scholarly journals Co-teaching as a clinical model of student teaching : perceptions of preparedness for first year teaching

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Abby Volmer

College of Education faculty members at the University of Central Missouri found that public school teachers and administrators from surrounding schools were reluctant to hand over classrooms of students to novice teachers for student teaching. With high stakes accountability for test scores, teachers voiced their need to be present in the classroom, particularly during spring semester of statewide testing (Diana, 2014). The university adopted a co-teaching model of student teaching to prepare its teaching candidates for the first year of teaching while allowing the cooperating teacher to stay in the classroom throughout the student teaching term. The problem-of-practice addressed in this study focuses on the need to determine if a co-teaching student teacher model provides university students an adequate amount of clinical experience and preparation to support a successful first year of teaching. The purpose of this study is two-fold: 1) analyze the perceptions of former and current student teachers, cooperating teachers, and university supervisors on the co-teaching model of student teaching and 2) assess the model's effectiveness in preparing student teachers for their first year of teaching. To this end, the research questions are as follows: Research Question 1. What are the perceptions of University of Central Missouri current and former student teachers on the co-teaching student-teaching model's ability to prepare student teachers for their first year of teaching? Research Question 2. What are the perceptions of University of Central Missouri university supervisors on the co-teaching student-teaching model's ability to prepare student teachers for their first year of teaching? Research Question 3. What are the perceptions of cooperating teachers on the co-teaching student- teaching model's ability to prepare student teachers for their first year of teaching? The research questions were answered through an analysis of the data collected via a quantitative survey followed by a qualitative interview. The quantitative survey asked respondents to rate items on a Likert-type scale (Fink, 2013) as to how well they perceived the co-teaching model of student teaching prepares student teachers to meet Missouri Teaching Standards. The qualitative survey asked respondents to discuss their perceptions of how well the co-teaching model of student teaching prepares student teachers for their first year of teaching based on their personal experience. The responses indicated that the co-teaching model scored higher in first year teacher preparation by elementary teachers and elementary supervisors than by secondary teachers and supervisors. Responses also indicated that student teachers and cooperating teachers perceived the co-teaching model as more positively preparing student teachers for their first year of teaching than do university supervisors. Additionally, responses indicated that the co-teaching model of student teaching closely aligns to the Gradual Release of Responsibility theory of learning (Pearson and Gallagher, 1983) with the co-teaching model of student teaching strengths as follows: extensive modeling by a More Knowledgeable Other (Vygotsky, 1978), extensive professional reflection and immediate feedback, a narrowing of focus, professional collaboration, and building of confidence in the student teacher. Due to the student teacher never solely taking over the classroom responsibilities in a co-teaching model of student teaching, the model's barrier for preparing student teachers for their first year of teaching centers on the student teacher not receiving a fully realistic teaching experience in a classroom without a co-teacher. On this basis, it is recommended that universities and school districts adopt the co-teaching model of student teaching to provide a strong base of teaching background for the student teacher through the Gradual Release of Responsibility. The student teacher should also receive two to three weeks of sole classroom responsibility and all the duties in that role as to provide a realistic experience of teaching without a co-teacher present. Further research could synthesize the perceptions of the same group of participants in this study regarding a model similar to the one recommended.

