Undergraduate Pre-service Teachers Research Articles

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

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

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.

Teaching Sustainability in Science Education: Pre-Service Science Teachers’ Perceptions of the Role of Indigenous Knowledge

Encouraging sustainability in science education demands a collaborative approach, involving the integration of diverse knowledge systems, including indigenous and formal scientific knowledge. Nevertheless, educators’ perceptions of these knowledge systems are crucial factors to consider. This study investigated the perceptions of pre-service science teachers about the role of indigenous knowledge in promoting sustainability science education. The study was conducted at the Department of Integrated Science Education University of Education Winneba, Ghana and predominantly adopted a qualitative approach. A sample size of 54 Level 300 undergraduate pre-service science teachers were purposively chosen. These pre-service teachers have engaged with the science curriculum and syllabus through on-campus peer teaching and are prepared to take their internships in the country’s various second-cycle institutions. Emphasis is laid on the teaching of science to promote education for sustainable development in these institutions. Data were collected through an online questionnaire comprising open- and closed-ended items. The closed-ended items were quantified and analysed for clearer inference whereas thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data. The findings of the study established pre-service teachers’ affirmation of the potential of indigenous knowledge in providing education for sustainability if integrated into the teaching of science. The study recommended targeted interventions including the integration of indigenous knowledge into pre-service science teachers’ curriculum, training programmes, workshops, courses and campaigns aimed at increasing awareness, fostering positive attitudes, and promoting understanding and appreciation of indigenous knowledge and its role in sustainability.

Bridging the gap in early career teachers' STEM pedagogy: Exploring micro‐credentials as a possible creative solution

AbstractThis exploratory study sought to address the gap in strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teacher preparation in elementary and secondary teacher education programs. Integrated STEM education is attracting increased attention and gaining momentum from educators, politicians, STEM industries, and the media across the nation. Many state and national organizations have called for a new workforce of problem solvers, innovators, and inventors who are self‐reliant and able to think logically, also suggesting that creating such capacity is one of the critical foundations that drive innovative capacity in the nation. A key to developing these skills is STEM competencies and career goals in every K‐12 student. To do this, teachers must be educated on how to connect STEM careers and integrate STEM content into their curriculum. Providing integrated STEM micro‐credentials for preservice and in‐service teachers can be a flexible solution for providing teachers a method to learn how to improve their content knowledge and pedagogy (Digital Promise, 2019). Participants were a combination of undergraduate preservice teachers and graduate early‐career teachers who were asked about their STEM preparation. The majority of the participants received very little to no integrated STEM preparation. As a possible solution for this, participants were asked about their preferred type of professional development (PD) and if participating in a micro‐credential course would be a possibility. Nearly all of the participants agreed that a self‐paced micro‐credential that blended online and in‐person instruction would be something they would do to learn how to integrate STEM more effectively into their pedagogy. Micro‐credentials could be a successful solution for educator PD.

Teacher cognition about intercultural communicative competence (ICC): a comparative study of English-major and German-major pre-service teachers in China

This study explored teacher cognition concerning intercultural communicative competence (ICC) among pre-service English and German teachers in China, a context influenced by a rising demand for English as a lingua franca and the increasing significance of the German language due to the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. Data were gathered from undergraduate pre-service teachers of English (EnS) (n = 54) and German (GeS) (n = 89) using a questionnaire at a Chinese university. The findings revealed that: (1) EnS emphasised ICC-oriented knowledge, attitudes, and critical cultural awareness in their provided definitions of ICC, whereas GeS focused on German proficiency and target ­culture-oriented knowledge; (2) EnS’ length of studying English, abroad experience, and prior teaching experience exhibited varying correlations with their ICC beliefs, whereas only grade level and abroad experience were significantly related to GeS’ cognition about ICC. This study contributes to the broader discourse on teachers teaching different languages and their perceptions of ICC amidst the global landscape shaped by the coexistence of multiple languages and cultures. It concludes by calling for further research examining teacher cognition and influential factors across diverse languages and educational contexts in the realm of ICC.

