Developing future professionals: Influences of literacy coursework and field experiences

Many educators suggest that proof is essential for the learning of mathematics and should be placed at the centre of school mathematics. However, research has indicated that many teachers have counterproductive beliefs about proof which limit students’ learning opportunities of proof. A design-based research study was carried out to develop an intervention aiming to promote pre-service teachers’ beliefs about proof and proof teaching. The study involved four research cycles; each cycle consisted of design, implementation, evaluation and revision of the intervention. The intervention evolved over cycles. This paper focuses on the analysis of the fourth research cycle, regarding the conditions for change in pre-service teachers’ beliefs about proof and proof teaching. Twenty-seven Hong Kong pre-service primary and secondary school mathematics teachers participated in the intervention and experienced cognitive conflict, leading to the development of more productive beliefs about proof and proof teaching. Drawing on the analysis of the data from a subset of the participants (n = 12), this paper argues that pre-service teachers must have positive emotions about proof and a sense of practicality as necessary conditions of adopting ideas of implementing proof in their classrooms, suggesting the importance of affective aspects of cognitive conflict in belief change. Implications for initial teacher education are discussed in this article.

Introduction: Although there is ambiguity about the elements of teacher knowledge, all researchers accept that being able to anticipate what errors can be made, the reasons for and the strategies to overcome these errors, in short, the knowledge of students is important for student achievement. In this study, knowledge of students refers to being aware of students’ possible errors and underlying reasons for these errors and knowing how to overcome these errors. Based on this consideration, the purpose of this study is to investigate pre-service elementary teachers’ knowledge of students on the subtraction topic. Methods: Considering the purpose, the data were collected from 118 pre-service elementary teachers who were enrolled in a four-year Elementary Teacher Education program via a task-based questionnaire related to the topic of subtraction and semi-structured interviews following the questionnaire. The task-based questionnaire included three completed incorrect subtraction tasks and was prepared considering the related literature and the elementary school mathematics curriculum of Turkey. Each task in the questionnaire contained a different type of error. The pre-service elementary teachers’ answers to the task-based questionnaire were categorized as correct, partially correct, wrong, or no answer by means of categorical analysis. The pre-service elementary teachers who gave correct and partially correct answers to the tasks were asked to participate in the second part of the study to learn their possible strategies to overcome the errors made in the tasks. Results: As a result of the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the pre-service elementary teachers’ responses, it was found that their knowledge of students for subtraction is limited. Specifically, although the pre-service elementary teachers were partially able to identify the errors in the first and second task, they were not able to identify the error in the third task. Furthermore, they were better able to determine a more commonly occurring subtraction error compared to the uncommon ones. The pre-service elementary teachers could not identify the underlying reasons that led the students to the errors. They could not explain what conceptual knowledge related to the topic of subtraction the student lacked that resulted in the errors. As the pre-service teachers did not attain these reasons, they were not able to provide strategies to overcome these errors different than restating the rules or procedures to overcome students’ errors. Discussion: Only being able to identify the errors is not enough to make the instruction effective. Teachers also need to know and provide a rationale for why the errors happen and how to overcome them (Even & Tirosh, 1995). Contrary to this statement, the pre-service elementary teachers in this study could not attempt to understand the students’ thinking or could not explain the reasons behind students’ errors with the notion of subtraction. Son (2013) emphasizes that pre-service teachers tend to explain the reasons for students’ errors as procedural. Similar to this emphasis, the pre-service teachers identified the errors as resulting from not applying procedures carefully or not enough knowing algorithms to find correct solutions. However, without addressing the reasons or focusing on procedures does not promote students’ understanding of the related topic (An, Kulm, & Wu, 2004). The pre-service teachers’ difficulties in identifying the possible conceptual reasons may result from deficits in knowledge of students (Fennema & Franke, 1992; Ball et al., 2008). Limitations: The findings were limited with the responses of the pre-service elementary teachers participating in this study. Moreover, the pre-service elementary teachers’ knowledge of students was investigated within the scope of subtraction. Conclusions: Although the pre-service elementary teachers could identify students’ errors on subtraction, they had difficulty in identifying the reasons and suggesting strategies to overcome the errors. Therefore, it can be concluded that the pre-service teachers’ knowledge of students for the topic of subtraction is limited. An implication of this is that teacher educators need to include error-analysis tasks to help pre-service teachers be aware of the importance of their knowledge of students.