Author(s):  
Gloria Vélez Rendón

The contradictory realities of student teaching viewed through the student teachers’ eyes have been the focus of attention of some recent publications (Britzman, 1991; Knowles and Cole, 1994; Carel, S.; Stuckey, A.; Spalding, A.;Parish, D.; Vidaurri, L; Dahlstrom, K.; and  Rand, Ch., 1996; Weber  Mitchell, 1996). Student teachers are “marginally situated in two worlds” they are to educate others while being educated themselves (Britzman, 1991, p. 13). Playing the two roles simultaneously is highly difficult. The contradictions, dilemmas, and tensions inherent in such endeavor make the world of the student teacher increasingly problematic. This is further complicated by the power relationships that often permeate the student teacher cooperating teacher relationship. This paper describes salient aspects of the student teaching journey of Sue, a white twenty-two year old student teacher of Spanish. It uncovers the tensions and dilemmas experienced by the participant in her quest for professional identity. Data collection sources for this study included (a) two open-ended interviews, each lasting approximately forty-five minutes; (b) one school-day long observation; and (c) a copy of the communication journal between the participant and her cooperating teacher. The data revealed that soon upon entering the student teaching field experience, Sue found herself torn by the ambiguous role in which student teachers are positioned: she was neither a full-fledged teacher nor a student. In trying to negotiate a teaching role for herself, Sue was pulled in different directions. She soon became aware of the powerful position of the cooperating teacher and of her vulnerability within the mentoring relationship. The main tension was manifested in Sue’s struggle to develop her own teaching persona on the one hand, and the pressure to conform to her cooperating teachers’ expectations on the other hand. The implications of the study are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian Ardley ◽  
Jacqueline Johnson

Video recordings for student teaching field experiences have been utilized with student teachers (also known as teacher candidates) to (a) capture the demonstration of their lesson plans, (b) critique their abilities within the performance, and (c) share and rate experiences for internal and external evaluations by the state and other organizations. Many times, the recording, saving, grading, and sharing process was not efficient. Thus, the feedback cycle from the university supervisor to the teacher candidate was negatively impacted. However, one communication technology tool that has the potential to facilitate the feedback process is video annotation software. This communication technology uses the storage within a remote server, known also as a cloud, to store videos that include typed commentary that is in sync with the portion of the video recorded. A group of university supervisors piloted a video annotation tool during student teaching to rate its effectiveness. Through a survey, the participants addressed how they perceived the implementation of the video annotation tool within the student teaching experience. Results suggest a video annotated technology-based supervision method is feasible and effective if paired with effective training and technical support.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
Jieun Kim

The purpose of this literature review is to examine music education research concerning the emerging practice of co-teaching between cooperating music teachers and student teachers, and to understand the benefits of co-teaching for both. The review is organized into two sections: (a) how cooperating music teachers and student teachers view their co-teaching experiences and (b) how cooperating music teachers mentor student teachers in a co-teaching model. Co-teaching during student teaching can occur successfully through cooperating teachers’ willingness to facilitate the co-teaching process, student teachers’ reflective practice with cooperating teachers and careful sequencing in teaching opportunities, and co-teachers’ engagement in daily communication activities. Music education researchers should continue to examine various topics related to implementing a co-teaching model in student teaching. This article will provide current P–12 music teachers with successful co-teaching examples and suggestions for applications in music classrooms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Stobaugh ◽  
Kimberlee Everson

Recently there has been increasing emphasis on co-teaching experiences for teacher candidates. Despite the significance of collaboration between cooperating teachers and student teachers, limited empirical attention has focused on student teachers' co-teaching experiences. The following study utilized survey data to ascertain if student teachers' use of different co-teaching strategies changed over the course of their student teaching semester, as well as, compared student teacher use of co-teaching strategies in elementary, middle, and secondary program areas. Pilot Study Survey data revealed that approximately one-fourth of the student teacher's time is spent teaching alone. However, the Student Teacher Survey data indicated that the Team Teaching co-teaching strategy increased more than any other co-teaching strategy in all program areas. The study concludes that as teacher education programs seek to maximize the benefits of the co-teaching model, student teachers and cooperating teachers need additional training in ways to utilize all the co-teaching strategies to maximize student learning.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-66
Author(s):  
Kelle L. MURPHY

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese. The study was designed to examine the perceptions of relationships formed among members of the student teaching triad and to examine the perceptions of supervision of student teachers given by cooperating teachers and college supervisors. Participants (N = 24) included eight student teaching triads. The study was conducted over a 14-week student teaching experience. In-depth interviews and daily journals were employed as methods of data collection. It was found that training was not received by cooperating teachers and college supervisors and was based on experience. The coalition was formed between the student teacher and cooperating teacher. Expectations of cooperating teachers were higher and based on a pragmatic view whereas expectations of college supervisors were based on theory. 本文旨在探討實習教學與視學的關係,邀請得24位實習生進行14周的實習教學,初步結果顯示本科教師與大學講師對實習生存有不同的見解。


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Tschida ◽  
Judith J. Smith ◽  
Elizabeth A. Fogarty

Many issues influence reform in teacher preparation including national accountability efforts, professional teaching standards, and local or regional factors. This study examines a rurally-located teacher education program’s efforts to reform clinical preparation through co-teaching. Researchers argue that their adaption of the typical one-to-one (1:1) model of co-teaching to a two-to-one (2:1) model, where two teacher candidates work collaboratively with one cooperating teacher, greatly enhances the student teaching experience. This phenomenological research describes the first year of implementation. Despite cooperating teacher concerns about teacher candidates being prepared for their own classrooms, student teachers learned valuable lessons in collaboration and co-planning, built strong relationships with peers and cooperating teachers, and greatly impacted K-6 student learning. Implications suggest a 2:1 co-teaching model of student teaching allows for fewer placements, which ultimately allows selection of quality cooperating teachers who mentor teacher candidates in powerful ways.  


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliane Portelance ◽  
Josianne Caron ◽  
Stéphane Martineau

Collaboration between student teacher trainers, the cooperating teacher and the university supervisor, is directly connected with the sharing of respective knowledge (Gervais & Desrosiers, 2005). However, fruitful exchanges are not necessarily usual (Sanford & Hopper, 2000), which is considered the most detrimental factor in the student teacher training process (Kauffman, 1992). This paper presents some results of a study on the circulation of knowledge between the student trainers. Data was collected using audio recordings of conversations in the natural setting of secondary teacher internship. Identification and analysis of the predominant roles illustrated in their discourse reveal that interprofessional collaboration and collaborative dialog need specific competencies.


2021 ◽  
pp. e20200014
Author(s):  
Elise St. John ◽  
Dan Goldhaber ◽  
John Krieg ◽  
Roddy Theobald

Emerging research finds connections between teacher candidates’ student teaching placements and their future career paths and effectiveness. Yet relatively little is known about the factors that influence these placements and how teacher education programs (TEPs) and K-12 school systems match teacher candidates to mentor teachers. In our study of this process in Washington state, we find that TEPs and K-12 systems share overarching goals related to successful student teacher placements and developing a highly effective teacher workforce. However, distinct accountabilities and day-to-day demands also sometimes lead them to prioritize other objectives. In addition, we identified informational asymmetries, which left TEPs questioning how mentor teachers were selected, and districts and schools with limited information with which to make intentional matches between teacher candidates and mentor teachers. The findings from this study inform both practice and research in teacher education and human resources. First, they illuminate practices that appear to contribute to informational gaps and institutional disadvantages in the placement of student teachers. Additionally, they raise questions about what constitutes an effective mentor teacher and provide researchers and policymakers with better insight into the professional realities of teacher educators and K-12 educators, as well as those of district human resource (HR) coordinators, which is important given their differing accountabilities and distinctive positionings in the education of teacher candidates.


Author(s):  
Kathryn Dixon ◽  
Ricardo Gonzalez-Carriedo ◽  
Lisbeth Dixon-Krauss

This chapter provides an account of an international student teaching exchange program between the University of North Texas (UNT) and the University of Seville (UdeS) from inception to implementation. The first section of the chapter offers a rationale for the program including a review of research related to international exchanges specific to educator preparation. Section two includes a discussion of program establishment, a description of initial contacts between the universities and steps taken to form legal agreements binding the institutions to the program. Logistical aspects of the program are detailed, including agreements with local school districts. The final section synthesizes the research conducted at UNT using Mezirow's (1991) transformative learning theory to study the effects of the program on its students. Three years of data have shown a clear pattern in regard to the personal and professional growth student teachers experience as a result of their participation in the program.


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