scholarly journals Implementing Action Research in a Teacher Preparation Program: Opportunities and Limitations

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-71
Author(s):  
Glenda L. Black
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Preparation Program ◽  
Problem Solving Skills

Action research has the potential to reconstruct schools into professional learning communities that are able to identify educational issues and develop appropriate solutions for 21st century learning. Increasingly, teacher education programs are providing action research experiences to encourage analytical thinking and problem-solving skills (Darling-Hammond, 2009, 2012). The purpose of this study was to critically examine the experiences of the teacher educator and teacher candidates involved in the implementation of an action research component over four years in a revised consecutive initial teacher preparation program. A case study design using action research methodology was used in the research, which provided the tools to explore a complex phenomenon within its context: the implementation of an action research assignment in a core course in a teacher preparation program. The perceptions of the faculty teaching the course and the teacher candidates (n=544) in each of the four years provided insight into challenges, benefits, and lessons learned.  The discussion centers on the implementation of action research in a compulsory course in a teacher education program; identifying opportunities and limitations settled into four main categories: structural incongruence, reflection, growth, and recommendations.

scholarly journals Enhancing Educational Technology Confidence among Teacher Candidates: Benefits of and Lessons Learned from a 1:1 Device University-Elementary School Partnership

10.28945/4129 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 423-440
Author(s):  
Gregory M Francom ◽  
Andria L Moon
Keyword(s):  
Educational Technology ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Social Outcome ◽  
Preparation Program ◽  
University Partnership

Aim/Purpose: This study describes and evaluates a teacher preparation program that combines a school-university partnership and a 1:1 device initiative. Background: This educational design research report combines a 1:1 technology device experience with a school-university partnership to enhance teacher preparation for educational technology use. Methodology: This is a mixed-methods educational design research study. Interview responses share benefits and lessons learned from the program experience. Survey responses give information about educational technology confidence among teacher candidates who took part in this program. Contribution: This study provides a description of a unique teacher preparation program designed to enhance educational technology confidence among teacher candidates and shares lessons learned from this experience in light of collected data. Findings: Teacher candidates’ social outcome expectations for using technology were increased. Qualitative data indicate that the program also benefitted elementary school teachers by enhancing educational technology confidence and providing extra help. Recommendations for Practitioners: University teacher candidates should be given more embedded technology-focused classroom experiences. Smaller university class sizes are necessary to support these types of experiences. Recommendation for Researchers: Future studies could more deeply investigate how school-university partnership programs with technology affect teacher candidates’ social outcome expectations and educational technology confidence. Impact on Society: Approaches to teacher preparation similar to the one presented in this study can enhance students’ social outcome expectations for using technology. Future Research: Future studies could investigate various educational technology initiatives’ effects on teacher candidates’ educational technology confidence and share teacher preparation program designs aimed at enhancing educational technology use.

scholarly journals Preparing Catholic Educators to Educate and Evangelize in 21st Century Schools, Action Research of an Analysis of Educator Preparation Program Requirements Including Professional and Pedagogical, Relational, Formational and Evangelistic Education for P-16 Students (PROFEss)

2019 ◽  
pp. 107-118
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Catholic Identity ◽  
Preparation Program ◽  
Curriculum And Pedagogy ◽  
Catholic University ◽  
P 16 ◽  
Educator Preparation Program

The preparation of effective, knowledgeable and caring educators whose mission is to serve society through direct contact with and instruction of students, is the topic of this action research. We sought to determine how we as a teacher preparation program within a dynamic Catholic university could ensure that our Catholic identity was truly evident and nurtured in our teacher candidates as they prepare to engage in the extremely important job of offering what is a universal right to an education to PK-12 students, in a variety of learning environments. The analysis of this teacher preparation program included a review of literature specific to Catholic teaching on education, qualitative data collection via interviews, and personal reflection and analysis of curriculum and pedagogy in order to make our Catholic identity explicit. Findings included the need for reinforcing Catholic Identity through professional, pedagogical, relational, formational and evangelistic education for students (PROFEss).

Learning to Teach

2018 ◽  
pp. 587-612
Author(s):  
Gabrièle Abowd Damico ◽  
Lawrence J. Ruich ◽  
John M. Andrésen ◽  
Gretchen Butera
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Field Experience ◽  
Teacher Candidate ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Preparation Program ◽  
University Supervisor ◽  
Evaluative Feedback ◽  
Triadic Relationship

This chapter describes an approach to field experience that provides the opportunity for a long-term relationship between a teacher candidate and their supervising teacher in a teacher preparation program called Community of Teachers (CoT). CoT emphasizes the importance of this relationship in several ways. The program empowers teacher candidates and their mentors to choose one another. In addition, the length of the field experience provides an opportunity for teacher candidates to more deeply engage in the process of becoming a teacher within the context of a classroom and a school that they come to know well. A triadic relationship between the teacher candidate, supervising teacher, and university supervisor provides the opportunity for support as well as evaluative feedback for the teacher candidate. Benefits also accrue to the supervising teacher.

