Implicit theories of creativity: a comparison of student‐teachers in Hong Kong and Singapore

This study attempts to uncover the beliefs regarding various aspects of creativity among trainee‐teachers in Hong Kong and Singapore. Trainee‐teachers from Hong Kong (N = 188) and Singapore (N = 127) completed a questionnaire on beliefs about creativity. The 30‐item questionnaire covering 15 aspects of beliefs regarding creativity was presented to the respondents as a set of six‐point Likert scales. Through factor analysis, creativity was found to have five dimensions: (1) physiology, (2) generality, (3) culture, (4) individuality and (5) youth. Hong Kong respondents were found to hold more rigid views of creativity than their Singaporean counterparts. In particular, Hong Kong respondents believed more strongly that creativity is dependent on birth order, effort, health, logical thinking and youth and that there is a critical period beyond which creativity may not develop.     

The use of transparency in the ‘Interactive examination’ for student teachers

If the aim of education is for all students to learn and improve, then the expectations must be transparent to the students. In this study, three aspects of transparency are investigated in relation to an examination methodology for student teachers: self‐assessment criteria, a scoring rubric, and exemplars. The examinations studied were carried out in 2004, 2005, and 2006 respectively, all with a cohort of first year student teachers (n = 170, 154, and 138). There was a large difference in scores between the 2004 and 2005 cohorts (d = 3.21), when changes in the examination were implemented. The comparison between 2005 and 2006, when no changes were made, does not show a corresponding difference (d = .27). These results suggest that, by making the assessment more transparent, students’ performances could be greatly improved.     

Expectations and experiences: the voice of a first‐generation first‐year college student and the question of student persistence

This single case study takes a phenomenological approach using the voice centered analysis to analyze qualitative interview data so that the voice of this first‐generation college student is brought forward. It is a poignant voice filled with conflicting emotional responses to the desire for college success, for family stability, for meaningful friendships, and for understanding the self. In combination with other research calling for an expansion of the dominant theory of persistence, this research raises the importance of elevating family relationships in the student persistence model.     

Education and the social order: re‐visioning the legacy of Brian Simon

The movement for the higher education of women in Ireland in the nineteenth century has traditionally been viewed as a Protestant initiative. Scholarship suggests that the Irish campaign developed along the same lines as the English movement, gaining from and growing out of the English advances. Leading Protestant schools for girls have been viewed as the driving force behind the concessions afforded Irish women. This paper challenges this assumption, suggesting that contemporaneous developments in Ireland were driven not by neighbouring reforms but by denominational tensions. The role played by the Catholic teaching orders during the nineteenth century cannot be overlooked. Although initially conservative in their approach to educational provision for girls, the Catholic teaching orders – the Dominican, Loreto and Ursuline orders in particular – were key players and stakeholders in women’s higher education in the latter half of the nineteenth century. This paper explores the objectives of the pioneers of Protestant and Catholic female education, examining the relative influence of the Church of Ireland and the Catholic Church. It explores the possibility that the movement for the higher education of Irish women found its impetus not in gender equality, but in denominational rivalry.     

Lesson planning and the student teacher: re‐thinking the dominant model

The idea of free, universal basic education has been corrupted by neo-liberalism. As the language of economics takes over much of the policy discourse around schooling, school systems are being converted into marketplaces, where schools compete for students and resources. Some studies have reported that this 'marketization' has created or exacerbated socio-economic segregation within the common school; but the curriculum is also affected by the market. Such developments raise important questions!     

Meritocracy through education and social mobility in post‐war Britain: a critical examination

After the Second World War, education in advanced capitalist societies has been perceived as the main ‘saviour’ of the meritocratic ideal. In this paper I will investigate some of the implications of the lasting emphasis that has been placed upon education in Britain, in the pursuit of a more just and equal society. Initially, I will present two main strands of thought vis‐à‐vis meritocracy. I will then show how these different approaches have shaped the pertinent debate. The main line of reasoning will be that the ‘meritocracy through education’ discourse can potentially conceal inequalities and injustices in contemporary market‐driven British society. This contention will be supported by evidence from social mobility research, which clearly indicates that the expansion of educational provision and the increase in educational qualifications of the past 60 years has done little to eliminate social class differences and associated privileges.     

