Secondary teachers' conceptual metaphors of teaching and learning: Changes over the career span

Much has been written about the persistence of teacher beliefs upon entering and exiting preservice teacher education programs. Little research has explored teacher beliefs over the career span. Through an online survey instrument teachers (n = 110) choose which teaching metaphors most closely match their own under three conditions: upon first entering the profession, at present, and ideally. Analysis indicates that 63% of teachers changed their conception of teaching over time. While very experienced teachers began teaching with teacher-centered conceptual metaphors, over the course of their careers some move toward student-centered metaphors. Newer teachers have a tendency to begin with and aspire to student-centered conceptual metaphors. Teachers whose metaphors for current and desired practice differed identified obstacles to, and suggestions for, a better fit.     

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTED COGNITIVE APPRENTICESHIP TRANSFORMS THE STUDENT TEACHING FIELD EXPERIENCE: IMPROVING THE STUDENT TEACHING FIELD EXPERIENCE FOR ALL TRIAD MEMBERS

Despite issues of fragmentation, isolation, and disconnection from the university associated with the student teaching field experience, the field experience plays a critical role in teacher education. In this article, the authors provide an overview of eSupervision, a technology-based innovation to improve the student teaching field experience by using cognitive apprenticeship as a framework for its design. They present findings from a pilot study that focused on the effectiveness of the cognitive apprenticeship and technology design elements. Using qualitative methods to analyze interviews of the participants, they found eSupervision functioned to support a cognitive apprenticeship through modeling, scaffolding learning, coaching, and providing opportunities for articulation and reflection within a community of learners. The authors conclude with suggestions for implementation and further research.