“A necessary part of good teaching”: Using book clubs to develop preservice teachers’ visions of self.
Abstract
This study examined how the use of book clubs in a literacy methods class informed preservice, elementary teachers' visions of self as literacy teachers. Teachers began the study with the vision of teaching students the reading and writing skills they were weakest in. Teachers though transformed their visions to include culturally responsive teaching, becoming an activist, and creating spaces for struggling readers and writers to grow. However, the majority believed that it was important to utilize the pedagogical practices that were demanded by the schools they would work in so they could fit in and be identified as a good teacher. Teachers indicated that they would forgo their visions, engage in sub-standard literacy practices, and knowingly marginalize students, to obtain a positive professional identity.
Reference
Hall, L. A. (2009). “A necessary part of good teaching”: Using book clubs to develop preservice teachers’ visions of self. Literacy Research and Instruction, 48, 298-317. doi: 10.1080/19388070802433206
Journal
Literacy Research and Instruction
Analysis
Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?
no
Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?
no
Research Approach
Geographic Setting
- University in the southern U.S.
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
- Reading and language arts methods course
Preservice Participants
- Undergraduates (university based program)
Preservice Sample Size
58
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- Classroom Discussion
- final response papers
- pre- and post-questionnaires
- Small group discussion
- written responses
Data Analysis Tools
- Qualitative Analysis
- time-ordered matrix
Researcher Positionality
- Outside (not directly invested in the program or operations)
Research Questions
“How do preservice teachers’ experiences in a book club inform their visions of self as literacy teachers?”
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes