Browsing by Subject "Pre-service teachers"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    A descriptive study of pre-service science teachers' conceptual understanding of scientific inquiry using concept maps
    (2013-05) Zak, Kevin M.
    Future science teachers serve a critical role in creating a scientifically literate citizenry. Their knowledge and understanding of the process by which science works, scientific inquiry, is fundamental to this goal of science education. This descriptive research study investigated pre-service secondary science teachers' conceptual understanding of scientific inquiry using concept maps. Thirty participants constructed concept maps describing the interrelationships among twelve scientific inquiry concepts. The concept maps were analyzed to determine how participants structured, organized, associated, and described the relationships between these concepts. The majority of participants did organize and associate a chain of inquiry concepts with one another into a scientific method series. Participants displayed an overall low number of associations between the twelve inquiry concepts. Of the concept pairs that were associated with one another, there was a lack of consistency in the linking words used to describe the relationship between them. Implications for science educators in the development and design of teaching about inquiry in pre-service teacher education programs and professional development opportunities are examined. Recommendations for further study into the conceptual understanding of beginning science teachers are also discussed.
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    Motivations of Pre-Service Teachers in Physical Education to Incorporate Outdoor Education in K-12 Physical Education School Programs
    (2012) Kohlin, Patrick M
    There is strong national endorsement for including outdoor adventure and challenge activities in the physical education classroom yet, for whatever reasons, PE practitioners still cling to the traditional sport oriented method of physical education. Still, sports and games remain in the realm of PE and outdoor skills activities remain in the realm of OE. This behavior implies a misperception of where and how to incorporate outdoor education focused physical skills lessons. This study describes how current PE and OE pre-service teachers perceive the PE/OE pre-service landscape, and the motivations leading them to choose one program major over the other. Students who are currently enrolled in degree required courses in either PE or OE teacher preparation programs at the University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Wisconsin Lacrosse and the University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point were surveyed. The findings of this study reveals that there are college student who have an interest in providing outdoor education, but are not particularly interested in teaching it to kids in the formal school setting. And that there are college student who are interested in teaching kids in a formal school setting, but are not be particularly interested in providing outdoor education. Developing students who have both an interest in outdoor education and an interest in teaching in the formal setting is just one important step. Equally important is that all parties invested in the health and well being of our children create an environment within our physical education system that is accepting of outdoor education principles and supportive of its advocates.
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    Pre-service teacher cultural identity development
    (2013-12) Cunningham, Louise Maurella
    The main purpose of this study is to conduct exploratory qualitative research to investigate how PSTs and practicing teachers experience cultural and racial identity development or changes in identity. Rather than examine the "what" or contributors to identity development, I will explore the "how" or processes of identity development as a result of experiences in teacher preparation programs.