Preservice Teacher Preparation Research Articles

A Classroom Intervention of Enhancing Namibian Preservice Science Teachers’ Conceptual Understanding of Properties of Waves Through Mnemonics

This quantitative classroom intervention study investigated the effectiveness of using mnemonics to enhance preservice teachers’ conceptual understanding of the topic of wave properties in physics. The study involved a sample of 30 final-year undergraduate preservice teachers enrolled in the Bachelor of Education Honours, Senior Primary with specializations in Natural Science and Health Education at Dorado Campus of The International University of Management in Namibia. The primary objective was to assess the impact of a targeted mnemonic-based instructional intervention on their ability to comprehend and apply key physics concepts related to wave properties. Initially, participants’ baseline understanding of these concepts was evaluated through pre-intervention assessments, which provided a measure of their existing knowledge. A structured mnemonic-based teaching intervention was then implemented over a specified period, designed to facilitate improved understanding of wave properties. Following the intervention, post-assessment evaluations were conducted to compare and measure changes in the participants’ conceptual understanding of the subject matter. This comparative analysis aimed to identify any significant improvements resulting from the mnemonic-based instruction. The findings indicated that there were notable improvements in the participants’ conceptual grasp of wave properties after the mnemonic-based intervention. Additionally, the study collected and analyzed participants’ feedback regarding the use of mnemonics, offering insights into their perceptions of the technique’s effectiveness as a pedagogical tool for learning complex scientific concepts. This research contributes to the broader field of physics concepts by providing evidence-based strategies to enhance the preparation of preservice teachers, particularly in physics education. Ultimately, the results of this study have the potential to inform and improve teaching practices, fostering more effective and engaging educational experiences in future science classrooms.

A Cosmopolitan Approach to Preparing Preservice Teachers for a Diverse World

This article considers the future of teacher education through researching the impact of encouraging cosmopolitan perspectives in an undergraduate children’s literature course for preservice teachers. The research question focuses on how preservice teachers respond to reading and dialoguing through a cosmopolitan lens. Reading literature through a cosmopolitan lens entails a reflexive consideration of personal convictions and a reflective openness to learning from the perspectives of others. The results of this study provide insights into how preservice teachers understood a cosmopolitan response. The results also highlight the need for further critical inquiry into how to invite greater reflexive consciousness and reflective openness to other perspectives in preparing teachers for a diverse society.

Interpreting, translating, and embedding school curriculum in physical education teacher education: the need for collective action within and across the teacher education continuum

ABSTRACT Olson, J. K. [1977. “Teacher Education and Curriculum Change: Reexamining the Relationship.” Curriculum Inquiry 7 (1): 61–66]. https://doi.org/10.1080/03626784.1977.11076205. argued how in the wave of curriculum development, the role of teachers, and therefore initial teacher education (ITE), had been neglected and as such, they provided a vision for a revised form of ITE. We contend that almost 50 years on, the ITE community is yet to fulfil this vision for ITE. We explore this argument through the recent wave of physical education curriculum policy development, particularly the introduction of Leaving Certificate Physical Education (LCPE), and the processes of interpretation, translation, and embedding curriculum into ITE. We were guided by the research question: How are physical education teacher educators embedding curriculum into their Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) programmes to best prepare pre-service teachers (PSTs) to teach such curriculum? Seventeen physical education teacher educators across three ITE institutes were interviewed on the processes of embedding LCPE into their respective programmes. Findings discuss the necessity for PETE programme reconfiguration, the (mis)alignment between PETE and current realities of PSTs, schools, and society, and highlight the need for advocacy and sharing across PETE. This paper advocates for teacher educators to be positioned as policy actors, pedagogical possibilities in PETE, and the need for different stakeholders to work (and learn) together.