The overall goal of this study was to explore the influence of situated learning experiences on pre-service teachers' perceptions and understandings of their future Arab students. This study investigated in part the interaction between culturally diverse families and pre-service teachers. It also explored changes in pre-service teachers’ attitudes and knowledge, their perceived applications of the situated experience to their future teaching, and the families’ reactions to this experience. Twelve Arab families volunteered to host 25 pre-service teachers as participants of this study. Results showed that the situated learning experience helped the pre-service teachers develop their cultural knowledge as well as learn about Arab families, Arab culture, and their future classrooms. The study concluded that the experience helped the pre-service teachers gain new knowledge, positive attitudes, and some ideas for their future diverse classrooms. It offered a great opportunity for families to explore how important it is to meet with teachers and it also empowered pre-service teachers with some powerful authentic experiences including meeting the family, sharing their knowledge, exploring their understandings, and discussing and comparing their knowledge with each other.

The purpose of this study was to examine how preservice teachers' learning about learning theories influences their beliefs about learning within the context of an introductory educational psychology course. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate preservice teachers' learning experiences and beliefs about learning. As the findings indicate, preservice teachers had stronger beliefs in constructivism, less strong beliefs in cognitive theory, and the least strong beliefs in behaviorism from the beginning to the end of the semester. In other words, their existing beliefs were more oriented toward a learner-centered versus a teacher-centered perspective. Change in preservice teachers' beliefs about learning requires a catalyst, and this catalyst was not provided by the instructor. These existing beliefs were being reinforced throughout the course because the instructor did not provide any critical examination or questioning of constructivist theory nor provide other obvious benefits to other theories. In the end, this research offers two implications for (a) teaching an effective educational psychology course and (b) learning from this course and research.

This study aimed to assess pre-service teachers’ knowledge base of teaching and the extent they perceive and reflect its implementation in a microteaching course. Employing mixed-methods design, the study involved pre-service teachers in a state university in Special Territory of Yogyakarta. The quantitative data were collected from a test on the pre-service teachers’ understanding of teacher knowledge base of teaching and a survey of their perceptions towards the implementation of teacher knowledge base of teaching in their microteaching practices. The qualitative data were gathered from the pre-service teachers’ reflections. The findings showed that despite the overall good test score average of the pre-service teachers’ knowledge base of teaching and the generally positive self-rating perceptions, the pre-service teachers’ limited and descriptive reflections did not sufficiently depict their actual implementation of teacher knowledge base of teaching in their microteaching practices.

The literature highlights the significance of media literacy instruction in pre-service teacher education period, but there are few attempts to develop and implement curricula to this end. This action research study aimed to report the steps to adapt ‘the media literacy skills curriculum design’ for pre-service teachers, which was developed for face-to-face education environments, to an online learning management system in line with emergency remote teaching amid Covid-19 pandemic, and report the results of curriculum evaluation. The study adopted ‘The Curriculum Development through Action Research Model’. The participants were pre-service teachers at an education faculty of a state university in Turkey. The quantitative data were collected through Media Literacy Skills Scale and qualitative data were collected using several forms, rubrics, and reflection tools. The study revealed that the implementation of the media literacy skills curriculum had a strong positive effect on pre-service teachers’ levels of media literacy skills. The study also revealed changes in pre-service teachers’ perceptions of media and media literacy, interactions with media, as well as certain areas for curriculum development in terms of contents, teaching-learning experiences, and assessment components of the curriculum. The study discusses the results and offers implications for media literacy education in pre-service teacher education.

In order to carry out current reforms regarding algebra and technology in elementary school mathematics successfully, pre-service elementary mathematics teachers must be equipped with adequate understandings of algebraic concepts and self-confidence in using computers for their future teaching. This paper examines the differences in preservice teachers’ misconceptions of algebra and their attitudes towards using computers in teaching mathematics between computer-assisted instruction and lecture instruction. The results of the study suggest that pre-service teachers in both instructions have similar algebraic misconceptions and attitudes about teaching mathematics with computers. Even though there was no significant difference in algebraic misconceptions and beliefs about integrating computers into teaching mathematics between the participants in computer-assisted instruction and lecturebased instruction, both instructions were effective to increase pre-service teachers’ knowledge of parentheses usage, symbolism, and equality and attitudes of using computer in teaching mathematics in terms of confident and liking. It is recommended that more attention should be paid to teaching and learning algebra with computer-supported instruction in mathematics teacher education programs so that pre-service teachers gain experience in integrating technology into classrooms.

Positioning preservice teachers’ reflections and I-positions in the context of teaching practicum: A dialogical-self theory approach

This article draws on a recently completed study in which preservice teachers identify aspects of their initial teacher education that act as hindrances or aids to developing reflectivity. It articulates the concept that reflection must be seen not as something to be done or acquired but rather as a disposition or way of being. Also identified are key components of preservice teacher education that confront initial reliance on technique and tools and contribute to change from technicist to authentic reflective practice. Preservice teachers' initial and influential beliefs and practices related to teaching are well established in the literature. However, this study clearly indicates that they have equally influential beliefs and practices related to learning and what it means to learn. These beliefs and practices influence the degree to which preservice teachers access desired learning outcomes within coursework and, therefore, the process of becoming reflective.

