Section archive - Instruction in Teacher Training

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of question prompts on the process of journal writing by comparing unstructured and structured journals from pre-service teachers in the context of a Teaching Practicum course. Four early childhood pre-service teachers in their final year of undergraduate study constituted the case of this study. The unstructured and structured journals they kept in this process were compared in terms of content and reflection levels, and a questionnaire was utilized to determine their views. The study showed that when compared to unstructured writing, the use of question prompts assisted the pre-service teachers in achieving an advanced level of reflection in their journal writing.

This paper has two purposes. First, to explore ways in which a western-centric in-service teacher education programme has transformed the teaching of 14 teacher participants who hitherto used a more Chinese-centric approach to teaching. Second, to investigate if any changes that have occurred have diffused beyond the teacher participants’ classrooms and if so, to whom and to where. The teacher participants belonged to one of four cohorts of teachers who, between 2014–2019, enrolled onto a UK accredited, level seven, Post Graduate Certificate (International) Education (PGCIE), blended learning programme. All used English as the medium of instruction to teach English, Accounts or Business subjects to Chinese students, aged 18–23. Underpinned by principles of pedagogical gains through reflective practice, the programme’s aim was to develop teacher participants’ practice, with an emphasis on student-led approaches to teaching and learning. Tenets of two theoretical frameworks (transformational learning and diffusion of innovations) furnished a lens to view the data. Data were gathered from interviews with teacher participants and managers. Available and relevant statistical data were also used. The paper presents evidence of how transformational learning leads to improved teacher effectiveness and how changes in practice can become diffused beyond the classroom and to others.

To identify the tasks student teachers perform during the practicum, a quantitative study was designed using a questionnaire completed by 248 students in their final year of teacher training. The results show that the student teachers did not have the chance to tackle the broad range of teaching tasks, limiting their view of teaching and reducing their training potential. It is necessary to clearly establish the obligations of institutions who collaborate in the practicum, defining participants’ roles and ensuring that this experience encourages appropriate learning.

The role of special education teachers is currently facing an extensive renewal process closely related to the professional transition from a narrow understanding of special education, rooted in the deficit paradigm, to a broader vision of inclusion as a whole-school and community action. Within such a process, student teachers’ professional development in special education plays a crucial role. Studies on this topic underline how student teachers’ beliefs and attitudes regarding inclusive education deeply affect their future teaching activity. Research shows that, while student teachers usually agree with the principles of inclusive teaching, they are much less sure of how to implement those principles in their teaching practice. By assessing the breadth of the gulf between ideals and practice, the author’s investigation emphasises how the video analysis of simulated lessons carried out by student teachers can contribute to a positive change in student teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion in school. Such a change would help student teachers develop a reflective stance that would strengthen their ability to transform inclusive principles into everyday educational practices.