The national survey of student engagement as a predictor of undergraduate GPA: a cross‐sectional and longitudinal examination

Data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) collected across seven years were used to predict final, cumulative grade point averages (GPA). Cross‐product regression was used to explore the predictive abilities of the NSSE benchmark scores for freshmen (n = 2578) and seniors (n = 2293) collected in cross‐sectional cohorts. Hierarchical regression was also used with 127 longitudinal responses in students’ first and senior years of college. In the cross‐sectional analyses, Level of Academic Challenge emerged as a significant predictor of GPA for freshmen, whereas the Active and Collaborative Learning benchmark was a significant predictor for seniors; both effects were modest. The cross‐sectional data explained 22.6% of the variance with 18.2% of this variance accounted for by pre‐college control factors (American College Test score and high school GPA). For the analysis of longitudinal data, 31.3% of the variance was explained and 27.8% was attributed to the pre‐college indicators. No benchmark scores were significant predictors of GPA in the longitudinal data. Results suggest that cross‐sectional analyses can adequately detect modest effects on final GPA. In contrast, longitudinal models explain more variance, though they lack the power to reveal modest effects. This study suggests approaches for the responsible use of cross‐sectional and longitudinal data in educational research.     

SOAP in practice: learning outcomes of a cross‐institutional innovation project conducted by teachers,student teachers,and teacher educators

This paper reports on a case study investigating learning outcomes at the individual and organisational level of a cross‐institutional innovation project based on the SOAP approach. SOAP integrates Schooling of teachers, Organisational development of schools, Action‐ and development‐oriented research, and Professional development of teachers. The innovation project was aimed at combining teachers, student teachers, and teacher educators in an alliance to design and develop new competence‐based vocational educational arrangements for pupils. An inductive qualitative analysis of 37 semi‐structured interviews among the participants revealed seven main categories of individual learning outcomes: attitudes, project design and management, collaboration, action theory, teaching practice, educational principles, and developments within secondary vocational education. Three main categories of organisational learning outcomes were identified: institution‐level learning, project‐level learning, and combining institution‐level and project‐level learning. A tension was identified between the participants’ individual interests in learning and personal development, and the need for organisational learning aimed at improving organisational processes.     

Breaking the didactic circle: a study on some aspects of the promotion of student‐directed learning by teachers and teacher educators

Although there is a fair amount of knowledge on the issue of promoting student‐directed learning, research indicates that teachers are not always able to put that knowledge into practice. Therefore, new educational practices related to student‐directed learning should be introduced in teacher education. This makes it possible to break the didactic circle of traditionally trained teachers, who take the traditional approach to teaching. This article compares the outcomes of 10 + 9 case studies on student‐directed learning, carried out in two different types of secondary education, with the outcomes of 10 case studies on teacher education in respect of four indicators for student‐directed learning. It explores whether teacher educators take the lead with respect to the promotion of student‐directed learning. As the findings show, this is not the case. We found a lack of attention to personal interest‐oriented learning among student teachers, a lack of competence in using various methods of reflection and a lack of competence in discussing pedagogical choices with student teachers. The conclusion is that student‐directed learning should be supported, in both teaching and teacher education, by devoting more attention to the professional development of teacher educators, especially with respect to these three aspects.

Bien que l'on dispose d'une grande somme de connaissances sur la façon de promouvoir l'apprentissage personnalisé, il ressort de l'étude que les enseignants ne sont pas toujours en mesure de mettre concrètement ces informations en ?uvre. C'est pourquoi de nouvelles pratiques d'enseignement liées à l'apprentissage personnalisé devraient être intégrées à la formation des enseignants. Ceci permettrait de briser le cercle didactique des enseignants formés de façon traditionnelle et n'ayant par conséquent qu'une approche traditionnelle de l'enseignement. Dans le présent article sont comparés les résultats de 10 + 9 études de cas sur l'apprentissage personnalisé effectuées dans deux types différents d'enseignement du second cycle à ceux de 10 études de cas sur la formation des enseignants, au regard de quatre indicateurs pour l'apprentissage personnalisé. Il examine si les formateurs d'enseignants parviennent à imposer la promotion de l'apprentissage personnalisé. Il s'avère que non. Nous avons constaté un manque d'attention accordée à l'apprentissage axé sur les centres d'intérêt personnels chez les futurs enseignants, ainsi qu'un déficit de compétences dans l'utilisation de diverses méthodes de réflexion et dans la discussion des choix pédagogiques avec les futurs enseignants. Nous en concluons qu'il faut promouvoir l'apprentissage personnalisé, tant au niveau de l'enseignement que de la formation des enseignants, en accordant une plus grande importance au développement professionnel des formateurs d'enseignants, notamment en ce qui concerne ces trois aspects.

