Engaging public issues through dialogue journals: Pre-service teachers and elementary students read and respond.
Abstract
In a qualitative study, 50 pre-service teachers were partnered with 50 elementary students to write each other in dialogue journals responding to texts on public issues. Based upon our analysis of the journals, written reflections from pre-service teachers, and interviews with the elementary teachers in the project, three findings emerged: student motivation for reading and writing increased, both types of students gained perspective consciousness, and elementary teachers found meaningful ways to integrate social studies with language arts. These findings suggest multiple avenues for future research surrounding dialogue journals, student engagement with public issues texts, and teacher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Reference
Camicia, S. P., & Read, S. (2011). Engaging public issues through dialogue journals: Pre-service teachers and elementary students read and respond. Social Studies Research and Practice, 6(1), 21-34.
Journal
Social Studies Research and Practice
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
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
Preservice Sample Size
50
Other Participant Data
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- dialogue journal
- reflections
- semi-structured interviews
Data Analysis Tools
- Constant comparative analysis
Researcher Positionality
- Inside (preservice/inservice teacher studying their own practice)
- Inside (studying their own practices)
Research Questions
How do elementary students read and wrote about public
issues with adults?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Combination
How can a dialogue journal activity help preservice teachers understand the reading, writing, and perspectives of elementary students, and as a result, how to respond to their elementary student partners?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Combination
What are the ways in which dialogue journals can increase integration between language arts and social studies in the elementary school curriculum?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Combination