ERIC Number: EJ763067
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Jan
Pages: 13
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-6803
EISSN: N/A
"I Actually Learned a Lot from This": A Field Assignment to Prepare Future Preservice Math Teachers for Culturally Diverse Classrooms
Downey, Jayne A.; Cobbs, Georgia A.
School Science and Mathematics, v107 n1 p391-403 Jan 2007
Teacher education programs are cognizant of the need to prepare preservice teachers (PTs) to work effectively with children from diverse cultural backgrounds. Well-constructed field experiences can help PTs develop awareness and gain understanding of important cultural considerations related to effective teaching and learning (Sleeter, 2001). This paper describes a unique field assignment created for an Elementary Math Methods course in which 61 PTs were trained to conduct a semi-structured interview with a student whose cultural background was different than their own. PTs transcribed their own interviews and completed a guided reflection on their experiences. Reflections were submitted and analyzed for emerging themes. Analyses suggest that the structured interview component of this field assignment provided PTs with increased insight into mathematics instruction and the learning needs of diverse students. We also discuss the value and limitations of this instructional innovation and propose avenues by which to continue to help PTs grow toward becoming culturally relevant pedagogists (Irvine, 2003).
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Mathematics Teachers, Instructional Innovation, Cultural Pluralism, Teacher Effectiveness, Preservice Teachers, Methods Courses, Innovation, Preservice Teacher Education, Field Experience Programs, Student Diversity, Consciousness Raising, Interviews, Student Needs
School Science and Mathematics Association. Texas A&M University, TAMU 4232, College Station, TX 77843. Tel: 979-862-8100; e-mail: ssmj@coe.tamu.edu; Web site: http://ssmj.tamu.edu
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A