Assessing reflective thinking: Pre‐service teachers’ and professors’ perceptions of an oral examination

Abstract

This paper investigates the role questioning occupies in an oral examination as it relates to King and Kitchener’s theory of critical, reflective thinking. Pre-service teachers’ experience of sitting an oral examination and professors’ reflections on conducting the assessment in a small liberal arts university are considered. Findings from this research reflect upon the learning process in an oral examination and review the relationship between the examiners’ probing questions and the assessment of reflective thinking in pre-service teachers.

Reference

Badger, J. (2010). Assessing reflective thinking: Pre‐service teachers’ and professors’ perceptions of an oral examination. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 17(1), 77-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09695940903076022

Journal

Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice

Analysis

Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?

Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?

Research Approach

Pragmatic (mixed methods)

Geographic Setting

Southeast of the United States

Institutional Context

University based

Certification Level

Secondary

Programatic Focus

Research Location Context

University

Preservice Participants

M.Ed. program
Undergraduates (university based program)

Preservice Sample Size

Other Participant Data

Teacher Educators

Duration of Data Collection

3 months or less

Data Sources

Interviews
Survey

Data Analysis Tools

Conceptual model used as analysis framework

Researcher Positionality

Inside (studying their own programs)

Research Questions

What are "students’ and professors’ perceptions of a summative oral examination as it pertains to the conceptualisation and development of critical, reflective thinking in six stages"? (p.77)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Combination

To what extent do "examiners’ probing questions determine and foster reflective thinking skills in students"? (p.77)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Combination