Raising the (meta)pragmatic awareness of non-native pre-service teachers of L2 Italian with a telecollaborative data-driven learning project on formal email writing

This study aims to determine whether a data-driven learning approach in a telecollaborative setting can effectively aid in the preparation of non-native pre-service teachers (PSTs) of Italian concerning pragmatic aspects of the target language. The study outlines a 4-week telecollaboration module focusing on formal email writing, involving eight PSTs at an Austrian university paired with Italian students. The participants were asked to analyze specific parts of emails written by native and non-native speakers and plan a lesson. The data analyzed came from questionnaires as well as from materials produced during the module itself. Ten Italian university professors offered baseline data. Descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis were employed. The results indicate, on one hand, a small but significant improvement in the PSTs’ understanding of target pragmatic phenomena after the intervention. On the other hand, not all the teaching strategies suggested in the module were fully grasped for potential future use by the PSTs. However, there is some evidence of PSTs’ autonomy in investigating, analyzing, and reflecting on pragmatic issues, offering a promising approach to enhancing teacher training in pragmatics.

Inclusive education in Zimbabwe: An assessment of teachers' self‐efficacy and attitudes in Masvingo

AbstractSince the Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action in 1994, many countries have been advancing their education systems towards inclusive education. Zimbabwe, being one of the signatories to this framework, is one of the countries that have embraced the concept of inclusive education and has since been making strides towards its advancement albeit rather slowly. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine the self‐efficacy levels of Zimbabwean primary, secondary and high school teachers with inclusive education, as well as their attitudes towards the practice. To do this, 100 primary, secondary and high school teachers working in inclusive school settings in the Masvingo province were surveyed using a modified version of the Inclusion Competencies of Sri Lankan Teachers, (ICSLT) instrument. Findings of this study indicated that most of the participating teachers were in support of inclusive education despite not having the requisite preparation to implement it. Based on the findings, specific recommendations are provided for improving preservice teacher preparation and professional development for in‐service teachers in support of inclusive education.

The Relevance of Curriculum for Pre-Service Teachers in Addressing Dynamic Classroom Changes in South Africa

In South Africa, the educational landscape is characterised by constant evolution and dynamic classroom changes, driven by technological advancements, diverse student populations, and evolving pedagogical approaches. Pre-service teachers are crucial in navigating these changes and fostering effective learning environments. This systematic literature analysis explores the relevance of curriculum for pre-service teachers in addressing the challenges posed by dynamic classroom contexts in South Africa. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of existing literature, this study examines the alignment between pre-service teacher education curricula and the evolving needs of classrooms in South Africa. Key themes explored include integrating technology, cultural responsiveness, inclusive education practices, and pedagogical flexibility. The analysis also considers the efficacy of current pre-service teacher training programmes in preparing teachers to meet the diverse needs of students in dynamic classroom settings. Furthermore, the study investigates the perceptions and experiences of pre-service teachers regarding the adequacy of their curriculum in equipping them for the realities of South African classrooms. By synthesising findings from various sources, this research aims to inform curriculum development efforts and enhance the preparation of pre-service teachers for the multifaceted challenges of teaching in South African schools.

‘No One Is Left Behind?’: A Mixed-Methods Case Study of Equity and Inclusion in Physical Education Teacher Education

Equity and inclusion are requisites of high-quality Physical Education (PE). However, there is a substantial gap in understanding PE Teacher Education’s (PETE) effectiveness in preparing Preservice Teachers (PSTs) to implement equity-driven pedagogies. Moreover, focused on individual retrospective gameplay engagement rates (participation time), current research fails to provide a holistic perspective of the practical manifestations of equity and inclusion in PE. This study fills this void with novel insights offered by a mixed-methods case study examining the following: (i) the process-oriented teaching strategies employed by a PST trained to deliver inclusive pedagogies, alongside student voices on lived experiences; and (ii) the outcome-oriented gameplay patterns across two teaching units (Basketball and Volleyball). Participants included one PST and 26 students. Extensive observations and focus groups mapped the applied teaching strategies and student responses. Video-based social network analysis captured equity and inclusion in students’ gameplay patterns, using metrics such as degree prestige. Findings indicate the PETE impact in inducing PSTs’ inclusive manipulation of learning activities and the fostering of inclusive team membership and positive collaboration. SNA metrics evidenced equitable and inclusive gameplay patterns. Despite pedagogical efforts, content-specific factors may influence students’ gameplay inclusion. Hence, a reflection on the multifaceted and non-linear nature of promoting inclusive participation is prompted.

Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs) in the Preparation of Pre-service Mathematics Teachers

In recent times, teacher preparation programmes have faced significant challenges as many universities transitioned to fully online or hybrid instructional models as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. These sudden shifts drastically decreased classroom teaching opportunities, which was a cornerstone of teacher preparation programmes to help preservice teachers learn how to teach effectively. Therefore, considering the importance of visualizations in mathematics education for facilitating teaching, motivating students, and satisfying their desire to comprehend abstract mathematical concepts, this study investigates the barriers to utilizing, and the effective ways of integrating Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs) in the preparation of pre-service mathematics teachers. Underpinned by an interpretivist paradigm, the study employed a qualitative research approach and a case study design. Data were collected from twenty-five pre-service mathematics teachers, two mathematics teacher educators, and one department head. For this study, data collected were analysed using thematic analysis, and data trustworthiness was ensured through triangulation of the unit of analysis. Research findings revealed that the use of CVEs in teacher education programs is hampered by several factors, which include resistance to change, technological limits, costs and time constraints, assessment difficulties, equality and access issues, and a lack of training and support. Furthermore, the findings highlighted that for CVEs to be effective in teacher preparation programmes, mathematics educators should encourage the simulation of classroom scenarios, facilitate group discussions and cooperative learning and participate in virtual professional development opportunities.

Constructing the Clinical Preparation Field: Re-Envisioning the Role of Pre-Service Teacher Clinical Supervision

Given the difficulties that newly trained teachers currently encounter in entering the profession, it has become increasingly necessary to reexamine the nature of pre-service clinically-based teacher preparation. This paper focuses on the role of clinical supervisors in the context of the College–Field Partnership (CFP), an innovative program that reframes clinical preparation as going beyond a focus on classroom teaching to experiencing the school as a whole. The paper is based on “Self-in-Field” action research (SiFAR) involving eight experienced clinical supervisors who were leaders of teams of clinical supervisors in the CFP program. Through joint reflection on their professional practice, they came to see the clinical supervisor’s role as constructing a “clinical preparation field” that extends beyond the traditional “triad” of pre-service teacher, mentor teacher, and clinical supervisor. Constructing an expanded clinical preparation field involves building relationships among a wide variety of actors within the school and the academic preparation program as well as fostering learning and development for students and school staff alike. Two important implications of this new role for clinical supervisors were the need to become more skilled at (1) dealing with the emotional elements of school practice and (2) facilitating organizational learning processes in the school.

Research Experience through the Lens of Undergraduate Filipino Pre-Service Physical Educators: An Interpretative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study

The preparation of pre-service teachers, particularly in conducting research, is an important aspect of teacher training in the Philippine context, where challenges in various dimensions of the academic milieu exist. This interpretative hermeneutic phenomenological (IHP) study delved into the experiences of undergraduate Filipino pre-service physical educators (PSPEs) about the intricacies of research and thesis writing. The study aimed to unravel the lived experiences of these students throughout the research process to clarify how they make sense of these experiences. Conducted at a teacher education institution in Pampanga, the Philippines, 10 PSPEs who had completed their theses participated in the study. Employing a qualitative design, the IHP study used face-to-face in-depth interviews guided by a semi-structured interview protocol guide. Rigorous IHP analytical protocols were utilized to illustrate meanings from the data transcripts, while ensuring trustworthiness and rigor. The findings revealed that research, for the PSPEs, is not merely a technical pursuit but a combination of emotions requiring coordinated actions. For them, research demands fortitude and courage, accompanied by multiple challenges that, when overcome, lead to a fulfilling pursuit. The PSPEs view research as an investment for their future personal and professional undertakings. Considering these findings, a general recommendation is made for teacher education institutions to incorporate holistic support mechanisms that address the technical facets of research and the socio-emotional dimensions, especially for pre-service teachers, to ensure resilience and confidence as they pursue this challenging, yet rewarding, endeavor.

