Advancing Teacher Candidates' Capabilities for Differentiated Instruction

Author(s):  
Alpana Bhattacharya

This chapter illustrates pedagogical practices from an undergraduate educational psychology course focused on preparing preservice teacher candidates for inclusive education in grades 7-12 general classes. First, literature related to teacher preparation for multi-tiered inclusive education is reviewed. Next, an inclusive instructional project is showcased to pinpoint pedagogical approaches used for promoting preservice teacher candidates' capabilities for differentiated instruction and technology-enhanced instruction in general education. Finally, implications of pedagogical practices for promoting preservice teacher candidates' aptitude for teaching diverse students via differentiated instruction are discussed, and future research directions for examining effectiveness of teacher preparation in general education for inclusive education are suggested.

Author(s):  
Alpana Bhattacharya

Teacher preparation programs in the United States are expected to educate preservice teacher candidates through instructor-learner partnerships. Collaborative learning, project-based learning, and authentic assessment therefore are vital for preparing teacher candidates to teach in 7-12 grades. This chapter shares instances of instructor-learner partnership from an undergraduate educational psychology course via course-based and field-based assignments. First, an overview of constructivism is presented as foundational theory anchoring instructor-learner partnership in the teacher preparation course. Next, instructor-learner partnership is illustrated within a simulation task, technology-enhanced project, and fieldwork experience. Finally, instructor-learner partnership in formative assessment of course-based and field-based activities are illustrated. The chapter concludes with recommendations for inculcating instructor-learner partnership in teacher education courses, and directions for future research pertinent to instructor-learner partnership in teacher preparation programs.


2022 ◽  
pp. 335-356
Author(s):  
André P. Botha ◽  
Leila Goosen

This chapter presents a reconceptualization of preservice teacher preparation in the context of science, information technology, and African language education using action research (AR). The authors provide a background of AR as a transformative practice, along with benefits and possible limitations, and describe how student teachers turn theory to practice as change agents engaging in reflection and implementing solutions. Collaborative interaction between mentor teachers and lecturers and the project reports and reflective journals generated by the student teachers are integral parts of the research design and internship program. The authors recommend the use of AR to empower student teachers to deal effectively with probems that arise, and they discuss future research directions.


Author(s):  
Alpana Bhattacharya

This chapter showcases a teacher educator's assessment of case-based instruction in an advanced level educational psychology course. First, action research, self-study, and reflective practice are explained as constructs of practitioner inquiry. Then, case-based instructional models related to teacher candidates' classroom management proficiencies are reviewed. Next, the teacher educator's examination of own teacher preparation practice is described to highlight development, implementation, and improvement of the target educational psychology course geared towards advancement of teacher candidates' classroom management capacities. Thereafter, solutions and recommendations for promoting teacher candidates' P-12 grades classroom management expertise are discussed. Finally, future research directions are proposed for ascertaining effectiveness of case-based instruction as evidence-based pedagogical approach for strengthening teacher candidates' P-12 grades classroom management aptitudes.


2022 ◽  
pp. 74-104
Author(s):  
Alpana Bhattacharya

Socratic instructional approaches for teacher preparation have been endorsed by teacher education programs across the globe for several decades. This chapter describes Socratic case-based teacher preparation in an undergraduate educational psychology course in the United States. Collaborative dialogues, inductive questions, and reasoning are key Socratic strategies used as instructional approaches for promoting teacher candidates' critical thinking and reflective teaching through case-based analysis. Two forms of case-based learning, face-to-face (synchronous) textual case analysis, and computer-mediated (asynchronous) video cases analysis is illustrated and supported with evidence-based theoretical frameworks and research findings. Effectiveness of Socratic case-based teacher preparation is determined via quantitative and qualitative evaluation of teacher candidates' collaborative oral case analysis reports and individual written case analysis reports. Recommendations for strengthening Socratic case-based teacher preparation and future research initiatives are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Y. Mngo ◽  
Agnes Y. Mngo

The opinions of general education secondary school teachers in seven select schools involved in a pilot inclusive education program in the Northwest Region of Cameroon were sought. The findings reveal that most teachers in Cameroon still prefer separate special education institutions to inclusive ones. These conclusions contradict earlier research which showed that resistance to integrated classrooms was emanating from beliefs and customs. Teachers with some training on teaching students with disabilities and more experienced and highly educated teachers were more supportive of inclusive education indicating that resistance to the practice is linked to inadequate or complete lack of teachers’ preparedness. Younger, less experienced teachers with no training in special education indicated less enthusiasm regarding the benefits of inclusion, their ability to manage integrated classrooms, and teach students with disabilities. The implication of these findings for future research, institutional support systems, institutional policies, and overall instructional leadership is discussed in this article.


