Metaphors As Two-Way Mirrors: Illuminating Pre-Service To In-Service Teacher Identity Development,
2015
University of Technology Sydney
Metaphors As Two-Way Mirrors: Illuminating Pre-Service To In-Service Teacher Identity Development, John Buchanan
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
The transition from pre-service to in-service can be difficult for teachers. One means of looking into the minds and hearts of such teachers is to elicit the metaphors they adopt for themselves. Previous studies have indicated that during this transition much of the confidence, idealism and optimism of teacher metaphors is displaced by bleak and defeatist visions. These changes are usually explained by ‘praxis shock’ – a result of unrealistic prior views of teaching and equally unrealistic workloads and challenges. This research project asks if metaphors might reveal more about pre-service teachers’ views and vulnerabilities, and help avert or mitigate …
Student Teachers’ Cognition About L2 Pronunciation Instruction: A Case Study,
2015
University of Wollongong
Student Teachers’ Cognition About L2 Pronunciation Instruction: A Case Study, Michael Burri
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
In view of the minimal attention pronunciation teacher preparation has received in second language (L2) teacher education, this study examined the cognition (i.e. beliefs, thoughts, attitudes and knowledge) development of 15 student teachers during a postgraduate subject on pronunciation pedagogy offered at an Australian tertiary institution. Findings revealed that, as a result of taking the subject, student teachers’ cognition shifted from teaching individual sounds (i.e. segmentals) to favouring a more balanced approach to pronunciation instruction. That is, teaching the melody of the English language (i.e. suprasegmentals) was seen as important as teaching segmentals. Non-native speakers’ self-perceived pronunciation improvement, an increase …
"Inclusive And Different?” Discourse, Conflict, And The Identity Construction Experiences Of Preservice Teachers Of English Language Learners In Australia,
2015
Hong Kong Institute of Education
"Inclusive And Different?” Discourse, Conflict, And The Identity Construction Experiences Of Preservice Teachers Of English Language Learners In Australia, John Trent
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
This article reports the results of a discourse-theoretic study that considered the perspectives of one group of preservice mainstream teachers in Australia concerning their preparedness to teach English language learners (ELLs). Framed by a theory of teacher identity and using in-depth interviews, the paper explores the perceptions and experiences of six preservice teachers, revealing the presence of two dominant discourses of ELLs: a discourse of equity and inclusiveness and a discourse of difference. The results suggested that these discourses interacted in ways unanticipated by policy makers and that an unintended consequence of this discursive interplay was that participants experienced conflict …
Teacher Attrition And Retention Research In Australia: Towards A New Theoretical Framework,
2015
University of Nagasaki, Japan
Teacher Attrition And Retention Research In Australia: Towards A New Theoretical Framework, Shannon Mason, Cristina Poyatos Matas
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
During the last decades, the search to try to understand why Australian teachers prematurely leave their jobs has become an increasing focus of research interest. This article yields significant insights into the history and potential future of the teacher attrition research field. Using a thematic content analysis methodology, a study of the Australian literature reveals that the field in this country is still in its infancy, and is dominated by small-scale, qualitative exploratory studies. Furthermore, it shows the lack of consistency amongst studies discussing teacher attrition, as well as the need for a theoretically informed framework that acknowledges the complex …
A Healthy Dose Of Race? White Students’ And Teachers’ Unintentional Brushes With Whiteness,
2015
Flinders University
A Healthy Dose Of Race? White Students’ And Teachers’ Unintentional Brushes With Whiteness, Samantha Schulz, Jennifer Fane
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
This paper reports on efforts by three Australian academics to develop students’ sociocultural awareness (in particular, their racial literacy) during a time of mounting pressure on teacher educators to narrow and standardise their approaches. The field of health education provides a vehicle for research; however, it is not the paper’s central foci. Of key concern is the development of a critical disposition in students – a disposition geared toward teaching for social equity. Learning of this nature transcends topic domains, and therefore allows for collaboration between academics in different parts of teacher education. Specifically, the paper focuses upon ‘whiteness’ and …
Volunteering Within Initial Teacher Education: Factors That Boost And Block Participation,
2015
The University of Newcastle
