Critical Thinking in Teacher Education

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Katie Peterson-Hernandez ◽  
Steven S. Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Methods Course ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Literacy Methods

This chapter documents the development of critical thinking skills in preservice teachers as they engaged in practicum settings in a teacher education program. Qualitative data helps illustrate the shifts in thinking that correlated with particular experiences in the program. Data is used to illustrate strategies that teacher preparation programs might draw on to help teacher education students develop critical thinking skills related to pedagogies and practices. The authors conclude by theorizing a relationship between the structure and strategies employed within a literacy methods course and the expansion of preservice teachers understanding of literacy, teaching, and learning.

En La Lucha: The Struggles and Triumphs of Latino/a Preservice Teachers

2011 ◽  
Vol 113 (12) ◽  
pp. 2804-2835
Author(s):  
Jason G. Irizarry
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Critical Race Theory ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Race Theory ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
K 12

Background/Context Several studies have argued that the academic struggles of Latino/a students are connected, at least in part, to the dearth of Latino/a teachers and other school personnel who may be better equipped to meet the needs of this group. Others have suggested that there are significant academic benefits to having a more diverse teaching force. Despite significant population growth among Latinos/as in the United States, the teaching force remains overwhelmingly White, as Latino/a students continue to be underrepresented in institutions of higher education and, more specifically, within teacher education programs. Purpose/Objective/Focus of the Study Given the failure of teacher preparation programs to attract and retain more Latino/a students, and the implications that the shortage of qualified teachers has on Latino/a and other K–12 students, it is vital to learn from the challenges and successes of Latino/a preservice teachers to improve the ways in which teachers of diverse backgrounds are attracted into the field and prepared for this work. This article reports the findings of an ethnographic study in which a cohort of Latino/a preservice teachers was followed from the teachers’ recruitment into college, through their undergraduate years and, for most, their eventual transition into the teaching profession. Setting All the participants were undergraduate students enrolled in the teacher education program at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) of higher education in the northeastern United States. Participants A cohort of 5 Latino/a preservice teachers recruited to the institution as part of a minority teacher recruitment program participated in the study. Research Design This article draws from data collected ethnographically, using phenome-nological interviews, observations, field notes, and student work products to document barriers that students encountered while navigating their preservice teacher education program. The author critically examines how this cohort of Latino/a undergraduates experienced systematic silencing, the result of the acts of individual agents and institutional practices and policies that manifested in overt and subtle forms of subordination. Findings The study reveals how subordination serves to marginalize students of color by hindering their full, active participation in teacher preparation programs through the silencing of their voices. Using critical race theory (CRT) and Latino/a critical race theory (LatCrit) as analytic lenses, the author describes multiple sites within the institution of higher education where students experienced silencing. Conclusions/Recommendations The article concludes with a discussion of implications, framed around the central tenets of CRT and LatCrit, for improving the recruitment and retention of Latino/a college students in teacher education, particularly as an important means for enhancing the educational experiences and outcomes for Latinos/as in K–12 schools.

Diversity and Teacher Education

2017 ◽  
pp. 392-415
Author(s):  
Molly Y. Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Diversity Education ◽  
Language Differences ◽  
Diverse Classrooms ◽  
Diversity In Education

Teachers' knowledge and skills in working with students of diverse backgrounds depend largely on their knowledge of ethnic groups and appreciation of culture and language differences. This chapter examined preservice teachers' preparation for diversity in a teacher education program at a university in southeastern United States. Study participants were preservice teachers enrolled in an education course in the school of education at the said university. Thirty preservice teachers' semester long reflections from a diversity education course were collected and analyzed. Two questions guided the discussion of the chapter: 1) What was the learning experience of preservice teachers in the course? 2) What was the collective conscience of preservice teachers on teaching students in increasingly diverse classrooms? The findings revealed that the course experiences facilitated preservice teachers' critical thinking skills on history, cultural identity, family and language difference, ethnic experiences. Implications on diversity in education were discussed.

Diversity and Teacher Education

2015 ◽  
pp. 299-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Y. Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Diversity Education ◽  
Language Differences ◽  
Diverse Classrooms ◽  
Diversity In Education

Teachers' knowledge and skills in working with students of diverse backgrounds depend largely on their knowledge of ethnic groups and appreciation of culture and language differences. This chapter examined preservice teachers' preparation for diversity in a teacher education program at a university in southeastern United States. Study participants were preservice teachers enrolled in an education course in the school of education at the said university. Thirty preservice teachers' semester long reflections from a diversity education course were collected and analyzed. Two questions guided the discussion of the chapter: 1) What was the learning experience of preservice teachers in the course? 2) What was the collective conscience of preservice teachers on teaching students in increasingly diverse classrooms? The findings revealed that the course experiences facilitated preservice teachers' critical thinking skills on history, cultural identity, family and language difference, ethnic experiences. Implications on diversity in education were discussed.