2009 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 480-510
Author(s):  
Anita M. Varrati ◽  
Mary E. Lavine ◽  
Steven L. Turner

Background/Context Beginning teachers often identify the school principal as a key figure for support and guidance. Few teacher education conceptual models exist that significantly integrate the building principal into the clinical experiences of teacher candidates. The rationale behind initiating discourse on principal involvement grows out of current policy and reform initiatives that require increased accountability for improved student performance. The call for more deliberate principal involvement in preservice also arises in regard to teacher attrition and retention concerns. Having the principal engage in active mentoring during preservice may positively address these issues by providing a more complete socialization and enculturation process into today's context of schooling. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study The major research questions for this study were: (1) What are the level and types of support that building principals provide for the preparation of new teachers? (2)What are the obstacles that may be preventing principals from becoming more involved with teacher preparation? (3) What are the types of activities that make sense for principal involvement with field experience and student teaching? (4) What are suggestions for more meaningful collaboration between schools and teacher/administrator preparation programs? Research Design The study was designed as an interpretive qualitative research project that attempted a measure of self-reporting through in-depth interviews. Conclusions/Recommendations M3—A new conceptual model of collaboration (three supports for preservice teacher: mentor, university supervisor, and principal) was presented to include the principal with the preservice teacher, university supervisor, and cooperating teacher in a community of practice for teacher preparation. To build on this research and continue the discourse about the principal's role, several implications and areas for future study are presented: (1) investigation of teacher preparation programs more in depth to get further information about how principals are involved in teacher education, (2) implementation of the M3 conceptual model in a pilot capacity during field and student teaching experiences to gather more data about collaboration, especially the role of the principal, (3) the collaboration of principal preparation and teacher education programs to address this aspect of supervision in course content and internships, (4) the difference in perceptions of prospective and practicing principals regarding their role with teacher candidates during preser-vice, and (5) study of professional development schools to see how the principal is involved in a supervisory and instructional leadership capacity with preservice teachers.


Author(s):  
Holly H. Pinter ◽  
Lisa A. Bloom ◽  
Charmion B. Rush ◽  
Cameron Sastre

Research regarding best practice for preparing both special education and general education teachers for inclusion has been sparse in the US. The purpose of this chapter is to systematically review and summarize research regarding teacher preparation for inclusion. A thorough search uncovered 35 relevant studies. Themes that emerged from analysis of this research of best practices for teacher preparation for inclusive education included content for inclusion infused in teacher education courses, attention early and often to attitudes and dispositions toward inclusion, opportunities for collaboration and co-teaching, strong university-school partnerships, and collaboration to teacher education faculty.


Inclusion ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-202
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Kurth ◽  
Anjali Forber-Pratt

Abstract The trend of educating students with disabilities in inclusive general education settings is expanding. Consequently, teacher preparation for inclusive practices is a necessary consideration for teacher educators. An important component of shaping preservice teacher dispositions comes from school experiences and interactions with mentor teachers. It is through this relationship that preservice teachers formulate their own attitudes, beliefs, and skills about inclusive practices. This article reports the findings from a set of surveys containing both closed- and open-ended responses related to inclusive education from both preservice (student) and mentor teachers. Analysis of the open-ended responses revealed definitions of inclusive education focused on student deficits and barriers to implementation of inclusive practices that focused on deficits in the capacity of the environment. Implications for teacher preparation, including challenging deficit-based assumptions, are discussed.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALICE UDVARI-SOLNER ◽  
JACQUELINE S. THOUSAND

As school communities begin to serve students with significant disabilities in general education classrooms, there is a need to recognize and employ curriculum orientations and practices that interface with the purposes and principles of inclusive education. this article begins by offering reconstructionism---or the process of critique and reformulation of practice---as a useful orientation for viewing the design of curriculum in inclusive schools. sound theoretical foundations and the use of learner-centered, process-oriented, and communication-based instructional approaches are proposed as promising practices for designing a curriculum that is responsive to the needs of diverse learners. following this discussion, implications for future research are articulated.


2020 ◽  
pp. 004208592097408
Author(s):  
Emily C. Brown ◽  
Agata Freedle ◽  
Nicole L. Hurless ◽  
Rebecca D. Miller ◽  
Claire Martin ◽  
...  

Children who experience trauma may experience negative health and educational outcomes. Teachers are critical stakeholders in trauma-informed schools and are tasked with recognizing and responding to the needs of students who experience trauma. However, teachers face barriers to implementing trauma-informed practices, including high levels of stress and lack of preparation. This article describes training embedded in an urban teacher preparation program aimed at increasing the trauma knowledge and skills confidence of teacher candidates. Findings suggest the training helped teacher candidates increase knowledge and skills and met stated needs. Recommendations for future research and implications for teachers and teacher educators are discussed.


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