Learning disabilities in India: A closer look at pre-service teacher development practices

ABSTRACT This paper critically examines the centrally administered pre-service teacher preparation program for learning disabilities in India. With no equivalent Indian competency standards, this paper analyses components of the teacher preparation curriculum in the light of 22 high leverage practices (HLPs) outlined by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) as well as examines interview data from teacher educators to better understand challenges on the ground. Overall, the paper notes a heavy emphasis on theory over practice, with limited opportunities for practice. HLPs related to social-emotional and behavioral practices were minimally addressed in the curriculum. Finally, although the program was dedicated to serving children with learning disabilities, prospective teachers tended to get placed in inclusive settings and were required to work with students with a range of disabilities, highlighting the need for a program with a wider range of disabilities, not only learning disabilities. Implications for school and educational psychologists are discussed.

Mixed-Reality Simulation to Prepare Preservice Teachers to Use Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies: A Pilot Study

By 2031, culturally and linguistically diverse students will represent approximately 55% of students enrolled in United States public schools (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2023). Despite increased ethnic diversity among students, most teachers are White. Consequently, many new teachers report feeling ill-equipped to implement culturally responsive teaching strategies to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. To prepare culturally responsive preservice teachers, teacher preparation programs can embed technologies such as mixed-reality simulation paired with explicit instruction and performance feedback to support the preservice teachers’ implementation of culturally responsive teaching strategies. This mixed methods (convergent parallel design) pilot study evaluated how using mixed-reality simulation, explicit teaching, and performance feedback impacts preservice teachers’ knowledge of culturally responsive teaching strategies and self-efficacy. Results indicated that participants increased their knowledge, implementation, and self-efficacy. We discuss the findings and limitations and offer recommendations to improve mixed-reality simulation within teacher preparation programs and recommendations for future research.

Implementation of Inclusive Education Framework in Preservice Teacher Preparation Programs

The study was motivated by the global pursuit of educational equity and equality, and the unique challenges of implementing inclusive education in China, a country with a profound educational legacy and rapid modernization. The study aimed to address the research gap of evaluating the adaptability and effectiveness of the current teacher training framework within the Chinese context, offering guidance and references for educational reforms.The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of the inclusive education framework in pre-service teacher training programs in China, and to answer seven research questions related to the profile, perception, and assessment of pre-service teachers.The study employed a descriptive quantitative research method and adopted a descriptive correlational research design. The study concluded that the pre-service teachers had a moderate level of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs about inclusive education, and that their training and preparation needed to be improved and tailored to the Chinese context. The study also recommended some innovative measures to enhance the effectiveness and implementation of the inclusive education framework in pre-service teacher training programs.

Education for sustainable development in primary school: Understanding, importance, and implementation

There is no doubt that education for sustainable development (ESD) is important because it covers all areas: social, emotional, intellectual, physical, moral, etc. ESD helps people acquire the skills, knowledge, and values necessary for a successful life and a constructive contribution to society. If earlier early ESD was not at the centre of attention, recently it has become increasingly clear that early education has great potential for fostering values, behaviours, and skills that contribute to sustainable development. Despite this, ESD remains problematic due to the inadequate preparation of pre-service primary teachers in this area. It is obvious that ESD implementation in primary education is still poorly integrated.<br /> Empirical qualitative research aimed to reveal how pre-service primary school teachers understand ESD in primary school. Generally, 86 students from two Lithuanian universities, pre-service teachers of preschool and primary education, took part in the research. Verbal research data were analysed using the quantitative content analysis method.<br /> The results suggest that although ESD in early childhood is understood as significant and reasonable, however, the understanding of pre-service teachers is rather one-sided. ESD is understood as social welfare, while the natural and physical environment is the least expressed in their understanding structure. Meanwhile, the implementation of ESD is understood as a normal educational process, applying known techniques and methods. It is necessary to strive for the young generation to be characterised by responsibility, a sense of community, conservation, and citizenship, to understand the harmony of the surrounding world and their activities. For that purpose, changes in the education are needed to integrate the necessary ESD elements, including both managerial and educational processes.