Volunteering Within Initial Teacher Education: Factors That Boost And Block Participation, Daniella J. Forster, Jennifer Archer, Rukhsana T. Tajin
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Voluntary professional experience can be a powerful way for initial teacher education (ITE) students to develop an understanding of schools and their communities. Do ITE students make use of these opportunities? There is little Australian research that explores genuine volunteering that does not “require” students to engage with the community. We conducted an on-line survey with 141 ITE students who were eligible to participate in a volunteer program. What factors reduced volunteering and what factors enhanced it? The results showed that, while students value volunteering and can point to benefits that come from it, most are unable or unwilling to …
Grappling With Multiplicity: A Framework For Teacher Formation,
2015
University of New England
Grappling With Multiplicity: A Framework For Teacher Formation, Yvonne Masters, Annette Freak
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
On enrolment in a teacher education course, pre-service teachers embark on a complex voyage of self and professional discovery. In an attempt to assist them grapple with the multiple definitions of a ‘good’ teacher, the authors developed a conceptual framework that captures core elements of change, transition and transformation. Frameworks, whether descriptive, explanatory or predictive, inform the knowledge base for educational research and practice. Irrespective of the degree of sophistication of the framework, from a simple concept to a more multi-layered consideration, there is the capacity to present complexity in a more manageable form. The ideas, concepts and constructs charted …
Changes In Science Teaching Self-Efficacy Among Primary Teacher Education Students,
2015
University of Newcastle
Changes In Science Teaching Self-Efficacy Among Primary Teacher Education Students, David Palmer, Jeanette Dixon, Jennifer Archer
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Abstract: Many preservice primary teachers have low self-efficacy for science teaching. Although science methods courses have often been shown to enhance self-efficacy, science content courses have been relatively ineffective in this respect. This study investigated whether a tailored science content course would enhance self-efficacy. The participants were preservice primary teachers and data collection was by survey and interview. Self-efficacy increased during the course and the increases were stable after a 10-month delay period. The factors that enhanced self-efficacy were: learning science content, perceptions of learning how to teach science, and teacher enthusiasm.
Teacher Education For The Middle Years Of Schooling: Sustaining Quality Middle Level Preparation In Australian Universities.,
2015
University of Otago, New Zealand
Teacher Education For The Middle Years Of Schooling: Sustaining Quality Middle Level Preparation In Australian Universities., Brenda Shanks, Tony Dowden
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
The middle years of schooling (Years 5-9) has emerged as a significant field of educational research in the last two decades but investigation of specialised approaches to middle level teacher education has received little attention. The rationale for specialised programs or units is that middle level teachers require specific preparation to be able to meet the educational needs of young adolescents (10-15 years old). This article draws from a doctoral study in which three outstanding teacher educators, with responsibility for middle level teacher education in their Australian universities, were interviewed about their programs (Shanks, 2010). The article identifies and discusses …
From 'Following' To Going Beyond The Textbook: Inservice Indian Mathematics Teachers' Professional Development For Teaching Integers,
2015
Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, TIFR, Mumbai
From 'Following' To Going Beyond The Textbook: Inservice Indian Mathematics Teachers' Professional Development For Teaching Integers, Ruchi S. Kumar, Kalyansundaram Subramaniam
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Abstract :In this paper we describe four Indian in-service middle school mathematics teachers’ shifts in their roles with respect to the textbook. The shifts occurred through participation in collaborative investigation on the topic of integers in professional development meetings. Analysis of teachers’ talk in these meetings indicated a shift in teachers’ role from reliance on textbook to using the knowledge of integer meanings to establish the connections between contexts and representations. We claim that this change in role occurred as a result of teachers developing knowledge of important ideas and representations in the professional development setting and identifying themselves as …
School Leaders As Participants In Teachers’ Professional Development: The Impact On Teachers’ And School Leaders’ Professional Growth,
2015
International Research Centre for Youth Futures, University of Technology Sydney; The University of Queensland
