Field experiences in teacher education: the perceptions and qualities of written reflections
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the Pre-service Teachers’ (PSTs’) field experience-related perceptions and the qualities of their written reflections. Two thousand four hundred journal entries written by 75 teacher candidates were analyzed to classify their qualities. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with all of the subjects. The results showed that the largest proportion of the written entries was classified as technical. Only a small percentage of the subjects reached the highest level of reflection called as transformative. During the field experiences, the PSTs had mainly self, cooperating teachers, and student-related issues and perceptions. At the end of the field experiences, they recommended to start the practicum courses from the first year of the faculty and to increase the weekly hours of these courses. It is important to note that the PSTs need additional knowledge and practices about the reflection, reflective writing, and the qualities of reflection.
Reference
Ulusoy, M. (2016, March 16). Field experiences in teacher education: the perceptions and qualities of written reflections. Teaching in Higher Education. Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2016.1160215
Journal
Teaching in Higher Education
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
- field placements (not related to methods courses)
Preservice Participants
- undergraduate preservice teachers
Preservice Sample Size
75
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
Data Analysis Tools
- coding (non-specific)
- Thematic analysis
- Ward and McCotter's Rubric (2004)
Researcher Positionality
- inside (staying their own students)
Research Questions
"How can the PSTs' reflection qualities be classified?" (p.537)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
"What are the PSTs' before-during-and-after the field experience-related reflections and perceptions?" (p.539)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes