ERIC Number: EJ893371
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-1027
EISSN: N/A
Promoting Professionalism in Infant Care: Lessons from a Yearlong Teacher Preparation Project
Branscomb, Kathryn R.; Ethridge, Elizabeth A.
Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, v31 n3 p207-221 2010
Teacher research served as both the content and frame of analysis for this study. Parallel teacher research projects took place over the course of a year as preservice teachers engaged in their first experience with teacher research as part of an infant-toddler development course and the first author (their instructor) engaged in teacher research of her own to assess the effectiveness of this project in enhancing the students' professional preparation to work with families of infants and toddlers. Seven preservice teachers who ranged from 20 to 49 years of age participated. Students engaged in research training, conducted parent interviews, collaboratively analyzed their findings, and advocated for parents by giving presentations at the local and national level. Data collected included student reflections, a postproject survey, and the first author's reflections on her teaching practices. Qualitative findings regarding the students' experiences and construction of knowledge throughout the project are shared in addition to the first authors' reflections on the lessons she learned as a teacher educator during this primarily student-led project. Implications for teacher education practices are included.
Descriptors: Preservice Teacher Education, Preservice Teachers, Toddlers, Infants, Infant Care, Teacher Educators, Teaching Methods, Reflective Teaching, Interviews, Parent Attitudes, Student Teacher Attitudes, Student Teaching, Teacher Researchers, Child Development, Program Effectiveness, Teacher Competencies, Parent Teacher Cooperation, Child Care, Conferences (Gatherings)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A