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The Role of Field Experience in Elementary Preservice Teachers' Self‐Efficacy and Ability to Connect Research to Practice
Author(s) -
McDonnough Jacqueline T.,
Matkins Juanita Jo
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
school science and mathematics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.135
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 1949-8594
pISSN - 0036-6803
DOI - 10.1111/j.1949-8594.2009.00003.x
Subject(s) - practicum , mathematics education , psychology , teacher education , student teacher , pedagogy , field (mathematics) , medical education , medicine , mathematics , pure mathematics
Though the importance of including practicum experiences in programs for the preparation of elementary preservice teachers is generally accepted, the nature of these experiences on the development of skills in teaching science can vary greatly. This study compares the effect of variations in field experiences at two institutions, one which included a practicum that was not connected to the science methods course and instructor and the other where the practicum was concurrent with and taught by the methods instructor. Interview data and results of the STEBI‐B were collected across four years, with a total n = 129. The concurrent, embedded practicum yielded consistent increases in self‐efficacy across the semesters. Also after the embedded practicum, preservice teachers showed greater understanding in research‐based science teaching practices.