Using a qualitative case study approach, the purpose of the study was to explore the
nature of the practical knowledge about teaching constructed by physical education
preservice teachers during their practicum experience, that is, to gain insights into the
'sense making' process in which preservice teachers engage as they learn to teach during
this experience. In addition, the study examined the factors which enhance or constrain
this constructive process. The data analysis was guided by two research questions: What
is the nature of the practical knowledge about teaching constructed by physical education
preservice teachers during their practicum experience?; and what factors influence
(enhance or constrain) the development of this knowledge during the practicum
experience?
The study was situated within the everyday experiences of four physical education
preservice teachers as they completed an extended (thirteen week) practicum in
secondary school settings. The methods used to collect data were those associated with
qualitative case studies. They included lesson observations, in-depth interviewing, video
and stimulated recall sessions of lessons taught by the participants, and journal writing.
Separate cases have been written for each of the four participants, while the final chapter
discusses the substantive issues that have arisen from the study.
There were a number of conclusions that emerged from the study. With regards to the
nature of practical knowledge constructed by preservice teachers the findings include its
thematic development, the dynamic transformation of 'knowing that' into 'knowing how',
how practical knowledge was evident but rarely heard in the practice of preservice
teachers, and the role of each participant's image of himself or herself as a physical
educator. A number of factors were identified that enhanced or constrained this process.
These factors include prior coaching experiences, the role of sponsor teachers, the impact
of university faculty advisors, video and stimulated recall sessions, and the teaching of a
second subject by each participant.
The study concludes by outlining a number of implications for teacher education.
First, it suggests that during their teacher education program preservice teachers need to
be taught how to learn from experience and that sponsor teachers have a key role to play
in this process. Second, that biography has a significant impact in directing what and how
preservice teachers learn about teaching during a practicum and that preservice teachers
must be encouraged to examine and look beyond their own experiences when learning
how to teach.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/8589 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Partridge, David |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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