Understanding the power of dispositions: Case study of four ELT preservice teachers’ learning during practicum

Yin Mei May PANG

Research output: Contribution to conferencePapers

Abstract

This presentation examines the process of four pre-service student teachers' learning during practicum in the area of secondary English language teaching with a focus on exploring the influences of dispositions on their practicum behavior and performance. It aims to seek an in-depth understanding of the relationship between these student teachers' dispositions and their use of agency in learning to teach in the context of how they completed the tasks of student teaching. A case study methodology of the qualitative approach was adopted. The informants' learning was followed through during their final year of study on a 4-year BEd program, with a particular focus on their learning during an 8-week practicum period. Data relating to their learning were collected, which include all the teaching and learning documents and materials involved, interviews at various key points of their study during the academic yeai and lesson observations during the practicum of the year. The findings from the case study show that patterns of action and thinking underpinning these student teachers' learning can be seen as the results of agency, which involves dispositional choices relating to how they framed their teaching tasks, as well as how they used strategies and methods to control and regulate the purposes and coping levels in the completion of such teaching tasks. Various aspects of teacher dispositions will be discussed and implications for teacher education will be sought.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010
EventThe 2nd East Asian International Conference on Teacher Education Research: "Teacher Education for the Future: International Perspectives" - The Hong Kong Institute of Education, Hong Kong, China
Duration: 15 Dec 201017 Dec 2010

Conference

ConferenceThe 2nd East Asian International Conference on Teacher Education Research: "Teacher Education for the Future: International Perspectives"
Abbreviated titleEAI 2010
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHong Kong
Period15/12/1017/12/10

Citation

Pang, M. (2010, December). Understanding the power of dispositions: Case study of four ELT preservice teachers’ learning during practicum. Paper presented at the 2nd East Asian International Conference on Teacher Education Research: Teacher Education for the Future: International Perspectives, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, China.

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