Pre-service Teacher Education Research Articles

A Hybrid Escape Room to Foster Motivation and Programming Education for Pre-Service Teachers

Educational escape rooms aims to motivate students, to strengthen knowledge and evaluate learning. Pre-service teachers enrolled in “Computer Science and Digital Competency” course shows lack of motivation and difficulties to realise its usefulness in everyday practice, becoming an ideal context to apply this strategy. 157 students belonging to a European university participated in the experience as case study. The educational escape room was conducted following a hybrid model, mixing a physical organization of props with a virtual organization of the narrative, tests and achievements. The experiment was designed to answer two hypotheses, first if applying escape room as an educational strategy fosters pre-primary and primary students' motivation, since this method address complex concepts in a practical way, and second, if the application of this strategy as teaching strategy makes students perceive the learning process as a game.

Development of a Mathematical Experience from a STEM and Sustainable Development Approach for Primary Education Pre-Service Teachers

Development of a Mathematical Experience from a STEM and Sustainable Development Approach for Primary Education Pre-Service Teachers

Development of research skills through research-focused microteaching lesson study in preservice teacher education

This article presents the findings of an action research project that developed, implemented, and analyzed the efficacy of a model combining microteaching lesson study with research-focused activities. The research involved 45 preservice student-teachers. Data were collected from their research reports, and their research skills, individual differences, and experiences were examined using statistical and content analysis. The student-teachers performed better at analyzing the microteaching lesson study than at formulating research aims and questions, drawing conclusions, or conducting literature reviews. The research-focused microteaching lesson study helped them connect theory with practice, develop pedagogical knowledge, and become familiar with research-based teaching practice.

동시대미술 기반 예술놀이 경험의 교육적 의미탐색

Objectives The purpose of this study is to suggest implications for art education methods for pre-service early childhood teachers by exploring the educational meaning of art play experiences based on contemporary art. Methods To this end contemporary art-based art play was conducted for 14 weeks for 39 pre-service early childhood teachers who took the ‘Creative Arts Education’ course in the first semester of 2022 at a three-year university located in S city. The data collected in this study are personal portfolios, art play creation results ppt, and reflective journal. Results The results of the study showed that pre-service early childhood teachers experienced ‘discovering the artist within themselves’, ‘expanding art experience into daily life’, ‘positive perception of play-centered art education’, ‘improving confidence through proactive art play practice’ through the art play based on contemporary art. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, it was revealed that contemporary art-based art play experiences have educational value in art education for pre-service early childhood teachers, and further implications related to art education for pre-service early childhood teachers were suggested.

Pre-service Teachers' Perspectives on the Integration of Technology in Future Education: Between English Education and Ethics Education Majors

The current study aimed to investigate the perceptions of pre-service teachers regarding the integration of advanced technologies into future education and to examine whether these perceptions differ significantly based on the pre-service teachers' academic majors. The participants consisted of 110 pre-service teachers majoring in Ethics education and English education at a university in Korea's Gyeongsang Province. A questionnaire comprising 59 items was administered, addressing aspects such as interest in the utilization of advanced technologies, resistance to their use, concerns about their application, and expectations for the future of education over the next decade. Statistical analyses, including a paired t-test, an independent <i>t</i>-test, frequency analysis, and analysis of variance, were employed to examine differences based on variables of gender and major. </br>The study revealed statistically significant disparities in the perceptions of pre-service teachers from distinct majors, particularly between English education majors and ethics education majors, concerning the incorporation of advanced technologies in education. English education majors demonstrated notably high awareness, particularly in the domain of neural machine translation. Conversely, ethics education majors demonstrated a lower inclination to embrace the use of advanced technologies in their instructional practices. Additionally, ethics education majors expressed the belief that the role of teachers would become more pivotal in classes integrating these technologies. Considering these research outcomes, it becomes evident that future education for pre-service teachers should underscore comprehensive training in both digital technology education and the development of competencies in areas where artificial intelligence cannot replace the role of educators.

The relationship between opportunities to learn in teacher education and Chinese preservice teachers’ professional competence

ABSTRACT Although research on the relationship between opportunities to learn (OTL) in teacher preparation and preservice teachers’ learning outcomes, including aspects of their knowledge, has significantly increased in recent years, the relationship between OTL and preservice secondary school teachers’ cognitive competence and, particularly, the situated aspect of competence, in Mainland China remain poorly understood. This paper examines this association based on a study involving 583 preservice teachers chosen from four preservice teacher education institutions. The results revealed that the preservice teachers received adequate OTL in various domains, such as tertiary-level mathematics and mathematics education pedagogy. However, mainly due to the influence of academically oriented teacher preparation models in Mainland China, there were quite weak overall connections between OTL and the four examined aspects of teachers’ professional competence (mathematics content knowledge, mathematics pedagogical content knowledge, a mathematics instruction-related perspective on noticing, and a general pedagogy-related classroom perspective on noticing). Comparatively speaking, relatively strong associations existed between OTL in teaching methods, school-based teaching practicums, and the situated aspect of competence (e.g. noticing). These findings show that, to a great degree, initial teacher preparation in Mainland China does not relate closely to preservice teachers’ professional competence.

Using queer critical literacies in pre-service teacher education to foster critical allyship

ABSTRACT The queer critical literacies (QCL) approach to education aims to meaningfully engage with gender and sexuality diversity in educational settings. This article reflects on an English course for final-year Bachelor of Education students at a South African university. In the course, the QCL framework was introduced and texts with diverse gender and sexual identities were prescribed for class discussion and assessment topics. Data were collected from students’ final essay assessments for the course and relevant extracts from selected essays were analysed through thematic content analysis. The findings indicate that the purposeful inclusion of QCL in teacher education courses can enable students to reflect deeply on how they engage with gender and sexuality diversity in their teaching, and the QCL approach can promote positions of critical allyship in pre-service teachers which can make schools more inclusive spaces. However, the data revealed limitations in students’ understandings of diverse gender identities, including the conflation of transgender identities with same-sex sexualities.

“Not just limited to the class itself”

This study represents the account and analysis of an attempt to make the development of higher-level reflection skills an explicit learning outcome on a Trinity College London CertTESOL course. It analyses the effect that this attempt had on the depth of the written reflections of trainee teachers, and attempts to uncover their perceptions of their own development. Previous work has examined the effect of interventions to encourage the development of reflective skills in preservice state-school teacher education and in-service teacher training. However, it has not addressed such an intervention on a TESOL Certificate course. The present study draws on the relevant literature to design a process of reflection, and analyses its effectiveness. Qualitative analysis consists of deductive analysis of participants’ written reflections and inductive analysis of transcripts from semi-structured interviews. Findings show that trainees developed their reflective skills, could use their reflections to adapt their teaching, and were aware of their own development. It concludes that aspects of TESOL Certificate courses are conducive to the development of reflective skills, and suggests a procedure which can maximise the benefits of these aspects and a level of reflection appropriate as a learning aim of such a course.

Learning online and teaching face to face: Exploring the planned and enacted conception of teaching of preservice teachers on school placement

This research delved into the experiences of a group of preservice teachers (PSTs) who were taught online and participated in teaching in person as part of their school placement. The study analysed the planning and reflection documents of 101 PSTs, as well as evaluations from their instructors, using a thematic and document analysis. The findings showed that PSTs exhibited strong planning abilities, and a solid understanding of teaching skills. However, these PSTs struggled in managing the classroom and individualising instruction. It is proposed that future teachers' learning occurred through an ongoing process of construction and refinement across formal and informal educational settings, although the transfer of learning remains inconclusive.

