Rethinking the literacy capabilities of pre-service primary teachers in testing times
Abstract
This paper demonstrates how teacher accreditation requirements can be responsibly aligned with a scholarly impetus to incorporate digital literacies to prepare pre-service teachers to meet changing educational needs and practices. The assessment initiatives introduced in the newly constructed four year undergraduate Bachelor of Education program at one Australian university are described and analysed in light of the debates surrounding pre-service primary teachers’ literacy capabilities. The findings and subsequent discussion have implications for all literacy teacher educators concerned about the impact of standardised assessment practices on the professional future of teachers.
Reference
Honan, E., Exley, B., Kervin, L., Simpson, A., & Wells, M. (2013). Rethinking the literacy capabilities of pre-service primary teachers in testing times. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 38(10), 48-63.
Journal
Australian Journal of 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
Geographic Setting
Institutional Context
Certification Level
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
- Undergraduates (university based program)
Preservice Sample Size
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
- Digital, multimedia presentation of pre-service teachers' literacy identities
- Writing designed to assess the pre-service teachers' abilities to write explanations, discussion, and descriptions
- Written profile and reflection of a student's engagement with literacies and home and school
Data Analysis Tools
- Analytic Questions for Reading Digital Tasks (Honan, 2012)
- Analytic Questions for Reading Print Based Texts (adapted from Harris et al., 2003)
- Four Resources Model as Framework (Freebody & Luke, 2003)
Researcher Positionality
Research Questions
Could the methods devised be used to analyze the literacy demands of some of the courses offered to pre-service teachers across Australia?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes