Teaching development grants final and financial report: Learning in the field: Impacts on and implications for teacher preparation

This proposed project investigates the development and implementation of a common approach adopted in the General Studies and Liberal Studies modules, namely field-based learning. Through action research into the instructional design and practices of field-based learning in six General Studies/Liberal Studies modules, this project aims to enhance colleagues' understanding of the development and implementation of this approach of learning in the various teacher education programmes and explores how it can be further improved. This proposed action research project will be conducted in two cycles, with the first cycle coincides with the second semester in 2007/08 and the second cycle with the first semester in 2008/09. In each cycle, evaluation of field-based learning in three modules will be conducted and the initial findings of the first stage will provide the basis for improvement for development in the second stage. In both cycles, multiple methods of data collection will be employed which include observations, interviews (individual and group, formal and informal) and documentary analysis. The outcomes of this proposed project include an evaluation report of field-based learning for teacher preparation and field-tested instructional framework and resources for promoting this learning approach in the General Studies and Liberal Studies modules.