Obwohl das Wissen über die Förderung des schülerorientierten Lernens beträchtlich ist, weisen Forschungsergebnisse aus, dass Lehrer nicht immer in der Lage sind, dieses Wissen in die Praxis umzusetzen. Aus diesem Grunde sollten neue Praxen in den Bildungsgängen der Lehrerausbildung eingeführt werden, die sich auf schülerorientiertes Lernen beziehen. Das bietet die Möglichkeit, den didaktischen Kreis der herkömmlich ausgebildeten Lehrer zu durchbrechen, die sich der herkömmlichen Unterrichtsmethode verschrieben haben. In diesem Artikel werden die Ergebnisse von 10 + 9 Fallstudien über schülerorientiertes Lernen, die in zwei unterschiedlichen Arten der höheren Schulbildung durchgeführt wurden, mit den Ergebnissen von 10 Fallstudien über Lehrerausbildung in Bezug auf vier Indikatoren für schülerorientiertes Lernen verglichen. Damit wird untersucht, ob Lehrerausbilder die Führung übernehmen, wenn es um die Förderung des schülerorientierten Lernens geht. Wie die Ergebnisse zeigen, ist dies nicht der Fall. Wir stellten mangelnde Beachtung des persönlichen interesseorientierten Lernens der Praktikanten, fehlende Kompetenz in der Nutzung unterschiedlicher Reflexionsmethoden und fehlende Kompetenz in der Erörterung pädagogischer Möglichkeiten mit den Praktikanten fest. Die Schlussfolgerung ist, dass schülerorientiertes Lernen im Lehrberuf und in der Lehrerausbildung unterstützt werden sollte, indem der beruflichen Entwicklung von Lehrerausbildern im Hinblick auf diese drei Aspekte mehr Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet wird.

Aunque abundan los conocimientos acumulados sobre el tema de la promoción del aprendizaje dirigido por los estudiantes, de las investigaciones se desprende que los profesores no siempre son capaces de llevar a la práctica estos conocimientos. Por lo tanto, es imprescindible introducir nuevas prácticas educativas relacionadas con el aprendizaje dirigido por los estudiantes en la formación de profesores. Esto permitiría romper el círculo didáctico de los profesores que recibieron una formación tradicional y que utilizan un método tradicional para enseñar. Este artículo compara los resultados de 10 + 9 estudios de caso sobre el aprendizaje dirigido por los estudiantes, que se llevaron a cabo en dos tipos distintos de enseñanza secundaria, con los resultados de 10 estudios de caso sobre la formación de profesores, en función de cuatro indicadores para el aprendizaje dirigido por los estudiantes. El artículo explora si los formadores de profesores toman la delantera en la promoción del aprendizaje dirigido por los estudiantes. De los resultados se deduce que éste no es el caso. Descubrimos una falta de interés por el aprendizaje orientado hacia los intereses personales entre los estudiantes para profesores, una falta de competencia a la hora de utilizar distintos métodos de reflexión y una falta de competencia a la hora de debatir sobre las opciones pedagógicas con los estudiantes para profesores. De todo ello se concluye que se debe apoyar el aprendizaje dirigido por los estudiantes, tanto en la enseñanza como en la formación de profesores, prestando más atención al desarrollo profesional de los formadores de profesores, especialmente en lo que respecta a estos tres aspectos.     

Joining the goblins: fictional narratives and the development of student‐teachers’ reflection on practice in the further education sector

This paper explores ways in which student‐teachers in the Lifelong Learning sector are able to draw on fictionalised accounts of their own teaching practice experiences in order to gain a clearer understanding of their models and expectations of professionalism, and of how they, as individuals, locate their current position within the profession as a community of practice. It argues that the translation of experience into fiction – in this case specifically in the form of fairy tales – can be usefully applied in order to enhance and encourage reflection on practice as part of an action research cycle. Drawing on the evidence gathered, the paper goes on to suggest that student teachers’ main preoccupation at this stage of their development is not so much with meeting ‘standards’ of professionalism as with questions of behaviours and practices that will lead to a sense of belonging and acceptance; and with the need to transform their status, in relation to the profession, from that of outsider to insider.     

Teaching at the border of despair and hope: supporting the education of non‐traditional working class student teachers

This study focuses on a group of working class adult students' experiences and reactions to their encounters during a foundational series of university courses required of all preprofessional education students. It finds that sharing stressful events and personal information during analytical discussions led to the development of a collegial learning community and added to participants' respect for difference and diversity. The study also finds that these non‐traditional undergraduates viewed their own academic learning experience, as well as their role as college students, through a standpoint of struggle and distress. However, their future professional goal, being a teacher, was defined from an opposite point of view. Education and learning as a profession was viewed as a liberating experience, a way out of poverty and other stressful conditions. The dissonance between these two perspectives is explored from a variety of theoretical perspectives and the discussion ends with a call for more inclusive and flexible university programs that support working class and non‐traditional students' perspectives and needs.     

Striving for social sensitivity: the impact of a social justice project on student teachers’ understanding of pupils from socially disadvantaged backgrounds

This paper considers the concerning issue of social disadvantage in N. Ireland schools and suggests that the majority of those entering the teaching profession are ill-equipped to empathise with pupils in disadvantaged areas and thus less enabled to offer effective pastoral care. It argues that this lack of preparedness stems from backgrounds very different to that of these pupils and also from an initial teacher education which does not provide a systematic practical experience in schools in ‘challenging’ areas. The paper briefly outlines a small-scale ITE social justice project undertaken at Stranmillis University College, Belfast designed to provide such experience and, citing specific evidence from data gathered in a recent evaluation, offers it as a model of preparing student-teachers to better understand the realities of their pupils’ lives through extended pre-service contact.     

