The purpose of this study was to obtain an insider's perspective of an unguided field experience, which was a part of a university professional preparation program, through the use of naturalistic research techniques. The methodologies employed were participant observation and interviewing (both formal and informal). Data were also collected by having the preservice teachers maintain daily journals of their observations. / Data collection lasted six weeks. The seven volunteer subjects were senior physical education majors. The observation period entailed six hours of observation each week, for six weeks. The researcher was also a participant observer and made an effort to be in the settings with the preinterns as much as possible. / Data were analyzed inductively, and working hypotheses developed as data were collected. Emergent patterns or categories which were prevalent in the data were investigated as they became evident. Validity of the observations was established through triangulation of multiple data sources, data checks, and through the application of thick description in reporting data. / The focus of the preinterns' observations varied. However, the content of their observations was fairly consistent. The observations revealed that generally, the preinterns did not provide bases for their subjective observations; they often focused on Academic Learning Time (ALT), lesson organization, teaching methods, and student characteristics; they made simple as well as a wide variety of complex observations; they made comments about student skill performances but were not specific in these observations; they almost totally ignored individual student performance and the mechanics of the skill performances; and they seemed to disregard lesson purpose, student social interactions, teacher characteristics, the environment, and the school organization and administration. / The study revealed that while the preinterns' observations did reflect some aspects of their training, other parts were neglected. The preinterns' past experiences, university training, and interaction with inservice teachers were strong influences on their observations. Their observations contained a variety of complex observations, but they were not representative of mature observers. Recommendations are made for future research and possible program improvements. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-12, Section: A, page: 3923. / Major Professor: Charles Imwold. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1989.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_78124 |
| Contributors | Pugh, Steven F., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 243 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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