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?
no
Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?
no
Research Approach
- Phenomenological
- Qualitiative
Geographic Setting
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
- Culturally, Linguistically, and Ability Diverse Students
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
- undergraduate preservice teachers
Preservice Sample Size
163
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
Data Analysis Tools
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