Graduation Year
2005
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ph.D.
Degree Granting Department
Early Childhood Education and Literacy Studies
Major Professor
Kathryn LaFramboise, Ph.D.
Co-Major Professor
Roger Brindley, Ed.D.
Committee Member
Jeffrey Kromrey, Ph..D.
Committee Member
Nancy Williams, Ph.D.
Keywords
Teacher-education, Reflection, Research, Beliefs, Interns
Abstract
This qualitative study focused on the development of reflective practice with preservice teachers through a framework during an early field experience. The framework provided an explicit structure for the preservice teachers to investigate four focus areas (teachers role, active learning, culture, and assessment). The preservice teachers explored a focus area, dialogued via e-mail with a peer, and then discussed their findings in small groups.
The preservice teachers were given a pre and post survey that queried them about their beliefs related to the four focus areas and the concept of reflection. Content analysis of the explanatory statements on the survey, dialogue e-mails and written reflections after small group discussions, and focus group interviews guided a systematic examination of the data. The dialogue e-mails and written reflections were also analyzed using a rubric for reflective levels.
The survey results indicated that while a substantial number of preservice teachers maintained the same belief after experiencing the framework of inquiry into practice, an equal or greater number of preservice teachers changed. These preservice teachers became more student-focused as the semester progressed. They also became increasingly self-critical of their own teaching practices which led them to alternative approaches. Consequently, these preservice teachers were able to articulate their beliefs in the context of teaching.
The structure of the framework provided opportunities for the preservice teachers to rehearse reflective practice; thus teacher educators have an explicit methodological model for developing reflective practitioners. Moreover, the preservice teachers indicated that the framework increased self-monitoring which facilitated analysis of their teaching. The preservice teachers documented flexibility in reference to instruction to meet the needs of their students. Finally, this study indicates that beliefs may be more fluid than originally thought, but restructuring reflective assignments in preservice teacher programs to include an authentic audience is an important component of developing reflective practice. Additionally, restructuring teacher education to include opportunities in which preservice teachers investigate specific focus areas linked to course requirements may be an additional path to bridge the gap that preservice teachers believe exists between the university and school realities.
Scholar Commons Citation
Lloyd, Susan L., "Examining a Framework of Dialogue E-mails and Inquiry into Practice to Scaffold Reflective Practice in Preservice Teachers during their Early Field Experience" (2005). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/745