Reimagining a framework for parent involvement in South Africa: Preparing preservice teachers

Reimagining a framework for parent involvement in South Africa: Preparing preservice teachers

The influence of online education on pre-service teachers’ academic experiences at a higher education institution in the United Arab Emirates

Online education has gained widespread adoption in recent years due to several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the growth of online education, with universities transitioning to online platforms to continue their activities. However, this transition has also impacted the preparation of pre-service teachers, who receive training to become licensed or certified teachers. This study investigates the influence of online education on the academic experiences of 130 pre-service teachers attending the Postgraduate Diploma Program at Al Ain University in the UAE. It also explores the relationships between pre-service teachers’ demographics and five academic experiences. A quantitative questionnaire consisting of five newly-developed scales was used for data collection. Pre-service teachers’ demographics were found not to impact effective teaching and learning, skill development, or satisfaction. Age and employment status were found not to influence pre-service teachers’ views of faculty online assessment and feedback or course organization and management. However, online course organization and management and faculty online assessment and feedback were significantly correlated with marital status as engagement and motivation with employment status was, but not with age or marital status. Effective teaching and learning, faculty assessment, and feedback positively impacted pre-service teachers’ engagement and motivation, while effective teaching and learning and course organization correlated with pre-service teachers’ skill development and satisfaction. Research on online education and pre-service teachers’ experiences post-pandemic is limited. Thus, future studies should explore this relationship to understand better pre-service teachers’ online learning experiences, involvement, and success.

Preservice Elementary Teachers and Future Civic Teaching

In order to strengthen civic education in elementary schools, research is needed to understand preservice teachers’ ideas about civic teaching. The current study examined the degree to which elementary preservice teachers’ civic competencies (i.e., civic awareness, dispositions, and interpersonal skills) and the grades they plan to teach are associated with expected future civic teaching. Survey data were collected from 235 undergraduate students majoring in early childhood or elementary education. Results from hierarchical multiple regression showed that greater civic awareness and lower levels of trust in the American promise were associated with expected future teaching about politics, while greater civic awareness, stronger commitment to social issues, and better interpersonal skills were associated with expected future teaching about community engagement. Additionally, those who plan to teach the upper elementary grades (third–fifth) were more likely to report that they will teach about politics and community engagement in their future classrooms when compared to those who plan to teach younger grades (PreK–second). Practical implications for preservice teacher preparation are discussed.

Signature pedagogies of teacher education in physical education: a scoping review