Initial Teacher Training in the Post‐reform Period: a sample of student opinion in England and France

Courses of initial teacher training have recently undergone profound changes in England and France. In both countries, radical reform has swept away traditional models of practice, replacing them by systems in which schools play an increased role in the training and assessment of students and in which a new emphasis has been placed on the practicalities of teaching. In the turbulent aftermath of these reforms, how do trainees see the new programmes that aim to equip them with the necessary skills and attributes to become successful entrants to the teaching profession? This article compares and analyses the views of English and French trainees in the final months of their respective courses and identifies key areas of similarity and difference between the two systems.     

Students as ‘catalysts’ in the classroom: the impact of co‐teaching between science student teachers and primary classroom teachers on children's enjoyment and learning of science

This study is an investigation of the impact of collaborative teaching by student‐teachers and classroom teachers on children’s enjoyment and learning of science. The paper describes findings from a project in which undergraduate science specialist student‐teachers were placed in primary schools where they ‘co‐taught’ investigative science and technology with primary teachers. Almost six months after the student placement, a survey of children’s attitudes to school science revealed that these children enjoyed science lessons more and showed fewer gender or age differences in their attitudes to science than children who had not been involved in the project. The authors discuss how this model of collaborative planning, teaching and evaluation can both enhance teacher education and improve children’s experience of science.     

The EHE‐EMSAT Project: the development of awareness of electronic mail among student teachers

ABSTRACT

This paper reports the results of a one‐year project designed to develop the awareness of 291 student teachers in the area of electronic mail (e‐mail). The project was successful in increasing the active use of e‐mail and the general awareness of students: the number of active users rose from 17 to 33%, and the number of those able to explain e‐mail to a colleague rose from 12 to 45%. Case study material is presented to illustrate the conditions under which the development of e‐mail flourished with one particular group of modern languages student teachers. Conclusions are drawn concerning the utility of the cascade model of curriculum development in extending electronic communication.     

Learning‐to‐learn and learning‐to‐teach: the impact of disciplinary subject study on student‐teachers’ professional identity

A coherent view of student‐teachers’ preparation and the learning experiences to which they are exposed are key to sustaining the relevance of university‐based teacher‐education programmes. Arguably, such coherence is lacking and the research base to an understanding of the student‐teacher experience is still a relatively limited one. This paper takes the view that student‐teachers’ epistemological growth is a key component of their professional development, their sense of identity as intending teachers, and their successful entry into a teaching career. In adopting a phenomenographic approach it explores a chain of evidence which demonstrates that immersion in the processes of learning and knowing, within a specific disciplinary context, had a significant impact on students’ emerging professional identities and on their values as teachers which extends beyond the subject matter itself. Arguably, the findings of this case‐study hold important implications for a teacher‐education programme and for effective pedagogic practice.     

The Use of the Internet in Science Teaching: A longitudinal study of developments in use by student‐teachers in England

This paper reports on a longitudinal study of developments in use of the Internet by science student‐teachers on Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) courses in five higher education institution–school partnerships in England. These are 1‐year, full‐time, teacher training courses for graduate scientists. The aim of the research was to examine changes in attitudes to, and use of, the Internet to support science teaching and the perceived challenges and barriers to practice in schools, against a background of high national expectations reflected in the qualification standards of the teacher education courses. The research has involved nearly 600 student‐teachers, representing between 7% and 8% of those training on PGCE science courses in England, and has employed mixed methods, with questionnaires serving as the main basis for analysing trends, and focus groups and case studies used to gain deeper insight to the particular issues identified. The process has been an iterative one, with the outcomes of each year’s research being used to inform further research and course developments in the institutions involved. The findings indicate that attitudes and confidence in use of the Internet have improved over the period, with evidence of increased application directly in the classroom. However, in addition to some of the generic technological issues that may hinder developments in the use of Information and Communication Technology in schools, there are continuing concerns relating to limited pedagogical guidance and availability of good role models. The implications of this for developments in science teacher education programmes are discussed.     

Privatization and sponsorship: the re‐agenting of the school system in England 1

In this article I use the concept of ‘re‐agenting’ to explore and explain the role of non‐state agencies, principally private companies and business entrepreneurs, as key instruments in the government’s transformation of the school system in England. Their role takes both for‐profit and not‐for‐profit forms. The outsourcing to private companies of the implementation of government education policies and the delivery of educational services to schools and local authorities has created a profitable market. Equally significant is the growing involvement of the private sector in schools through the sponsorship of specialist schools and Academies on a non‐profit basis.