Finding out more about teacher candidates’ prior knowledge: Implications for teacher educators

Abstract

While it is recognised that prior knowledge is a key factor in determining future learning, its influence on learning to teach is less well known. This study investigates two cohorts of teacher candidates studying for a one-year, graduate qualification for primary teaching, who completed two tasks at entry to their initial teacher education programme: a task in writing and a task in mathematics. The tasks focused on teacher candidates' ability to recognise the key features of a piece of student work. The teacher candidates' responses to the tasks highlighted the diverse nature of the prior knowledge that underpinned their responses. The study raises questions about the pedagogy of initial teacher education, particularly in relation to the assumptions teachers educators make about the candidates they teach. The findings suggest that the prior knowledge that students bring to initial teacher education is both a resource and a challenge for teacher educators.

Reference

Ell, F., Hill, M., & Grudnoff, L. (2012). Finding out more about teacher candidates' prior knowledge: Implications for teacher educators. Asia-Pacific Journal Of Teacher Education, 40(1), 55-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1359866X.2011.643760

Journal

Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education

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

none stated

Geographic Setting

New Zealand

Institutional Context

University based

Certification Level

Programatic Focus

not stated

Research Location Context

University

Preservice Participants

Post bachs (university based program)

Preservice Sample Size

103

Duration of Data Collection

More than 1 year

Data Sources

Bell and Cowie (2002) model
retrospective notes
student work

Data Analysis Tools

coding to a prior categories
verification of quality ratings

Researcher Positionality

Inside (studying their own programs)

Research Questions

"Do teacher candidates have prior knowledge of subjects, students and learning that allows them to recognise the key features of the student work before they begin initial teacher education? " (p. 59)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes