Search results for: Knowledge construction

Results from a metasynthesis of the relationships between 14 different types of preservice teacher preparation practices and teaching quality, preschool to university student performance, and university student and beginning teacher belief appraisals are reported. Each type of preservice practice (e.g., course-based student learning) included different kinds of instructional methods (e.g., problem-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and project-based learning). The metasynthesis included 118 meta-analyses and 12 surveys of more than three million study participants. Findings clearly indicated that active university student and beginning teacher involvement in mastering the use of instructional practices and both knowledge and skill acquisition by far stood out as the most important preservice teacher preparation practices. The pattern of results helped identify high leverage and high impact teacher preparation practices. Implications for future research and improving teacher preparation are described.

The purpose of this collaborative self-study was to gain a deeper understanding of the authors' personal experience and practice. This study also aimed to construct new knowledge that allows for individual transformations and spreads throughout the entire department. This collaborative self-study illustrates the co-construction of knowledge of practice in two ways: (a) the development of the authors' personal perceptions by means of reciprocal relationships, conversations, and active attempts to improve their teacher education practices; and (b) the impact of working collaboratively in the interpretive zone as a source of expanding learning, changing the curriculum, and implementing new activities.

The current article explores a mentoring and coaching service among UK university staff. For this purpose, the author interviewed 12 mentors/coaches and eight of their clients. The author examines the link between the construction of knowledge and personal relationship, considering the personal relationship both of mentor/coach with clients, and among mentors/coaches themselves. The author concludes by considering implications from the findings about mentoring and coaching.

This study was situated in Singapore, which aims to achieve engaged learning in P–12 schools with the use of educational technology. One of the foci of study among Singaporean educational researchers is a computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environment. Such an environment emphasizes collaboration among learners for the coconstruction of knowledge. The goal of this case study is to gain insights into how negotiation and coconstruction of knowledge occurs among participating teachers during their participation in a knowledge-building community.