Primary Teacher Education Program Research Articles

Trajectories of Curriculum Change in Initial Primary Teacher Education in Zambia

This chapter reviews trends in primary teacher education for the last five decades in Zambia. Since independence, Zambia has undertaken the following curriculum reforms in primary teacher education; the Zambia Primary Course(ZPC), The Zambia Basic Education Course(ZBEC), The Field Based Teacher Training Approach(FIBATTA) which was discontinued hardly three months of trial, The Zambia Teacher Education Reform Programme(ZATERP) piloted in three colleges of education, The Zambia Teacher Education Course(ZATEC-one year college based and one year school-based);the Zambia Teacher Education Course(ZATEC-two year residential course) and the current three year Diploma Primary Teacher Education Programme. The Ministry of Education upgraded all primary colleges of education to Diploma status and affiliated them to the University of Zambia. For a couple of years, the Ministry of Education back peddled and attached all Colleges of Education to the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ), a decision that was roundly condemned as a departure from the SADC protocol on education. Meanwhile, Colleges of Education which were under ECZ have now reverted to the University of Zambia with respect to quality assurance and programme supervision.

Who are the music student teachers in Norwegian generalist teacher education? A cross-sectional survey

This study is based on data from a national survey of generalist student teachers specialising in music in the new five-year primary and lower secondary school teacher education programme in Norway. The study aims to map students’ backgrounds, experiences of the educational programme and visions for their future practice as generalist music teachers in schools. The theoretical perspective is cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT). The findings suggest that generalist teacher education music programmes reproduce patterns of inequality. These patterns should be addressed in the future development of the programmes; however, the current lack of diversity may inhibit conditions for transformation and change.

The impact of teacher preparation on preservice teachers' attitudes toward inclusive education in Qatar

Teachers' beliefs and attitudes are a significant component in the development and success of inclusive education. Research indicates that the foundation of positive attitudes toward inclusive education can be established in preservice-teacher-preparation programs. This study examines the change in preservice teachers' attitudes toward inclusive education following an inclusion-centered course, combined with an 18-hr practicum. Using the Multidimensional Attitudes toward Inclusive Education Scale (MATIES), 98 preservice teachers from primary and secondary teacher education programs in the College of Education at Qatar University in Doha, Qatar, were surveyed pre and post-course. It was found that all the participants' attitudes toward inclusive education changed significantly. No significant differences between primary and secondary preservice teachers were found at the end of the course. The results illustrated that combining information-based instruction with structured fieldwork experiences can potentially change preservice teachers' attitudes toward inclusive education. Implications for practice and future directions in research are considered.

The Comparison of Turkish and Chinese Primary Math Teacher Education Programs

The aim of this study is to compare Turkey and China in terms of admission to primary math teacher education programs, the content of primary math teacher training programs and appointment to teaching post. Within the scope of this aim, document analysis method was used in the study. As data sources the websites of Ministry of Education, OECD, National Center on Education and Economy and articles on primary Mathematics teacher education systems and teacher education systems in general were used. The documents were examined in terms of conditions of admission to teacher education programs, the content of curriculum and the appointment to teaching post in Turkey and China. While choosing the countries, 2018 PISA Math results of China and Turkey were considered. According to the findings of the study it was concluded that although Turkey and China have some similarities in terms of conditions of admission to teacher education programs, the content of curriculum and the appointment to teaching post, there are also big differences between two countries. Accordingly, some suggestions are proposed especially for the Turkish teacher education system. Some of the suggestions are increasing the hours of practicum, having an interview before they are accepted to education programs, having an interview and a written exam in every five years after they are appointed to a teaching post.

Music lecturers’ professional development through distant coteaching between two universities in Finland

At present, the idea of teacher professional development is widely highlighted in education. The present qualitative study examines whether coteaching in collaboration between music lecturers at two universities could enable their professional development and improve student learning. Our study consisted of piano courses in two independent primary school teacher education programs. In this conceptual work, it appears that the definitions of coteaching also allow a distant collaborative professional development of the two music lecturers. The main challenges were identified as access to a shared physical space and a common group of students, which could be diminished using digitalization.

Gender in initial teacher education: entry patterns, intersectionality and a dialectic rationale for diverse masculinities in schooling

ABSTRACT This paper contributes to debates about gender and diversity in teaching. Exploring the underrepresentation of males, socially constructed as a privileged group, is a complex task for researchers working within a social justice framework. Drawing on a national dataset (N = 5,627), we explore entry patterns to primary and post-primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, socio-demographic backgrounds and career motivations of male and female ITE applicants and entrants in Ireland. Findings point to possible reasons for the underrepresentation of males in primary teaching, including competitive performance-based selection systems, Irish language competency requirements and a predominantly denominational school system. An intersectional analysis demonstrates the diversity which exists among male ITE applicants. New insights into the complexities of male positionalities in teaching can enhance dialectic debates about reasons for and implications of the underrepresentation of male teachers as well as the transformative potential of diverse and ‘caring’ masculinities for schools and society.

The Pedagogical Knowledge Deployed by a Primary Mathematics Teacher Educator in Teaching Symmetry

Although the knowledge required by mathematics teacher educators is a relatively recent area of research, there has been significant progress in the field over the last few years. The classic distinction of a teacher’s knowledge into content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge prompts us to reflect in this regard on what should constitute the content of primary teacher education programmes, and how the educator might mediate this content to make it accessible to their prospective teachers. This paper aims to contribute to this progress through a study into the work of Lucas, a teacher educator, during the course of a training session with prospective primary teachers. Critical observation of the video recording brought to the fore salient teaching situations on the topic of symmetry, which led us to explore the pedagogical content knowledge deployed in the session through a guided interview with the educator. Analysis of extracts from this interview enabled us to identify three main categories of this PCK: knowledge about how to teach programme content; knowledge about the characteristics of prospective primary teachers’ learning; and knowledge about the standards and norms of primary teacher education programmes.

The Relevance of Current Ethiopian Primary School Teacher Education Program for Pre-service Mathematics Teacher’s Knowledge and Teacher Educator’s Awareness about Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching

The major objective of this study was to examine the effect of Ethiopian pre-service primary school teacher education program to mathematics teacher’s knowledge and assess teacher educator’s awareness about Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching. The study employed quantitative and qualitative research approaches. It was also used survey and narration research design. The population of this study were all third-year pre-service teacher classes in generalist, specialist and linear modality classes in three sampled colleges of teacher education such as: Kotebe Metropolitan University, Hawassa College of teacher education and Arba Minch college of teacher education. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The result showed that program type has no effect on the mean scores between specialist and linear students in Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching scale. Significant difference was not observed in mean score of Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching test against gender. The findings also showed that teacher educators have no enough knowledge/awareness about the term Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching and its components. Thus, the study suggested that successive training should be organized to train teacher educators about Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching and mathematics pedagogies and recent mathematics education theories in general.

Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ Issues in Primary Initial Teacher Education Programs

Existing research has explored inclusion in education, however, issues related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ young people, with some notable exceptions, have, until recently, seldom been included in any meaningful academic discussion. Issues of youth race, gender and sexuality have been interrogated as discrete issues. This small but growing body of research demonstrates the potential impacts of intersectional disadvantages experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ young people in Australia (Uink, Liddelow-Hunt, Daglas, & Ducasse, 2020). This article seeks to explore the existing research and advocate for the embedding of a critical pedagogy of care in primary Initial Teacher Education (ITE) curricula, inclusive of diversity of race, ethnicity, socio-economic-status, gender and sexuality. Employing intersectionality theory, this research will examine the specific disadvantages that arise as the result of occupying multiple minority demographic categories, which are relational, complex and shifting, rather than fixed and independent. Primary educators are well positioned to name disadvantage, racism and heterosexism, make them visible and, through culturally responsive pedagogical approaches and inclusive curricula, challenge the status quo. To ensure that learning and teaching moves beyond stereotypes, primary curricula should be representative of all students and present alternate ways of being human in culturally appropriate, positive ways, to the benefit of all students. ITE programs provide the ideal arena to equip teachers with the knowledge and competency to respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQ+ young people.

Exploring Pre-Service Teachers’ Emotional Competence and Motivation for the Choice of a Teaching Career

The literature recognises the importance of teachers’ emotional competence for various aspects of the teaching profession, as well as the importance of attracting motivated and quality prospective teachers and retaining them in the profession. However, studies relating to the motivation to teach and some personal characteristics of prospective teachers are still relatively scarce. Therefore, this study aimed at contributing to this field of research by exploring the association between prospective teachers’ emotional competence and their motivation for the choice of a teaching career as proposed by the Factors Influencing Teaching (FIT)-Choice model. This study used a quantitative methodological approach. Prospective teachers who were enrolled in a primary school initial teacher education programme (N=423) participated in this study. The data were analysed using cluster analysis and multivariate analysis of variance. The results obtained revealed that the importance of almost all motives for the decision to pursue a teaching career, and the perception of demandingness of the teaching profession are rated higher by pre-service teachers with higher emotional competence. Finally, pre-service teachers with higher emotional competence also expressed a higher level of satisfaction with their career choice compared to those with a moderate level of emotional competence.