Using Qualitative Inquiry and Self-Study to Make Sense of Data Use Practices in Teacher Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 34-44
Author(s):  
Jahnette Wilson ◽  
Sam Brower ◽  
Teresa Edgar ◽  
Amber Thompson ◽  
Shea Culpepper
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Data Use ◽  
Program Improvement ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Preparation Program ◽  
Self Study

Accountability and rigor in teacher education have been the focus of recent policy initiatives. Thus, data use practices have become increasingly critical to informing program improvement. Educational researchers have established self-study as a research methodology to intentionally be used by teacher educators to improve their practice. The purpose of the self-study described in this article was to examine the data use practices of one teacher preparation program in an effort to facilitate improvement of the program's capacity in using program data. The qualitative data gathered in this case study proved to be pivotal in the continuous improvement efforts of the teacher preparation program; thus, the usefulness and value of the findings within this case study have implications for how institutional self-study and qualitative data can support quantitative programmatic data in order to facilitate programmatic improvement initiatives.

scholarly journals Exploring the Challenges of Initial Teacher Preparation: Voicing the Concerns from the Field

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-35
Author(s):  
Fekede Tuli ◽  
Temesgen Oljira
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Teacher Training Programs ◽  
The Right

It is widely recognized that the best education systems have the best teachers, and a school can only ever be as good as its teachers. However, the quality of a teaching force is dependent on the availability of good quality teacher education program. Hence, the purpose of this study was to explore the challenges of initial teacher preparation program from insiders’ perspectives. Data were collected via semi-structured interview and analyzed narratively. The findings of the study revealed that failure to attract the right people into teaching, poor quality of teacher training programs, weak University and School partnership, unfair and disproportionate treatment of teacher education, policy- practice gap, poor teacher retention strategy, and poor information and communication technology integration as the challenges undermining the teacher education program. The need to attracting best and brightest candidates into the profession, strengthening teacher education programs, improving the management of teacher education, valuing teachers and improving their status are areas identified as implication of the study.

scholarly journals Transition to Teaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Lance Potter ◽  
A. Suzie Henning ◽  
Tara L. Haskins
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
First Year ◽  
Teaching Program ◽  
Application Process ◽  
Teacher Shortages ◽  
Students First ◽  
Competency Based

This article describes lessons learned from the first-year implementation of a Grow Your Own teacher preparation alternative route program, Transition to Teaching. Implemented in a rural area in Washington State facing significant teacher shortages, the Transition to Teaching program reaches potential teachers who may not have access to a four-year college and a high-quality, competency-based teacher preparation program. The Transition to Teaching program fulfills the priority assigned by the state to recruiting and retaining teachers from underrepresented groups. Beginning with describing the design of the program and the application process, we discuss students’ first-year experiences, lessons learned, and solutions developed. Content, strategies, access, and efficiencies are highlighted and advice for new programs is provided. In the end, we prove programs comparable to Transition to Teaching require clear collaboration and coordination as well as oversight to ensure teacher candidates are successful.

scholarly journals Supporting Practitioner Inquiry in Teacher Education: Opportunities and Challenges in ESOL Contexts

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Chapman ◽  
Chelsea Morris ◽  
Katy Green
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Practitioner Inquiry ◽  
Pedagogical Practice ◽  
Multilingual Students ◽  
Speakers Of Other Languages

Formal preparation and professional development with an explicit focus on the teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is essential. Thus, teacher preparation programs play a vital role in meeting this pressing need. Practitioner inquiry has the potential to be a powerful anchor in clinical field experiences for teacher candidates working with emergent bilingual/multilingual students (EB). The purpose of this paper is to present practitioner inquiry as a promising pedagogical practice for teacher education, drawing from examples of implementation in an elementary, preservice teacher preparation program that leads to state credentialing in ESOL. Opportunities and challenges related to the use of this practice with teacher candidates, as well as recommendations, are discussed. Keywordspractitioner inquiry, professional development, teacher education, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), bilingual/multilingual students

Elementary Teacher Candidates' Perspectives on the Teaching and Learning of English Learners

2018 ◽  
pp. 23-41
Author(s):  
Stefanie D. Livers ◽  
Liang-Yin. Lin
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Elementary Teacher ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Preparation Program ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Successful Teachers ◽  
Research Institution ◽  
Elementary Teacher Candidates

Research suggests that K-12 teacher candidates are not prepared to meet the needs of English Learners (ELs) (O'Neal, Ringler, & Rodriguez, 2008), and that their belief systems about teaching impact their ability to learn best practices for instruction (Nosich, 2009). In order to be successful teachers of ELs, teacher candidates must be adequately prepared to meet the needs of diverse learners by making targeted changes to instruction. It is essential that teacher preparation programs include opportunities to develop knowledge and skills. The goal of this study was to evaluate one preparation program's effect on knowledge, beliefs and attitudes, and self-efficacy of teacher candidates in regard to teaching ELs. The study examined perceptions, experience and knowledge of ELs and the effectiveness of a teacher preparation program in changing teacher candidates' beliefs about ELs. This exploratory study builds on previous research from a four-phase elementary teacher preparation program at a research institution.

Revising a Teacher Education Program for Diversity and Social Justice through Culturally Responsive Coursework and Professional Collaboration

2016 ◽  
pp. 409-436
Author(s):  
Gayle Y. Thieman
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Social Justice ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Lesson Study ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Program ◽  
Graduate Teacher Education

A major revision in a graduate teacher education program (GTEP) at a mid-sized urban university provided an opportunity to rethink goals as teacher educators in order to address issues of diversity and social justice. This chapter suggests some answers to the question: What characteristics of a teacher preparation program prepare teacher candidates (TCs) to provide high quality education for all students, including those who have been historically underserved? This chapter reports a case study of the relevant research and implementation of substantially revised university coursework to better prepare teacher candidates for a diverse student population, and increased collaboration to promote program coherence. Revised coursework emphasizes culturally responsive teaching, content area literacy, and accountability for K-12 student learning. Collaboration is facilitated by clustered placements, co-teaching, and lesson study.

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