Developing Pre-Service Teachers' Critical Thinking and Assessment Skills With Reflective Writing

2019 ◽  
pp. 146-173
Author(s):  
Tracey S. Hodges ◽  
Chyllis E. Scott ◽  
Erin K. Washburn ◽  
Sharon D. Matthews ◽  
Carly Gould
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Reflective Writing ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Writing Assignments ◽  
Literacy Interventions ◽  
Assessment Skills ◽  
Small Group Reading

Teacher education programs are implementing more reflection into their coursework to better prepare future teachers to think critically in their classrooms. In this multiple-participant case study, the researchers analyze nine PSTs from two different teacher preparation programs. All PSTs participated in one-on-one or small group reading interventions with young children and conducted a series of assessments and intervention lessons over one semester. At the same time, the PSTs took a course focused on reading assessment and intervention. Through the course, PSTs reflected on their intervention practices, student growth, instructional strengths and weaknesses, and additional concerns that could arise during the sessions through the use of reflective writing assignments. Through learning about literacy assessments and conducting literacy interventions and tutoring, PSTs practiced and enhanced their critical thinking skills.

Diversity and Teacher Education

2018 ◽  
pp. 272-295
Author(s):  
Molly Y. Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Diversity Education ◽  
Language Differences ◽  
Diverse Classrooms ◽  
Diversity In Education

Teachers' knowledge and skills in working with students of diverse backgrounds depend largely on their knowledge of ethnic groups and appreciation of culture and language differences. This chapter examined preservice teachers' preparation for diversity in a teacher education program at a university in southeastern United States. Study participants were preservice teachers enrolled in an education course in the school of education at the said university. Thirty preservice teachers' semester long reflections from a diversity education course were collected and analyzed. Two questions guided the discussion of the chapter: 1) What was the learning experience of preservice teachers in the course? 2) What was the collective conscience of preservice teachers on teaching students in increasingly diverse classrooms? The findings revealed that the course experiences facilitated preservice teachers' critical thinking skills on history, cultural identity, family and language difference, ethnic experiences. Implications on diversity in education were discussed.

Preservice Teachers' Development and Application of Critical Thinking Skills in a Social Studies Methods Course

2019 ◽  
pp. 341-358
Author(s):  
Dallas Ann Dallman ◽  
Jayne A. Downey
Keyword(s):  
Preservice Teachers ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
Social Studies ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Methods Course ◽  
Social Studies Methods ◽  
Thinking Strategies

Critical thinking skills are essential in the success of effective citizens. However, it is unclear how well preservice teachers (PTs) are prepared to teach these skills to K-8 students. This chapter investigates the application of PTs' critical thinking skills in a social studies methods course. In addition, it examines how often PTs include critical thinking strategies in their lesson plans. Findings suggest that PTs consider themselves to be critical thinkers. Yet they may lack the tools, skills, and strategies to promote student engagement with critical thinking through rigorous, complex lessons. The authors present a research study and offer strategies to enhance the development of PTs' critical thinking skills. The chapter discusses how to promote the transfer of these skills to K-8 students.

Team-Based Learning

2019 ◽  
pp. 80-105
Author(s):  
Lauren R. Brannan ◽  
Christopher W. Parrish ◽  
Hannah D. Szatkowski
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Instructional Format ◽  
Team Based Learning

Team-based learning (TBL) is an instructional approach in which students work collaboratively to solve significant problems. In contrast to other teaching methods, TBL provides a systematic approach in which students are provided consistent opportunities to engage in critical thinking. Although the research about the use of TBL in teacher education is scarce, research has reported a number of positive outcomes from other fields, including increased critical thinking skills and student outcomes. The purpose of this chapter is to describe TBL as an instructional format that can be implemented in teacher preparation programs to facilitate the development of critical thinking skills. It provides an overview of TBL, describes research outcomes related to critical thinking and student outcomes, provides examples of TBL from teacher preparation courses, and provides next steps for teacher educators interested in getting started with TBL.

scholarly journals Teacher education program supporting critical thinking skills: a case of primary school teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (41) ◽  
pp. 188-198
Author(s):  
Sevgi Celik
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers

This quantitative study investigates the needs of primary school teachers for better Teacher Education Program supporting critical thinking skills. The study was carried out at four different public and private primary and secondary schools in Erbil, Iraq, during the 2019–2020 academic year, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the suspensión of classes and the closure of educational centers. An online survey was conducted with 48 physics, mathematics, Kurdish, and social science teachers to gather data regarding how teachers support students’ critical thinking skills in the classroom. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and revealed that teachers were inefficient in encouraging students to use critical thinking skills in the classroom. The findings indicated that teachers require training to improve skills such as open-mindedness, asking high-level questions, questioning information accuracy and reliability, and searching for causes or evidence. Hence, the study proposes a teacher education program to supporting critical thinking.

A Case Study

2011 ◽  
pp. 326-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Teacher Education Program ◽  
Program Assessment ◽  
Teacher Preparation Programs ◽  
National Commission ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Executive Officers

We know that a nationwide shortage of highly qualified teachers exists, and not enough people are becoming teachers. We also know there are increasing demands for institutions to demonstrate a system of accountability through program assessment. As stated by the State Higher Education Executive Officers (2005), “The National Commission on Accountability in Higher Education believes improved accountability for better results is imperative, but how to improve accountability in higher education is not so obvious” (p. 4). Also, many teacher preparation programs are not accredited, and of the 1,300 teacher preparation programs that existed in 1999, only 38 percent were accredited through the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) (The CEO Forum on Education & Technology, 2000, p. 3). While examining the effectiveness of the Teacher Education program assessment at the case institution, three convergent themes emerged.

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