School Leaders As Participants In Teachers’ Professional Development: The Impact On Teachers’ And School Leaders’ Professional Growth, Annette Hilton, Geoff Hilton, Shelley Dole, Merrilyn Goos
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Over a two-year period, approximately 70 teachers from 18 schools participated in an on-going professional development program as part of a study to promote the teaching and learning of numeracy. Principals and other school leaders were invited to participate in the professional development program alongside their teachers, which 20 leaders from 11 schools chose to do. Throughout the project, data were collected from teachers and participating school leaders using surveys, interviews, and workshop discussions to investigate teachers’ and leaders’ professional growth. The findings showed that school leaders’ participation in teacher professional development programs has a positive influence on the capacity …
Teachers' Use Of Wikipedia With Their Students,
2015
Holon Institute of Technology
Teachers' Use Of Wikipedia With Their Students, Hagit Meishar-Tal
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
One of the most impressive phenomena in the creation and dissemination of human knowledge in recent years is Wikipedia, an encyclopedia written collaboratively by Web users. Nevertheless, teachers tend to oppose the use of wikipedia by their students and question its reliability. This paper explore the perceptions of k-12 school teachers in Israel towards the quality of the information in wikipedia and the reasoning they hold for these perceptions. Findings show that most of the teachers perceive Wikipedia as an environment of middling to poor reliability, accuracy, and timeliness. Many teachers do not realize how authoritative information is when generated …
Examining Student Teachers’ Beliefs About Oral Corrective Feedback: Insights From A Teacher Education Program In Turkey,
2015
Gazi University Ankara
Examining Student Teachers’ Beliefs About Oral Corrective Feedback: Insights From A Teacher Education Program In Turkey, Kemal Sinan Ozmen, Hale Ülkü Aydın
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Teachers’ beliefs about language learning and teaching are largely shaped during pre-service teacher education. Although many empirical studies have analyzed various dimensions of how student teachers’ beliefs and practices are formed, the literature is scarce with the research on student teacher’s beliefs about oral corrective feedback. For the field of English language teaching, student teachers’ beliefs about correcting erroneous utterances count for their future instructional choices. Thus, as an uncharted territory of inquiry, this issue merits a scholarly attention. To this end, the present study investigated the stated beliefs and behaviors of 98 nonnative student teachers via various qualitative tools; …
An Investigation Of Teachers’ Awareness And Willingness To Engage With A Self-Directed Professional Development Package On Gifted And Talented Education,
2015
University of Wollongong
An Investigation Of Teachers’ Awareness And Willingness To Engage With A Self-Directed Professional Development Package On Gifted And Talented Education, Kylie T. Fraser-Seeto, Steven J. Howard, Stuart Woodcock
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Despite recognising the importance of educators in meeting the needs of gifted and talented students, research indicates that teachers often lack the essential knowledge, skills and confidence to identify and meet the needs of gifted and talented students. Evidence suggests this lack of preparation may be related to teachers’ professional development. This quantitative study of 96 primary school teachers aimed to provide an initial insight into the knowledge and uptake of the 2005 DEST/GERRIC Gifted and Talented Training Package. It further aimed to give some insight into teachers’ opinions and behaviours as it pertains to this mode of professional development. …
How Does Pre-Service Teacher Preparedness To Use Icts For Learning And Teaching Develop Through Their Degree Program?,
2015
Charles Sturt University
How Does Pre-Service Teacher Preparedness To Use Icts For Learning And Teaching Develop Through Their Degree Program?, Lincoln Gill, Barney Dalgarno, Lauren Carlson
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
It is now well accepted that graduating teachers need the capacity to integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in ways which harness their learning affordances and develop students’ digital literacies. However, effective ICT integration in the classroom is challenging because it requires complex application of technological, pedagogical and content knowledge. A key challenge for teacher educators is the provision of learning experiences at university and on professional placement which will allow pre-service teachers to develop these capacities. Understanding the learning process of pre-service teachers in relation to ICT integration is essential if this teacher education challenge is to be addressed. …
Language Teachers’ Conceptions Of Intelligence And Their Roles In Teacher Care And Teacher Feedback,
