in the following: (i) curriculum and assessments, (ii) instructors, (iii) generic reference to the course, (iv) technology limits, and (v) future teaching. Contribution: This work sheds light on how two mathematics teacher educators redesigned their course for online instruction while centering and modeling relational equity teaching practices.

The Perceptions and Experiences of Nontraditional Students in Teacher Licensure Programs

Nontraditional students seeking a teaching license are tasked with managing coursework and other responsibilities associated with teacher preparation programs; however, they are also likely navigating family dynamics, financial struggles, and other obligations that traditional undergraduate students do not face. We interviewed 19 preservice teacher candidates and report on their experiences when selecting their university of choice, the barriers they faced, and the supports they received. Participants reported coming to their university because of cost, location, and reputation. They reported common barriers such as inability to work, caring for children, and lack of support or access to other resources. However, participants reported professors and external funding as the major factors that had helped them succeed. Implications about this diverse group of students are discussed.

Examining coaches’ feedback to preservice teacher candidates on a core practice

PurposeFor preservice teacher candidates (PSTs), receiving feedback on core practices is an important component in supporting the development of their practice. However, coaches are often underprepared to support PSTs on core practices, and feedback can be infrequent or low quality (Anderson and Stillman, 2013; Clarke et al., 2014). Understanding such variation in the content and process for providing feedback to PSTs is important in evaluating and improving feedback effectiveness for amplifying their learning.Design/methodology/approachThe authors studied feedback provided by coaches in response to a video of a sample PST’s lesson. The authors examined the extent to which coaches’ feedback targeted the core practice of eliciting student thinking and whether this was associated with their assigned PSTs’ instructional practices during student teaching. The authors also questioned whether this aspect of coach feedback could be changed in response to professional development.FindingsThe results provide preliminary evidence that coaches vary in the extent to which they focus feedback on a particular practice, even when directed to do so. Moreover, when coaches provide focused feedback on a core practice, the PSTs that they coach use the core practice during student teaching. Further, coaches’ feedback can be improved through professional development.Originality/valueThis study contributes to a limited evidence base examining the association between feedback and PSTs’ observed practice. It also establishes that coach feedback can be improved with professional development. The authors discuss these results in the context of documenting and improving teacher preparation.

Digital Literacy Skills Among Black Pre-Service Florida Teachers

Digital literacy and the practical application of technology are essential skills for pre-service teacher (PST) candidates. PSTs’ abilities to effectively implement and foster digital literacy among their students could be influenced by the degree to which digital literacy is emphasized in their teacher education preparation programs. Such disparity factors as age and race have been noted between digital natives and digital immigrants. This study uses a two-phase qualitative design to explore how Black PST candidates perceive (a) digital literacy, (b) digital literacy instruction during their programs at Florida colleges and universities, and (c) the degree of importance of teacher education faculty placed on digital literacy. Preliminary data was collected using a qualitative questionnaire and focus groups. Findings revealed four themes: (1) computer savvy is not the same as digital literacy, (2) personal uses do not transfer to professional skills, (3) more significant need for explicit instruction, and (4) Generation Alpha is on top.

Educational policies requiring scripted reading curriculums limit early childhood pre-service teacher candidates

When educational policies require pre-service teacher practicum mentors to continuously implement a mandated scripted reading curriculum, limits are placed on pre-service teachers observing only these reading instruction methods. Novice teachers, who are developing their reading pedagogy, need the opportunity to explore a variety of methods identified as best reading instruction practice. When the pre-service teacher candidates are repeatedly exposed to the scripted methods in practicums, the partnership between the university professors and practicum school systems can suffer. When attempting to bridge theory and practice, the pre-service teacher candidate is affected when they observe conflicting viewpoints between college professors and the hosting practicums during a stage of professional growth and teacher development. If pre-service teachers are without practicum opportunities to try creative reading teaching methods, a result of increased negative outlooks on the profession and future teacher burn-out is a possibility.

Investigation of Teacher Candidates' Teaching Maths Anxiety and Teaching Maths Competencies

Considering the fact that teacher candidates' maths teaching anxiety levels and maths teaching competency levels will affect their maths teaching in future, the desired beliefs should be tried to gain teacher candidates. Therefore, a positive contribution will be made to achieve the desired gains in maths education. In the study, it is aimed to examine the competency levels of pre-school teacher candidates in maths teaching and their maths teaching anxiety levels in terms of various variables and to determine whether there is a relationship between the maths teaching anxiety of the candidates and their level of competency for teaching maths. The research is in relational scanning model. The "Maths Teaching Anxiety Scale" and "Maths Teaching Competencies Scale" were implemented to 104 pre-school pre-service teacher candidates studying in 2019-2020 academic year, which constitutes the sample of the study. As a result of the analysis, it has been found that while teacher candidates' maths teaching anxiety levels do not change by gender, female teacher candidates consider themselves more competent than male teacher candidates in maths teaching and 4th-grade teacher candidates have significantly less anxiety of maths teaching compared to 3rd grades. Besides, it has been determined that there is a statistically significant negative correlation between the maths teaching anxiety scores of the candidates and the average of the maths teaching efficacy scores.

Linguistically Responsive Instruction for Latinx Teacher Candidates: Surfacing Language Ideological Dilemmas

AbstractThis qualitative study explored Linguistically Responsive Instruction (LRI) for linguistically diverse Latinx preservice Teacher Candidates (TCs) at a tertiary institution in the southwest region of the United States. To provide an example of preparing TCs to engage in LRI by helping them reflect upon ideological orientations, we operationalized LRI as a series of three reflective tasks—language portraits, ideology trees, and utterance analysis—designed to pose linguistic ideological dilemmas (LIDs) for participants. Findings from multimodal thematic analysis suggest that during the study, engaging in LRI afforded teacher candidates space to explore tensions surrounding broader ideologies in circulation (ideological infrastructures), as well as personal ideological orientations towards themselves, their future learners, and society. These tensions generated dilemmas that caused participants to engage in language and ethnicity gatekeeping in ways that revealed the impact of institutionalized ideological stances toward linguistically and ethnically diverse speakers. Implications include (1) potential ways for faculty and students interested in LRI implementation to interrogate sociopolitical dimensions of language use across disciplines, (2) better understanding of whether and what type of ideological clarity may emerge from LRI in tertiary classrooms, and (3) how LRI might contribute to the disruption of less nuanced approaches to serving linguistically diverse learners in higher education.