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Pub Date: |
2013-00-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Factor Analysis; Cognitive Processes; Foreign Countries; Novelty (Stimulus Dimension); Creativity; Young Children; Preschool Teachers; Teacher Attitudes; Problem Solving; Teacher Characteristics; Teacher Education Programs; Preschool Education
Abstract:
The study aimed to uncover the conceptions of creativity among early childhood teachers in Hong Kong. The sample comprised 563 early childhood teachers. Factor analysis supported the multidimensional hypothesis of teachers' conceptions of creativity. Five dimensions were found: novelty, product, problem solving, cognitive processes and personal attributes. Early childhood teachers in Hong Kong ascribed high importance to these dimensions as defining characteristics of creativity, with a person's cognitive processes and personal attributes being ascribed relatively more important while product as relatively less importance. In particular, imagination, multiple perspectives and curiosity were perceived as very important concepts of creativity. Teachers with different teaching backgrounds shared very similar conceptions of creativity. Significant results were found with regard to product only. The findings have implications for early childhood teacher education programmes and professional development in Hong Kong. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.)
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Pub Date: |
2013-00-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Teacher Education; Teacher Education Programs; Preschool Teachers; Teacher Attitudes; Student Teachers; Teacher Role; School Culture; Science Activities; Pedagogical Content Knowledge; Role Conflict; Longitudinal Studies; Science Instruction; Questionnaires
Abstract:
The aim of this exploratory, longitudinal study was to describe an overall picture of how perceptions of the teacher role and attitudes toward science and science teaching develop and interact during preschool teacher education, and how this in turn influences behavior when students are engaged in teaching science. Sixty-five students enrolled in a preschool teacher education program at a Swedish university were followed throughout their teacher education. The study used a phenomenographic approach within a theoretical framework of sociocultural and situated learning perspective. Questionnaires with open and closed questions were combined with interviews. The results show that in spite of growing competence and confidence, many of the students still found science activities to be awkward in preschool, mainly due to a wish to protect the children from school culture. The results have implications for teacher education and the preschool community, showing a need to problematize the purpose of teaching science in preschool and the meaning of pedagogical content knowledge in this context. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)
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Pub Date: |
2013-00-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Teaching Methods; Cooperation; Interprofessional Relationship; Social Work; Early Childhood Education; Graduate Students; Young Children; Teacher Persistence; Focus Groups; Teachers; Teacher Education Programs; Pilot Projects
Abstract:
Effective collaboration between early childhood teachers and social workers is now considered critical to providing children with adequate psycho-social supports and services in early childhood settings. In order for this interdisciplinary collaboration to be more effective, opportunities for each discipline to learn about each other's knowledge, skills, roles, and responsibilities need to occur well before these professionals enter early childhood settings. This pilot study engaged 2nd-year, preservice, graduate early childhood education and social work students in an interprofessional training and collaborative activity as part of their graduate coursework. Following this training and activity, the early childhood education graduate students and the social work graduate students were invited to participate in uni-professional focus groups as a way to explore their experiences. Findings suggest that although there is general agreement among graduate students that interdisciplinary training and learning activities during coursework provide an important foundation for collaboration, there are several challenges. These challenges include a lack of clarity around professional roles and responsibilities, differences in understandings of children's behavior, and a perception that there will be little opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration in early childhood settings. Implications are discussed for strengthening relationships between professional preparation programs as a way to improve collaborative teaming and increase early childhood teacher retention.
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Author(s): |
Beck, Lisa M. |
Source: |
Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, v34 n1 p7-22 2013 |
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Pub Date: |
2013-00-00 |
Pub Type(s): |
Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative |
Peer Reviewed: |
Yes |
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Descriptors:
Theory Practice Relationship; Infants; Infant Care; Teaching Skills; Preservice Teachers; Focus Groups; Interviews; Field Experience Programs; Teacher Education; Teacher Education Programs; Early Childhood Education
Abstract:
The literature on infant care and education indicates that infant fieldwork has distinct learning opportunities that could work as an important supplement to more traditional field placements. The following study supports these assertions by providing an in-depth look at the experiences of three preservice early childhood teachers while engaging in fieldwork with infants over the course of one semester. The preservice teachers' perspectives and descriptions, as generated through individual interviews, reflective journals, and a focus group interview, were used to illuminate the unique aspects of working with infants and the impact of the fieldwork on their development as teachers. The findings suggest that structured experiences in the infant classroom pushed the preservice teachers to construct new ideas about development, curriculum, the role of the teacher, working with parents and families, and building relationships with children. The infant fieldwork also provided the preservice teachers with valuable opportunities to practice critical teaching skills--such as observation, collaborating with parents and families, and individualizing care and to make new connections between theory and practice.
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