Research Competence of Pre-Service Teachers: A Systematic Literature Review

<p>The importance of research competence in pre-service teacher education has been highlighted in many studies, but concerns over the lack and inconsistency of definition, measurement, and development of research competence still exist. This poses a challenge for pre-service education programmes to provide quality education to pre-service teachers in this area. Through a systematic literature review it was found that there is a gap in the existing literature regarding the definition of research competence in pre-service teacher education, as there seems to be no consensus on the definition. There is, however, an agreement that the development of research competence is an important part of study programmes, as it contributes to higher quality education of pre-service teachers. Addressing this, the review proposes a concise definition of research competence as a multifaceted construct that includes critical thinking, self-directed learning, and organizational skills essential for effective research. The review also highlighted a lack of consensus on the most appropriate frameworks and tools to use in measuring research competence in pre-service teachers, with studies using various frameworks and tools that differ in terms of research methods, instruments and sample characteristics. The results suggest that there is a need for greater attention to be paid to the definition and measurement of research competence, as well as its development within pre-service teacher education programmes.</p>

Pre-service TESOL teachers’ professional-awareness building through reflecting on reflections of critical incidents

AbstractScholars have questioned the effectiveness of reflective practice for gaining professional awareness or attaining professional development. In addition, the prevalence of inadequate comprehensive framework for pre-service teachers’ reflective practice and insufficient support of teacher educators have been noted in the literature. Against these backdrops, the present study attempted to demonstrate how reflecting on reflections, a form of reflective practice, of Critical Incidents (CIs) contributes to building pre-service TESOL teachers’ professional awareness. The study involved ten pre-service teachers (PSTs) in reflecting on reflections of CIs during the teaching practicum. Following the interpretive phenomenological approach, the study unfolded the CIs associated with pedagogical factors, including passive participation of the students, students’ late arrival in the classroom, disobedience to teachers’ instructions, the chaotic environment in the classroom, students’ rude behavior, and disruption caused by technical glitches, and CIs associated with intrapersonal and interpersonal factors, comprising students’ emotional exhaustion and unprofessional behaviors by senior teachers. Subsequently, it illustrated how PSTs cultivated their professional awareness through reflecting on reflections of CIs. The study presented a reflective practice framework applicable to pre-service and in-service teacher education programs. It also provided practical suggestions for pre-service and novice teachers to address and overcome the CIs. Teacher educators and trainers can harness the findings to prepare PSTs to conduct interactive and productive English language classes.

Carrie Mae Weems’ Intersectional Tropes: Engaging Black Feminism Within Arts Teacher Education

ABSTRACT In this article, we approach the visual tropes in Carrie Mae Weems’ bodies from an intersectional perspective through mobilising critical arts and black feminist studies for art pedagogies. A constant in Weems’ trajectory are the intersectional tropes that emerge in her artworks, which are collapsed with bodies, defying racial, gender, age, and social class stereotypes, stratification, and oppression. Aiming to engage black feminism with pedagogies, we revisit a critical art project that connects different spaces: the exhibition “Carrie Mae Weems: A Great Turn in the Possible”; and, a pre-service art teacher education course - “Childhoods: Inclusive narratives through art” - where narrative is a mode of decolonising pedagogy through contemporary art. First, we will examine the topics and strategies practised by five students’ micro-groups dealing with the critical and dialogical analysis of the intersectional tropes in Weems’ series. Second, we will reconstruct the process that has been conducted to transform and transfer that knowledge into educational spaces and resources designed to perform a feminist, intercultural, and social justice-oriented art education. Finally, the article discusses how critical pedagogy merges with critical arts to train future art educators while experimenting with a black feminist curriculum.

Relocating assessment in pre-service teacher education: an emerging model from activity theory lens

ABSTRACT This empirical study aims to understand the assessment pedagogies used to support pre-service teachers’ assessment development in the post-pandemic. The study involved sixty 4th year English language pre-service teachers, and data were collected from interviews, practicum observation notes, field visit notes, and reflection papers. The study aimed to identify research-based pedagogical constructs that effectively contributed to pre-service teachers’ learning and practice of assessment in the practicum. Using an activity theory lens, the study developed a model that could be used in pre-service teacher assessment education across different contexts. The paper concludes by suggesting research and practice-oriented implementations for pre-service teacher education based on the identified pedagogical constructs. Also, it has important implications for developing effective assessment education for pre-service teachers, which can contribute to better student learning outcomes in the future.