In a rapidly changing and challenging world, teachers as influential social agents can play an important and promising role to guide through but also bring about positive change to individuals and society as a whole. This potential stresses the importance of professionalization of teachers and the need for elaborate learning settings to equip (future) teachers as psychologically literate and reflective practitioners who systematically reflect and integrate practice and (psychological) theory. As part of the preservice teachers’ psychology curriculum, we implemented a theory–practice learning setting in their educational foundation studies that aims at fostering preservice teachers’ psychological literacy. Specifically, to reflect their own and other's behavior and to apply their psychological knowledge of learning and counseling principles into real-life counseling sessions. This study addresses the didactical concept of teaching psychology to non-psychology students and the results from its evaluation. In a quasi-experimental pre-posttest design with comparison group ( Nintervention = 46; Ncomparison = 102), we analyzed the effects of the seminar on the preservice teachers’ reflexivity, their beliefs about the theory–practice relationship and their agency. Results indicate that beliefs about the theory–practice relationship and the levels of reflection significantly increase through the practice task in the intervention group, but reflexivity and agency does not.

This paper summarises the outcomes of research that recorded and interpreted change in pre-service teachers’ pedagogical beliefs when immersed in unique synchronous networked collaboration. The pre-service teachers were involved in the design and implementation of synchronous networked tasks, supported by the theoretical and pragmatic application of ‘informed’ Information and Communications Technology (ICT) integration. The pre-service teachers’ use of digital technology graduated from a didactic, broadcast delivery of information to more constructivist strategies that involved interaction, collaboration and ‘good’ learning. Moreover, the pre-service teachers gained competencies during a 12-week programme that led to the development of a suggested framework for ICT task development able to effectively promote and support improvements in learning.

Beliefs and emotions are intricately connected. This study first investigated changes in pre-service teachers’ emotional intelligence (EI) over three years of initial teacher education. It then examined the relationship between EI and cultural beliefs (i.e., multicultural and egalitarian beliefs), and the stability of these associations across time. The study used data collected from two cohorts in eight Finnish universities using an online survey at the beginning of the first study year (N = 2141) and in the third study year (N = 654). The results suggested that the cohorts differed in the mean scores for managing emotions and using emotions , but there was no meaningful change in any of the ability EI branches over time. Further, the initial positive association between EI and multicultural beliefs had weakened by the third study year. These associations can be explained by the stability the constructs exhibited over time. This study underscores the intentional integration of EI training and culturally responsive pedagogy into teacher education curricula.

Self-efficacy beliefs that relate to teachers’ motivation and performance have been an important area of concern for preservice teacher education. Research suggests high-quality science coursework has the potential to shape preservice teachers’ science self-efficacy beliefs. However, there are few studies examining the relationship between science self-efficacy beliefs and science content knowledge. The purpose of this mixed methods study is to investigate changes in preservice teachers’ science self-efficacy beliefs and science content knowledge and the relationship between the two variables as they co-evolve in a specialized science content course. Results from pre- and post-course administrations of the Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument-B (Bleicher, 2004) and a physical science concept test along with semi-structured interviews, classroom observations and artifacts served as data sources for the study. The 18 participants belonged to three groups representing low, medium and high initial levels of self-efficacy beliefs. A repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance design was used to test the significance of differences between the pre- and post-surveys across time. Results indicated statistically significant gains in participants’ science self-efficacy beliefs and science conceptual understandings. Additionally, a positive moderate relationship between gains in science conceptual understandings and gains in personal science teaching efficacy beliefs was found. Qualitative analysis of the participants’ responses indicated positive shifts in their science teacher self-image and they credited their experiences in the course as sources of new levels of confidence to teach science. The study includes implications for preservice teacher education programs, science teacher education, and research.

Fostering preservice teachers’ openness to educational theory and self-regulation as elements of their epistemic reflective competence: Results from a mixed-methods intervention study in Austria

Race-focused teacher education has centered on changing preservice teachers’ racial beliefs and attitudes. In this article, we build on this work by exploring how preservice teachers identify and address issues of race and racism in the everyday work of teaching and learning. To conceptualize these processes, we propose the theoretical framework of “racial noticing,” which extends the literature on teacher noticing to the consideration of racial phenomena. Using a comparative case study design, this study focuses on three elementary preservice teachers (two identifying as White, one identifying as Black) with antiracist inclinations. Findings show that they demonstrated generally strong competencies with racial noticing during a mathematics methods course, but that contextual factors influenced shifts in racial noticing during student teaching. We argue that race-focused teacher education centered on noticing the impact of race and racism in learning settings can make the practice of antiracist teaching more tractable for preservice teachers.