Supporting reflection and reflective practice in an initial teacher education programme: an exploratory study

ABSTRACT The importance of promoting reflection and reflective practice in teacher education programmes is widely acknowledged. This exploratory study describes how a revised B. Ed initial primary teacher education programme created a renewed focus on reflection and reflective practice to support students in becoming reflective practitioners The work on developing the new programme was a collaborative effort of staff, both at the planning and implementation stages. This paper reports on an evaluation of Year 1 of the B.Ed programme in which 440 undergraduate students and 24 staff were involved. The results were mainly positive, indicating that the changes in the programme have been largely successful in their goals. However, the results also show that further work needs to be done in this area with more in-depth research and analysis of the ongoing work being needed.

USING ANIMATED VIDEO BASED ON SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO IMPROVE STUDENTS HIGHER ORDER THINKING SKILL

This research is motivated by the desire to make a change to conventional and monotonous ways of learning by providing variations in science learning for students, where so far learning has been fixated on old media that are not relevant to the demands of innovation in education namely skill-based learning in the 21st century and the industrial revolution 4.0. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the use of video animation based on a scientific approach to the high-level thinking skills of students. The sample in this study were students majoring in Primary teacher education programs in science education, which were determined by cluster random sampling techniques. The study used an experimental methodology with a pretest-posttest control design. (3) T-test results from the results of the analysis of high-level thinking skills scores of students showed a significance value of 0.002 <0.05, proving that the final ability of the experimental class group was significantly higher than the control class. This indicates that the use of scientific animated video approaches influences students' high-level thinking skills.

Teacher educators’ conceptions of modeling: A phenomenographic study

This paper reports phenomenographic research focused on studying the conceptions of modeling held by teacher educators. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face with twenty-four teacher educators working in three Chilean primary school teacher education programs. The analysis identified four categories of description, ranging from modeling as teaching pedagogical activities to modeling as developing teaching linked to the school classroom. Besides, four dimensions of variation were found, providing a more accurate picture of this teaching practice. We recommend continuing the study on this topic for improving the teaching practices enacted by teacher educators.

Pedagogic Discourses in the Swedish Primary Teacher Education Programme From a Subject Perspective

ABSTRACT This study directs attention to the ways in which pre-service teachers’ knowledge base are constructed in and through the examination practice in the various subjects of the Primary teacher education programme in Sweden. The empirical material consists of policy material (course plans, study guides and examination tasks). The results show differences between the pedagogic discourses, in the various subjects, concerning examination forms, what is examined in terms of content, and which generic competencies are given importance in and through the examinations. Finally, the result shows that pedagogic discourse primarily shape the primary teacher students into a horizontal discourse, which can make it difficult for them to handle complex teaching situations in their future professional lives.

Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning dalam Pembelajaran Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Mahasiswa

This study aims to determine the implementation of model learning problem based learning in citizenship education of national integrity material to students critical thinking ability. This research uses a quantitative approach. Sample determination using random sampling clusters. This study was imposed on students of the second semester of primary school teacher Education Program, Nusa Cendana University. The selected sample is Class II A as an experimental class of 24 students and class II B as a control class as many as 25 students. The instrument used in the form of observation guidelines and a test is about the description to measure the student's critical thinking ability. Data obtained in the form of pretests and posttest values. The Data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 to see test normality and test homogeneity as prerequisite test then continued with Test T. Results obtained from the test of normality (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test) is the value of Sig 0138 (> 0.05) which shows the sample data derived from the population of normal and homogeneity test (test Levene) is 0322 (> 0.05) which shows the value of Posttest uniform and the significance value of T-Test 0.000 (< 0.05 Learning problem based learning on the ability of critical thinking.

IDENTIFYING PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ INITIAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE CONCEPT CARTOONS IN THE SCHOOL CORRIDORS AND INFORMAL PHYSICS LEARNING

Since concept cartoons give an important opportunity for students to achieve informal physics learning, the current research focused on pre-service teachers’ initial impressions of the concept cartoons in the school corridors and informal physics learning. The aim of the research was to determine pre-service teachers’ initial impressions of the concept cartoons in the school corridors and informal physics learning via the concept cartoons. After a 14-week intervention, a questionnaire with seven open-ended questions was administered to 542 pre-service teachers from primary, mathematics and science teacher education programmes. Their responses to the questionnaire were exposed to qualitative content analysis via two categories (advanced and poor impression). The results showed that pre-service teachers generally refered to advanced impressions of the concept cartoons. In light of the results, it can be deduced that the concept cartoons have enhanced their initial impressions of informal physics/science learning via the concept cartoons. The current research recommends that pre-service teachers should be encouraged to produce their own concept cartoons on the topic(s) they found difficult. Keywords: concept cartoon, informal learning, initial impression, science education.

Building Professional Competencies Through a Service Learning ‘Gallery Walk’ in Primary School Teacher Education

This article reports on a service learning project in a South African primary school teacher education programme, as experiential and practice-based pedagogy in a social studies methods course. We aimed to broaden understanding of service learning as a form of non-placement work-integrated learning for the development of teacher professional competencies. Student teachers drew on topics in the middle school social studies curriculum and incorporated Indigenous geographical elements with local community history in the design of a service learning ‘gallery walk’ for Grade 5 learners. Using a generic qualitative design, data were generated from students’ and teachers’ reflective journals, lesson plans, photographs and video recordings. It was analysed for common content themes and prominent discourse markers of students’ developing professional knowledge and competencies. The findings provide evidence of deepened student learning, particularly on the influence of context and curriculum differentiation and how their struggles with group work enabled the development of collaboration and co-operation required by professionals. In addition, the service learning prompted changing notions of citizenship and reciprocity of learning.

Analysis of Understanding The Use of Javanese Language "Krama Inggil" of Preservice Teachers in Primary Teacher Education Programs

&lt;em&gt;This study aims to analyze the understanding the use of Javanese language "krama inggil" of preservice teachers in primary teacher education programs. This research is a descriptive study of 84 research subjects. The instruments used were description test sheets, questionnaire sheets, and interview sheets. The data analysis technique uses descriptive qualitative. The results of the analysis show that: 1) The average value of understanding the use of Javanese language "krama inggil" was 78; 2) students who are able to communicate using good manners and apply in daily life as much as 38.61%; 3) Some of the difficulties factors of students using Javanese language "krama inggil" include not being accustomed from childhood, parents do not teach Javanese language "krama inggil", preferring to use Indonesian, lacking the motivation to use Javanese language "krama inggil" because it is difficult to pronounce.&lt;/em&gt;

Analysis of the Use of Learning Media Through the Peer Tutor Toward Creative Thinking Skills and Interpersonal Communication of Preservice Teachers in Primary Teacher Education Programs

&lt;em&gt;This study aims to analyze the use of instructional media through peer tutor on creative thinking skills and interpersonal communication of preservice teachers in primary teacher education Programs on earth material. This research is a quantitative study with a student research population for 2018/2019 academic year. The sampling technique is done by using saturated sampling technique that is the entire population is used as a research sample. The instruments used were observation sheets, questionnaire sheets, test sheets, and interview sheets. Data analysis techniques using the Mann Withney-U test. The analysis showed that: 1) there was an influence of learning media through peer tutor on creative thinking skills and interpersonal communication on earth material; 2) creative thinking skills and interpersonal abilities in the experimental class are better than the control class; 3) The aspect of fluency in creative thinking skills shows the highest score while the originality aspect shows the lowest score.&lt;/em&gt;

Not All Finns Think Alike: Varying Views of Assessment in Finland

Finnish students have been among the world’s strongest performers on standardized assessments throughout the past decade. Consequently, educators and scholars are interested in how to explain such results. A common explanation, as seen on social media, is that Finnish educators do not regularly assess their students. This study explores educators’ views on assessment practices in Finnish education. First, the literature on assessment practices in Finland is reviewed. Then, using narrative inquiry as a research method, Finnish educators’ views on assessment practices are examined. The research participants were two professors, two novice teachers, and two pre-service teachers, all connected to the same prominent university-based primary teacher education program in Finland. The narratives of the six participants in connection with assessment in Finland’s education system highlight the variance in opinions about international standardized assessments as well as assessment practices at the classroom and school levels. Further, participants’ narratives reveal the influence students’ socioeconomic status may have on teachers’ assessment practices.