Peer technical support in preservice teacher education: A mixed methods social network analysis and phenomenological study to understand relative expertise

Peer technical support in preservice teacher education: A mixed methods social network analysis and phenomenological study to understand relative expertise

Examining artificial intelligence literacy among pre-service teachers for future classrooms

In the context of global integration and increasing reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, evaluating the AI literacy of pre-service teachers is crucial. As future architects of educational systems, pre-service teachers must not only possess pedagogical expertise but also a strong foundation in AI literacy. This quantitative study examines AI literacy among 529 pre-service teachers in a Nigerian university, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) for comprehensive analysis. The research explores various dimensions of AI literacy, revealing that a profound understanding of AI significantly predicts positive outcomes in AI use, detection, ethics, creation, and problem-solving. However, no correlation exists between AI knowledge and emotion regulation or the assumption that active AI use enhances AI detection capabilities. The study identifies a trade-off between AI application and creation, emphasizing the ethical considerations intertwined with emotional and persuasive facets of AI use. It also supports the link between AI creation and problem-solving, emphasizing the foundational role of AI knowledge in shaping diverse aspects of AI literacy among pre-service teachers. The findings offer valuable insights for educators, administrators, policymakers, and researchers aiming to enhance AI literacy in pre-service teacher education programs.

Developing Adaptive Planning Skills by Preservice Physical Education Teachers

Purpose: This study examined how physical education preservice teachers (PSTs) developed adaptive skills in the planning of the lessons in the 5 weeks of an introductory physical education method course using the practice-based teacher education framework. Method: Twenty-two PSTs edited three lesson plans over the 5 weeks. A total of 150 lesson plans were analyzed using descriptive statistics to explore (a) the total number of adaptations, (b) the total number of adaptations made to core practices, and (c) the types of adaptations. Findings: The PSTs made a wide-ranged number of adaptations from lesson plan one to three (one [median = 38.50, range 6–101]; two [median = 49.00, range 14–184]; three [median = 38.00, range 18–97]). They made adaptations most frequently in providing clear instruction and type two adaptations (refine). Conclusions: The results support the use of pedagogical approaches within the practice-based teacher education framework effective in developing PSTs’ adaptive competence in lesson plans.

예비유아교사의 인공지능 관련 실태와 인식 및 인공지능교육에 대한 요구

This study analyzed the reality and perception of pre-service early childhood teachers regarding artificial intelligence, and the demands for education. For this purpose, a survey was conducted on 145 students in the department of early childhood education at colleges in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, and the collected data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0. The research results are as follows. First, compared to their experience using artificial intelligence, pre-service early childhood teachers' level of interest and understanding of artificial intelligence was average, and they understood artificial intelligence as ‘a computer system that can think similar to humans.’ In addition, the negative perception of artificial intelligence was higher than the positive perception, and its influence on oneself was at an average level. Second, the need for artificial intelligence education for pre-service early childhood teachers was highly recognized. Additionally, with the goal of improving the ability to support play using artificial intelligence, the professional professors were requested to teach about future social changes and cases of artificial intelligence education through play. Based on the results of this study, implications for the development of artificial intelligence education subjects for pre-service early childhood teachers were discussed.

The role of pre-service physical education teachers in physical education – A bibliometric and systematic review

Pre-service physical education teachers (PSPTs) have long been an important area of specific development in physical education and have become a significant force in the field of physical education and research over the past two decades. However, exploratory research on pre-service teachers remains relatively scarce, and lack a comprehensive scientific exploration of the scope of their role. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive overview of pre-service physical education teacher education (PETE) from both a broad and specific perspective. Specifically, it includes the current state of PETE, the most influential authors, countries, journals, and literature, as well as specific research topics and future directions within PETE. Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a total of 340 articles were included, with 84 of them being empirical studies. The findings reveal that teacher training, diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, educational attitudes and beliefs, educational quality, educational methods and technology, career motivation, teaching models and strategies, and teacher assessment and reflection are major research themes. Visual analysis of the application of pre-service physical education teacher research highlights teacher training, diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, as well as instructional technology, as key areas of future focus. These insights contribute to the reasonable application of bibliometrics in the field of pre-service physical education teacher research.

Examining the influence of gender-responsive pedagogies on students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Tanzania: The case of Mafia, District

The relationship between gender-responsive pedagogy and student learning is seldom investigated. This study, therefore, examined the influence of gender-responsive pedagogies on students’ academic performance in Tanzanian secondary schools. The study employed a mixed methods research approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomena under investigation. A total of 249 participants engaged in surveys and interviews. The reliability of the instruments was assessed by using Cronbach’s Alpha. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models were used in analysing quantitative data. The findings revealed that most secondary school teachers possessed an understanding of gender-responsive pedagogies, particularly in adopting gender-sensitive language and considering the distinct needs of both male and female students in their teaching practices. Several practices significantly and positively influence students’ academic performance. These include teaching reinforcement (β=0.176, P=0.001), giving sufficient time for shy students to answer questions (β=0.163, P=0.001), encouraging mixed-gender groups (β=0.036, P=0.205), and providing equal opportunities for students to be group leaders (β=0.084, P=0.001). The study recommends that awareness creation through pre-service and in-service teacher education would facilitate teachers to become more proficient in using gender-responsive pedagogies.

One Health Education Nexus: enhancing synergy among science-, school-, and teacher education beyond academic silos.

The fact that the daily lives of billions of people were affected by the medical, social, and political aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic shows the need to anchor the understanding of One Health in society. Hence, promoting awareness and deepening the understanding of the interrelation between human health, animal health, and ecosystems must be accomplished through quality education, as advocated by UN Sustainable Development Goal 4. The often-questioned and discussed measures taken by governments to control the global pandemic between 2020 and 2023 can be seen as an opportunity to meet the educational needs of civil society solutions in multi-stakeholder settings between public, universities, and schools. This paper focuses on the integration of One Health principles in educational frameworks, particularly within the context of the higher education teaching framework "Teaching Clinic." This master-level course in the domain of pre-service teacher education serves as a potent vehicle for facilitating One Health Education, bridging the gap between research, higher education, and schools. Through the presentation of two case studies, this article demonstrates how the Teaching Clinic approach fosters interdisciplinary perspectives and provides a dynamic learning environment for pre-service teachers, as well as for pupils involved in the educational process. In both cases, the integration of educational One Health school teaching-learning settings effectively enhanced pupils' understanding of complex topics and engaged them in active learning experiences. Pre-service teachers played a crucial role in developing, implementing, and evaluating these interventions. In Case I, pupils demonstrated proficiency in analyzing data and evaluating mathematical models, while in Case II, the chosen instructional approach facilitated One Health knowledge acquisition and enjoyment among pupils. These results underscore the potential of the One Health Teaching Clinic as a valuable educational framework for enhancing teaching and learning outcomes for pre-service teachers and fostering pupil engagement in socio-scientific One Health-related topics. The discussion delves into the significance of breaking down disciplinary silos and the crucial role of teacher education in promoting a holistic approach to education, emphasizing the intersectionality of One Health Education and Education for Sustainable Development. This article underpins the significance of collaborative efforts across multiple (scientific) disciplines and across secondary and tertiary education levels to reach a nexus. Moreover, it emphasizes the alignment of this approach with the 2030 Agenda, Education for Sustainable Development, and Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the potential for collective action toward a more sustainable future.