ABSTRACT Introduction and purpose There is a need for contemporary studies which establish a shared language to further analyze and develop pedagogies in the field of teacher education in physical education (PE). This includes both initial teacher education (PE-ITE) and continuous professional development (PE-CPD), holding the responsibility for preparing pre-service teachers (PSTs) and teacher educators, as well as facilitating the ongoing professional learning of in-service teachers (ISTs) and teacher educators. This study entails a comprehensive scoping review covering the period from 2015 to 2023, encompassing studies within the broad field of teacher education in PE across international contexts, all examined through the perspective of Shulman’s, L. S. (2005. “Signature Pedagogies in the Professions.” Daedalus 134 (3): 52–59) concept of signature pedagogies. The purpose was two-fold: (1): to map the current literature on teacher education in PE (including PE-ITE and PE-CPD for both ISTs and teacher educators), and (2) to propose a preliminary shared language of signature pedagogies of teacher education in PE. Theoretical lens Signature pedagogies refer to the forms of teaching-learning that leap to mind when thinking about the preparation and ongoing learning and development of teachers (i.e. pre-service teachers, in-service teachers and teacher educators; Shulman, L. S. 2005. “Signature Pedagogies in the Professions.” Daedalus 134 (3): 52–59). Signature pedagogies are both pervasive and routine, cutting across topics and courses, programs, and institutions, and are described through three layers of structure – the surface, deep, and implicit. Method The research process was guided by a five-stage framework for conducting a scoping review. In line with the specific purposes articulated above, the research question guiding the review was: What is known from the literature on signature pedagogies of teacher education in PE? The search was restricted to articles published between 2015–2023. Both empirical and conceptual articles (i.e. those with data collection and those without) were included, provided the inclusion criteria were met. A total of 465 articles were included in the review, and the pedagogies identified from each article were co-constructed into themes/categories. Findings and discussion Three signature pedagogies of teacher education in PE across international contexts are identified and presented in terms of their surface, deep and implicit structure, including: (auto)biographical pedagogies, experiential pedagogies, and pedagogies of professional learning. Subsequently, we explore the similarities and differences between each of the three groups of pedagogies and what makes a pedagogy of teacher education in PE distinct from a pedagogy of teacher education more broadly. Conclusion and further research This study offers a preliminary shared language of teacher education pedagogies in the field of PE and is intended to open a dialogue around preparing and supporting pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and teacher educators in the context of PE. While this review represents an initial step in addressing a gap in the literature by exploring and articulating teacher education pedagogies in PE, there remains a need to analyse their use across teacher education contexts and to consider how this shared language might inform a more intentional practice of these pedagogies within and across teacher education contexts in ways that might ensure more authentic, transformative and equitable teacher education practices in PE.

Professional Development in Computational Thinking: A Systematic Literature Review

This paper presents a systematic literature review of professional development programs in computational thinking (CT). CT has emerged as an essential set of skills that everyone should develop to participate in a global society. However, there were no pre-service or in-service teacher programs to integrate CT into the K–12 classrooms until very recently. Thus, it is important to identify how educators and researchers address the challenges to prepare the next generation of students and what gaps persist in the current literature. We review existing work in this field from two perspectives: First, we analyze the learning outcomes, assessment methods, pedagogical approaches, and pedagogical tools used in the professional development programs in CT. Second, we examine how these programs assess the teachers’ knowledge and skills as outcomes. We used the technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) framework to characterize existing literature and identify possible gaps in the preparation of pre-service and in-service teachers in CT. Our results suggest that (1) existing evidence is limited to developed countries; (2) many studies are only focusing on teachers understanding the concepts but do not explore how the participants evaluate or create learning activities; (3) no studies look into classroom observations as part of the program, which limits our understanding to how these programs work; and (4) most programs use block-based programming languages as the tool to develop student CT. While block-based programming languages are used for introductory training programs, students are often expected to transfer their learning to more professional programming languages.

Promoting Theory and Practice: A Year-Long Residency Program to Better Prepare Future Educators

A challenge frequently voiced in the field of teacher preparation is the divide between theory and practice. Specifically, university coursework is often viewed as “the theory,” with classroom teaching experiences in PreK-12 settings being considered “the practice.” One Teacher Preparation Program re-designed their program to address this divide and better prepare pre-service teachers (PSTs) for their futures as educators. To do this, the re-designed program included more authentic classroom experiences through the implementation of a year-long residency model and the creation of a residency-specific course. This article details how an English methods course and residency course were designed to support PSTs as they made connections to their residency experiences. In this way, PSTs majoring in secondary English Language Arts (ELA) education were immersed within middle and secondary ELA classrooms as residents, while simultaneously engaging in rigorous university coursework, which sought to promote educational theory and practice. Specific instructional approaches and assignments are shared, along with reflections on what was learned.