Preservice teachers in a literacy methods course consider issues of diversity
Abstract
I describe 3 case studies of young, middle-class European American female preservice teachers' experiences of teaching diverse students literacy while enrolled in my field-based literacy methods course. The case studies focus on the teachers' perceptions of self cultural identities and values, perceptions of diverse students and literacy teaching, and developing abilities to connect their understandings of diversity to teaching diverse students. During field experiences, the preservice teachers taught lessons and interviewed and worked with case study students. During university class sessions, they shared and reflected on their experiences and discussed their attitudes toward differences. The data revealed that the field experiences had a greater impact on 1 preservice teacher than on the other 2 in terms of enhanced capabilities for culturally responsive teaching. The preservice teachers were generally knowledgeable of literacy strategies and children's literature, but there was great variability in their abilities to use skillfully and appropriately strategies and books in teaching. The findings suggest some directions for future research on the education of literacy teachers for diversity.
Reference
Xu, S. H. (2000). Preservice teachers in a literacy methods course consider issues of diversity. Journal of Literacy Research, 32(4), 505-531.
Journal
Journal of Literacy Research
Analysis
Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?
yes
Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?
no
Research Approach
Geographic Setting
- Southwestern United States
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
- undergraduates in a Reading Methods course
Preservice Sample Size
3
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- Autobiographies
- case study report
- Classroom Discussion
- lesson plans
- reflections
Data Analysis Tools
- coding (non-specific)
- Constant comparative analysis
Researcher Positionality
- inside (staying their own students)
Research Questions
How do preservice teachers perceive their own cultural identities and values?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
How do preservice teachers perceive diverse students and literacy teaching?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
How do pre-service teachers apply their understandings of diversity to literacy teaching with diverse students?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes