Literature in decline? Differences in pre-service and in-service primary school teachers’ reading experiences

Abstract

In a qualitative investigation informed by phenomenological hermeneutics, we analyzed 249 narratives in which Norwegian pre-service and in-service teachers describe themselves as literature readers. Generally, the in-service teachers have read more than the pre-service teachers. The analysis indicates a development whereby teachers who “unconditionally appreciate” literature, are about to disappear. Instead, literature reading is experienced as being too difficult to cope with, and therefore increasingly opted out of or not prioritized. In the final section, we discuss how the status and function of literature in school can be maintained in the presence of the continuous decline in teachers’ reading.

Reference

Skaar, H., Elvebakk, L., & Nilssen, J. H. (2018). Literature in decline? Differences in pre-service and in-service primary school teachers' reading experiences. Teaching and Teacher Education, 69, 312-323.

Journal

Teaching and 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

Phenomenological
Qualitiative

Geographic Setting

Norway

Institutional Context

University based

Certification Level

early childhood

Programatic Focus

Culturally, Linguistically, and Ability Diverse Students

Research Location Context

Literacy methods course

Preservice Participants

undergraduate preservice teachers

Preservice Sample Size

163

Duration of Data Collection

5 weeks

Data Sources

Reading histories

Data Analysis Tools

Qualitative Analysis

Researcher Positionality

inside (staying their own students)

Research Questions

Are there differences in what in-service and pre-service teachers have read?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes

Are there differences in how their reading has developed throughout their lives?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes

Are there differences in how they relate to and experience literature?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes