Helping preservice teachers develop habits of inquiry: Can it be done?
Abstract
This exploratory study examined the feasibility of (a) a reading methods course promoting habits of inquiry in preservice teachers and (b) using "video cases" as a means of both promoting habits of inquiry and measuring the extent to which a preservice teacher has developed the dimensions of inquiry-based teaching. Three dimensions of inquiry were identified: the ability to describe the pertinent facts of a situation, the ability to analyze and synthesize the facts, and the ability to demonstrate intelligent action and further experimentation. Prior to a methods course in reading and then again after completing the methods course, preservice teachers were shown a video case of a struggling reader and asked to rate the reader's ability, explain why they rated her as they did, and tell what they would do if they were to work with this reader in the future. Both quantitative and qualitative data indicated that preservice teachers made significant improvement in all three dimensions of inquiry upon completing the reading methods course. Lastly, video cases proved to be an excellent way of measuring the dimensions of inquiry as well as showing curricular potential at promoting inquiry.
Reference
Smith, M. (2005). Helping preservice teachers develop habits of inquiry: Can it be done?. Reading Research and Instruction, 45(1), 39-68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19388070509558441
Journal
Reading 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
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
- Literacy methods course
- University
Preservice Participants
- Undergraduates (university based program)
Preservice Sample Size
5
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
Data Analysis Tools
- Deductive analysis
- Descriptive Analysis
- rubric for data analysis
Researcher Positionality
- inside (staying their own students)
Research Questions
Can preservice teachers be taught habits of inquiry in a reading
methods course?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
Can video cases serve as a means for promoting inquiry in preservice
teachers?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
Can video cases serve as the means for measuring preservice teachers'
development on dimensions of inquiry-based teaching?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes