The Writing Experiences and Beliefs of Secondary Teacher Candidates
Abstract
Surveys the attitudes and beliefs about writing of 124 secondary teacher candidates enrolled in a secondary content area literacy course at a midwestern university. The candidates were asked to complete pre-, mid-, post-, and follow-up surveys about their writing attitudes and beliefs as well as the strategies they have for integrating writing into future instruction. Analysis of survey data revealed that candidates with high writing enjoyment enjoyed creative, relevant, and personal writing, and had more positive writing experiences in middle and high school than those with low writing enjoyment. In contrast, candidates with low writing enjoyment disliked many aspects of writing, including the time it took to gather, organize, and analyze information.
Reference
Daisey, P. (2009). The Writing Experiences and Beliefs of Secondary Teacher Candidates. Teacher Education Quarterly, 36(4), 157-172.
Journal
Teacher Education Quarterly
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
- Post bachs (university based program)
- Undergraduates (university based program)
Preservice Sample Size
124
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
Data Analysis Tools
- Constant comparative analysis
- Inductive analysis
- Statistical analysis
Researcher Positionality
- inside (staying their own students)
Research Questions
What were the past writing experiences of secondary teacher candidates who reported enjoying writing throughout their lives versus those teacher candidates who reported not enjoying writing?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
What were the current attitudes and beliefs about writing of these two groups of teacher candidates (High Writing Enjoyment versus Low Writing Enjoyment)?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown
How did these two groups of teacher candidates (HWE, LWE) change their attitudes and beliefs during a required
secondary content area literacy course?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown
What predictions do secondary teacher candidates in both these groups make about integrating writing into
future instruction after completing a required content area literacy course?
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Unknown