15 to 5 weeks: Right-Sizing an Undergraduate Educational Technology Course

This design case describes the thought processes associated with redesigning an educational technology course for undergraduate preservice teachers from a 15-week hybrid course to a 5-week online course. The redesign is part of a push to create more flexible courses for working and rural students to remain competitive despite multiple alternative licensure paths now available to aspiring teachers. The designers face and overcome challenges regarding right-sizing the course content and assignments while maintaining student engagement. Additionally, the designers discuss how they streamlined the course without sacrificing standards or critical and relevant topics, like AI in education. The case details the development of the online course within the learning management system (LMS; Google Classroom) and the design questions that emerge during that process. The redesigned 5-week course was tested through two iterations in the 2023 summer semester: Summer 1 and Summer 2. The designers collected student feedback after both runs of the course using the standard course evaluation survey, their own Google Forms survey, and the instructor’s reflections. The feedback from Summer 1 informed the Summer 2 iteration. Finally, the designers observed that the experience of condensing the course from 15 weeks to 5 weeks required them to think critically about the course goals and how to make the content manageable for students. The redesign was so successful that the course instructor (also a design case author) determined to redesign the 15-week version of the course for Fall 2023 using the new 5-week design as an anchoring point.

Student attitudes towards smartphone use in a pre-service teacher tech course

In contemporary classrooms, characterized by students who are digital natives with a firm reliance on mobile phones, integrating these devices into educational activities presents an opportunity to enhance learning experiences and increase engagement. This qualitative case study investigates undergraduate pre-service teachers’ perceptions of using smartphones for learning activities in a Teacher Education Program (T.E.P.) technology course at a 4-year institution in the U.S. The researchers sought to examine how the use of smartphones influenced the students’ learning experiences. Understanding students' experiences can inform the development of strategies to enhance technology-integrated lessons and foster improved learning environments. The findings indicated that students had positive experiences with using smartphones in class. They found the devices to help enhance online learning security and were reliable, versatile, and affordable compared to other forms of technology. The ability of the devices to download and accommodate a variety of educational materials was also a valuable attribute for the students. However, challenges associated with unrestricted phone access in the classroom, including the risk of addiction, distraction, decreased engagement, and concerns regarding academic integrity, were reported. As smartphones become integral to our learning environment, educators should establish policies promoting responsible usage to optimize students' learning potential rather than imposing bans. The researchers propose that institutions invest in innovative software solutions to manage smartphone usage proactively. This approach enables students to enhance their focus and productivity during crucial learning moments while mitigating distractions posed by mobile phones.

Explicit Incorporation of the Nature of Science (NOS) in an Undergraduate Preservice Teacher Science Content Course: Action Research

This study aimed to address the gap in an environmental science undergraduate course by investigating the impact of explicitly integrating the Nature of Science (NOS) into the instruction of scientific inquiry. The lab-based course focused on developing an understanding of the natural world, as well as the processes scientists use to study that world. Through action research, data collection methods included the Views of Nature of Science Questionnaire (VNOS-B) and analysis of students' reflections on assignments and open inquiry projects for 37 students. Pre- and post-questionnaires were analyzed using NVIvo12, categorizing responses into five levels of NOS understanding thematically. Descriptive statistics were used to assess NOS views. Class reflective assignments and open inquiry projects were coded and evaluated using the revised NSI rubric employing a mixed methods analysis. The results reveal a notable shift in students' NOS understanding following the intervention which demonstrates the significance of deliberate NOS instruction. The research also pinpoints areas where students require focused instruction, offering valuable insights for educators with an emphasis on the impact of NOS integration in enhancing scientific literacy and highlighting the role of action research in refining instructional practices.

Disparities in teaching practice corrective feedback among university teaching practice assessors in Tanzania: Implications on pre-service professional practices

This study examines disparities in teaching practice corrective feedback among university assessors in the Tanzanian context: Implications on pre-service professional practices. A mixed-method research design was employed to bring together different strengths and non-overlapping weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative methods. The purposive sampling technique was used to get 120 undergraduate pre-service teachers from three colleges involved in the study. Questionnaire, interview and documentary reviews were used to collect data and analyzed descriptively to provide summaries in terms of numerical counts and frequencies. The study revealed that teaching practice assessors have conflicting suggestions and non-consensus in supporting pre-service teachers when dealing with similar issues. Conflicting suggestions might pose anomalies on the course of action to be undertaken by pre-service teachers who are trying to grow professionally. The study recommends the formulation of inter-institutional consensual supervisory guidelines that could inform synergy among university teaching practice assessors and supervisors.

Impact of the Split Teaching Practice Model on Undergraduate Pre-Service Teachers’ Performance in Science Content Delivery

The study adopted an observational research design to assess the impact of the Split Teaching Practice Model on undergraduate pre-service teachers' performance in science content delivery within classroom settings, without researchers’ intervention. The population consisted of 119 second-year and 102 third-year science education students at Federal University Gusau - Nigeria, engaged in First and Second-phase teaching practice during the 2022/2023 academic session. A convenience sample of 96 pre-service teachers (54 in First-phase, 42 in Second-phase) was obtained. Data collection involved structured classroom observations using instrument tagged Pre-service Teachers' Performance in Science Content Delivery. Validity and reliability of the instrument were established through expert validation and inter-rater reliability assessment, yielding a correlation coefficient of 0.86. Four null hypotheses were tested using t-tests, focusing on lesson planning, presentation, class management, and attainment of objectives. The findings of the study revealed that, significant differences in favour of Second-phase pre-service teachers in aspects like sequential presentation, subject matter mastery, instructional materials usage, time management, and student participation. No significant differences were found in lesson introduction and questioning techniques. Second-phase pre-service teachers outperformed in class management and objective attainment. The study recommended continued adoption of the Split Teaching Practice Model, emphasizing refinement and customization to address specific improvement areas through feedback in teacher training institutions.

Reasoning in classroom dilemma situations: how pre-service teachers judge performance assessment

This study examines pre-service teachers’ reasoning structures based on their beliefs in the context of school performance assessment. We used reflective writing to investigate pre-service teachers’ judgment and reasoning regarding different functions of performance assessment. Forty-five undergraduate pre-service teachers participated in our study. Using a mixed-method approach, we conducted categorial and reconstructive text analyses as well as exploratory statistical analyses to describe the participants’ reasoning structures. Such cognitive structures comprise potential solutions to the performance assessment dilemmas that teachers face in their everyday teaching practice. We found varying distributions of and relationships between (individual-, objective-, social-, and ability-related) reference norms (neutral, student-, and teacher-centered) reference perspectives as well as (causal-analytic, normative, descriptive, and effect-oriented) modes of argumentation. Our discussions related to future research activities on teachers’ reasoning structures in the classroom.

Individual learning paths mastering teachers’ professional vision

IntroductionPromoting a professional vision of teaching as a key factor of teachers’ expertise is a core challenge for teacher professionalization. While research on teaching has evolved and successfully evaluated various video-based intervention programs, a prevailing emphasis on outcome measures can yet be observed. However, the learning processes by which teachers acquire professional vision currently remain a black box. The current study sought to fill this research gap. As part of a course dedicated to promoting a professional vision of classroom management, students were imparted knowledge about classroom management that had to be applied to the analysis of authentic classroom videos. The study aimed to determine the variety of individual strategies that students applied during their video analyses, and to investigate the relationship between these and the quality of the students’ analyses, measured by their agreement with an experts’ rating of the video clips.MethodsThe sample comprised 45 undergraduate pre-service teachers enrolled in a course to acquire a professional vision of classroom management. By applying their imparted knowledge of classroom management, students engaged in the analysis of classroom videos to learn how to notice and interpret observable events that are relevant to effective classroom management. Implementing a learning analytical approach allowed for the gathering of process-related data to analyze the behavioral patterns of students within a digital learning environment. Video-based strategies were identified by conducting cluster analyses and related to the quality of the students’ analysis outcomes, measured by their concordance with the experts’ ratings.ResultsWe gained insight into the learning processes involved in video-based assignments designed to foster a professional vision of classroom management, such as the areas of interest that attracted students’ heightened attention. We could also distinguish different approaches taken by students in analyzing classroom videos. Relatedly, we found clusters indicating meticulous and less meticulous approaches to analyzing classroom videos and could identify significant correlations between process and outcome variables.DiscussionThe findings of this study have implications for the design and implementation of video-based assignments for promoting professional vision, and may serve as a starting point for implementing process-based diagnostics and providing adaptive learning support.

Factors influencing student teachers’ intention to use mobile augmented reality in primary science teaching

Thanks to the advancement of mobile technologies, Augmented Reality (AR) has become broadly accessible through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Mobile Augmented Reality can benefit science education in a variety of ways. However, except from some sporadic experimental cases, it is rather rarely employed by teachers and has not yet been fully introduced in education. Moreover, little research exists about the adoption behavior of mobile AR by pre-service teachers. Against this background, the current study proposes and validates an integrated adoption model to explain and predict the factors that significantly influence student teachers’ intentions to use mobile AR in teaching primary science. The study also introduces two new constructs, Perceived Immersion and Perceived Educational Value in the context of mobile AR. Eighty-nine undergraduate pre-service primary school teachers participated in a mobile augmented reality workshop creating mobile augmented reality experiences for teaching physics to primary school pupils. Following that, student teachers answered an online survey. The quantitative survey data was analysed using structural equation modelling. The study confirmed the proposed model explaining and predicting approximately 72% of the variance of student teachers’ Behavioral Intention to Use mobile AR to teach primary science. Perceived Immersion and Perceived Educational Value significantly influence Behavioral Intention to Use after being mediated by Perceived Usefulness. The study offers insight into the factors influencing pre-service primary teachers’ intentions to utilise mobile augmented reality (AR) in their future lessons, which is relevant given the growing interest in utilising these technologies in education. Implications are discussed.

Welcoming Newcomers to Makerspaces

This article provides several self-guided, simple, creative activities to help learners gain familiarity and create with maker tools. Activities center around four categories: low technology, paper circuitry, Sphero robotics, and Cricut cutting machines. Learners use maker resources to build animals, construct LED bracelets or lanterns, code sirens, design stickers, and more. Although the intended audience for this article was undergraduate preservice teachers, most activities have also been completed by students in grades 3-8. Because materials differ by activity, they are presented in each activity.

The Development of the Decoding Skills Scale in Information and Communication Technologies and an Investigation of Preservice Teachers in This Framework

Decoding skills of individuals can be observed in different fields, one of which is information and communication technologies (ICT). Within the scope of the current study decoding skills are a new concept. There is no measurement tool available in the literature. At this point, the researchers aimed (1) to develop the ICT-Decoding Skills Scale and to conduct a validity and reliability study and (2) to identify undergraduate preservice teachers’ level of ICT-Decoding skills, studying in faculties of education. The participants of the study involved a total of 1580 faculty of education students studying in 59 different universities in Turkey. The ICT-Decoding Skills Scale is a 4-factor, 5-point Likert-type scale comprising of 23 items. CFA results showed that model fit indices were calculated as the following: [χ2=897.841; df=219; χ2/df=4.100 p<.001; GFI=.873; AGFI=.840; CFI=.938; NFI=.920; NNFI(TLI)=.928; RMSEA=.070; RMR=.068; SRMR=.060]. When the internal consistencies were analyzed, Cronbach’s Alpha value for the overall scale was (α=.94). As to address the second aim of the study, the ICT-decoding skills of preservice teachers were examined. Preservice teachers’ ICT-decoding skills were found to be at a high level in the overall scale. However, in the subscales, they were observed to have medium and low levels of skills. Similarly, low levels of sensemaking, debugging and problem-solving skills were observed in their Coding Skills. At this point, preservice teachers are suggested to be supported in advanced technical skills, safety and social skills in digital environment and coding skills in addition to basic digital skills.

“Open Our Hearts and Minds to Say I Belong Here”: Undergraduate Preservice Teachers’ Transfer Experiences

Examining transfer students’ sense of belonging and perceptions of community in the context of their journey toward becoming teachers highlights the challenges and opportunities they encounter during this academic transition. Through the use of thematic analysis, this study analyzed the dynamics of building a sense of belonging among 14 preservice teachers of color as they transferred into a large four-year Hispanic Serving Institution. Through a Transfer-Receptive Culture lens, the study finds that students placed limited significance on their racial identities but described other factors as more impactful on their sense of belonging. The study argues for foregrounding students’ intersectional identities, including race, to enhance their overall academic success, enable them to create meaningful connections with peers and equip them with the necessary skills to excel in their future roles as teachers.

Building a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program with Backward Design

Research has shown that high impact practices improve the quality of student learning, experience, retention, and academic success, particularly for underserved students. The teaching and learning practices that have been extensively tested and have been shown to be beneficial for college students include study abroad and field-based service-learning projects. In Summer 2019, a group of four undergraduate pre-service teachers at a Hispanic-serving university from the United States participated in a 10-day faculty-led Taiwan Study Abroad Program. One of the components of the program was a service-learning project – a 2-1/2-day English Language Camp in a Taiwanese elementary school. Using this study abroad program as a model, this article discusses how to develop and implement a program with the end in mind, including the respective academic preparation including the pre-travel, on-site, and post-travel assignments. The backward design framework provides instructors a planning structure and process to guide curriculum, assessment, and instruction.

Findings from the expert-novice paradigm on differential response behavior among multiple-choice items of a pedagogical content knowledge test - implications for test development.

Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is one core dimension of teachers' professional knowledge and comprises knowledge about conceptual ideas of learners and appropriate instructions. However, several challenges regarding the assessment of PCK are discussed in the literature: For example, PCK is a topic-specific construct and contains differentiable subdomains, which must be considered during test development. In addition, the choice of test type needs to be considered. While open-ended instruments can capture a broader range of cognitions, they often require a high level of interpretation; in contrast, multiple-choice instruments have advantages in terms of objectivity and test economy. Some challenges of assessing PCK are particularly related to multiple-choice instruments, such as an insufficient focus on specific components or the accidental assessment of teachers' beliefs instead of PCK. To better understand and explain these challenges in developing multiple-choice PCK instruments, we exemparly used an instrument to assess PCK about scientific reasoning and considered the assumptions of the expert-novice paradigm to analyze differential response behavior between n = 10 researchers in the field of biology education (experts) and n = 10 undergraduate pre-service biology teachers (novices). As expected, experts scored significantly higher than novices. At the same time, experts answered the items more consistently than novices, i.e., showed less variance. However, the difference found was statistically insignificant. Regarding the explanations for choosing a response option, experts more often correctly identified the quintessence of the items, which means that they more often understand the items as intended and argued based on their PCK. On the other hand, novices focused more on surface characteristics, i.e., they argued rather with surface knowledge like intuition or personal experience, than choosing the response option based on their PCK. These crucial differences in how experts and novices understand the items of the used PCK instrument and how they respond based on their understanding affect different test characteristics. In conclusion, we recommend ensuring that instruments address only a few, specific PCK aspects, considering the target group of a test, and take into account that target groups with larger variability among their responses require a higher number of items to achieve satisfactory discrimination and reliability indices.

Exploring Contradictions in Pre-Service Teachers’ Feedback About Inquiry-Based Collaborative Learning

ABSTRACT Curriculum and professional standards mandate that digital technologies are used in schooling, and consequently, universities are required to prepare pre-service teachers for this in initial teacher education degrees. In response, one Australian university developed an inquiry-based collaborative approach, called creative inquiry. Feedback from end-of-semester evaluation surveys is positive; however, the written comments include diverse and apparently contradictory feedback. This paper uses thematic analysis to retrospectively identify the contradictions found in three years of feedback from a combined cohort of 1473 undergraduate pre-service teachers. The findings indicate, firstly, that the rationale for using digital technologies in schooling was inconsistent with some pre-service teachers’ prior experience and expectations for future practice. Secondly, creative inquiry was inconsistent with some pre-service teachers’ preferences for coursework. The findings are theorized using Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory, and identify potential implications for constructivist, student-centric approaches to initial teacher education about learning and teaching with digital technologies.

Preliminary Results from Norway, Slovenia, Portugal, Turkey, Ukraine, and Jordan: Investigating Pre-Service Teachers’ Expected Use of Digital Technology When Becoming Teachers

Digital technology has become an important part of society and deserves attention and in-depth research, which is still lacking. The study presented in this paper includes international perspectives from six countries and examines which factors influence the use of digital technologies in future pedagogical work in primary schools. Specifically, we investigated how pre-service teachers assess their attitudes, knowledge, and skills towards digital technology, and we determined these factors’ role in the pre-service teachers’ future use of digital technologies in pedagogical work. For the purpose of the research, an online questionnaire was used, which contained open-ended questions, optional questions, and five-point Likert-type scales, and Spearman correlation and Stepwise linear regression statistical methods were used in the data analysis. The sample consisted of 573 full-time and part-time undergraduate pre-service teachers from the Faculties of Education’s higher professional programmes in Norway, Slovenia, Portugal, Turkey, Ukraine, and Jordan. Data were collected between June 2021 and May 2022 and processed using IBM SPSS. The present research showed the significant importance of knowledge and skills about digital technologies and professional attitude towards digital tool factors for pre-service teachers’ future professional use of digital technologies. The demonstrated intention of the future use of digital technologies showed the readiness of pre-service teachers regarding the inclusion of digital technologies in pedagogical work. Opportunities for further research are in the implementation of focus groups after surveying pre-service teachers, as well as regular measurements and the inclusion of other important constructs in the regression model.