2015
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Language Teachers’ Conceptions Of Intelligence And Their Roles In Teacher Care And Teacher Feedback, Reza Pishghadam, Elham Naji Meidani, Gholam Hassan Khajavy
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to find the relationships among teachers’ conceptions of intelligence, teacher care, and teacher feedback in the realm of English Language Teaching (ELT). To this aim, three scales were developed to measure the aforementioned constructs. The participants consisted of 81 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers and their 426 students who were learning English in private language institutes. The scales were validated by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and the correlations among their subscales were investigated. The findings suggested that modularity, increasibility and applied ELT are associated with the nature and amount of teacher …
The Lesson Observation On-Line (Evidence Portfolio) Platform,
2015
University of Wolverhampton
The Lesson Observation On-Line (Evidence Portfolio) Platform, David G. Cooper
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Abstract: At a time when teacher training is being moved to school-based programmes it is important to engage in a research-informed dialogue about creating more distinctive, and cost-effective 21st century models of teacher training. Three years ago I began feasibility field testing the Lesson Observation On-line (Evidence Portfolio) Platform [LOOP] concept (Cooper, 2012). Student-teachers from a university in the Midlands of England were video recorded, with their schools’ permissions, teaching mathematics’ lessons during their second period of teaching experience. The video recorded lessons together with the trainees’ lesson plans, accompanying lesson resources, lesson self-evaluations and snapshots of …
Using Qualitative Research Methods To Assess The Degree Of Fit Between Teachers’ Reported Self-Efficacy Beliefs And Their Practical Knowledge During Teacher Education,
2015
University of Portsmouth
Using Qualitative Research Methods To Assess The Degree Of Fit Between Teachers’ Reported Self-Efficacy Beliefs And Their Practical Knowledge During Teacher Education, Mark Wyatt
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Abstract: There is a need for qualitative research into teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs so that the relationship between these beliefs and other cognitions possessed by teachers, including their practical knowledge, can be better understood by teacher educators. Teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs may need supporting if they seem too low or challenging if they seem too high. However, clear criteria are needed to facilitate assessment, together with the use of rigorous qualitative methods. This article explores these issues while reporting on research conducted in Oman into the cognitions of two in-service English language teachers. There is a focus on how qualitative case study …
Feedback, Iterative Processing And Academic Trust - Teacher Education Students' Perceptions Of Assessment Feedback,
2015
Central Queensland University
Feedback, Iterative Processing And Academic Trust - Teacher Education Students' Perceptions Of Assessment Feedback, Susan E. Davis, Joanne M. Dargusch
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Abstract: Feedback and reflective processes play an important role in learning with both teachers and students required to play active roles. The importance of feedback processes and practices takes on an added dimension in the field of teacher education as the assessment and feedback processes are also professional practices that students themselves will be enacting in their professional roles. To this end, feedback provides opportunities for students to develop their own professional assessment literacy but also draws attention to the role of the teacher-education lecturer or assessor and the roles and relationships involved. This article reports on a research study …
Avoiding Practice Shock: Using Teacher Movies To Realign Pre-Service Teachers’ Expectations Of Teaching,
2015
Northwest University
Avoiding Practice Shock: Using Teacher Movies To Realign Pre-Service Teachers’ Expectations Of Teaching, Jeremy Delamarter
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Pre-service teachers often have unrealistic expectations of teaching. They often create an inspiration/content dichotomy in which they expect relational activities to trump content delivery. Unchecked, these misaligned expectations can lead to practice shock, the disorienting and sometimes traumatic identity crisis that often occurs during the first year of teaching. Teacher preparation programs can use course-based reflective activities to provide structure and impetus for reevaluating expectations. This article studies the effects of these activities on two undergraduate pre-service teachers. Popular Hollywood teacher films were used to confront and challenge candidates’ expectations of teaching. An analytical framework based on Baudrillard’s (1995) simulacra …
