This study examined the experiences of elementary education teacher candidates in a servicelearning literacy methods course in which they were placed in two public school settings-- one urban elementary school and one urban laboratory school. This was teacher candidates initial field experience in elementary classrooms. Teacher candidates explored…

Since the first curriculum reform in the 1990s, education reforms in China have aimed at creating a student-centred education model based on creativity. The effectiveness of such strategies is, however, questionable. This paper explores the current level of supportive learning environment at elementary schools. Through empirical research conducted…

This study explored the use of digital notebooks in an elementary science methods course to encourage teacher candidates (TCs) to think critically about and reflect on important aspects of elementary science teaching. Framed within John Dewey's experiential education and the application of this work to science education, we examined how TCs…

This design-based study explored what happens when literacy educators from across the country intentionally create learning events that engage preservice teachers in exploring culturally proactive pedagogies (CPP). After each event, researchers met via video conference to discuss preservice teachers' responses, which guided future pedagogical…

This study investigated student teachers' (N = 82) learning of action-oriented knowledge (AOK), triggering incidents in teaching practice, and the relationships between these two. Student teacher's action-oriented knowledge is understood as core capability for the practice of teaching, and learning of action-oriented knowledge needs to be…

This study aims to understand pre-service teachers' perceptions about mentor teachers' mentoring practices and their relevance to the level of their teaching self-efficacy. A survey was conducted with a sample of 210 pre-service teachers in the 3rd and 4th year of a 4-year bachelor program for elementary teacher education at the University of…

The purpose of this qualitative, semi-structured interview study was to explore the role of a reading interventionist within an elementary school setting to help bring increased clarity to the responsibilities of a reading interventionist. Research questions focused on the role and impact of reading interventionists when working with developing…

Drawing on data from 16 teacher candidates in an elementary literacy methods course, this qualitative study seeks to understand how literature circles can help candidates critically reflect on social justice and equity as well as encourage reflection on race and privilege. Upon analyzing recorded classroom discussions, written artifacts, and…

This yearlong study explores how digital technologies are used during literacy instruction in the critical year of third grade. We analyzed technology use in 16 classrooms across six geographically and socioeconomically diverse schools. We examined the multiple layers of technology's influences on teachers' instructional decision-making and on…

Recent research into reading has revealed much about how people learn to read, and Riley expresses optimism that educators might adopt much of this reading science into how they teach reading without triggering new "reading wars" between advocates of phonics and whole language. He summarizes indisputable facts recent scientific research…

The demand to incorporate informatics into primary education is seen as a critical necessity both today, and for the future of modern societies. Numerous countries are currently revising their primary education curricula in order to incorporate informatics concepts and computational thinking skills. Although many successful initiatives have been…

Many in the field of mathematics education call for elementary schools to have elementary mathematics specialists (EMSs) who provide needed mathematical expertise and support for children and teachers. EMSs serve as a reasonable, immediate alternative to the challenges generated by elementary teachers needing improved mathematical knowledge for…

The clinical aspects of teacher preparation are critical to the development of able novice teachers, and university supervisors are well positioned to focus on the learning of teacher candidates within these placements. This article reports on findings from a qualitative interview study exploring 10 university supervisors' practices, particularly…

This article describes the collaborative journey of two elementary education instructors at a large metropolitan university in the Southeast Region of the United States as they transformed and developed an innovative, engaging, and meaningful assignment utilizing adult avatars in TeachLivE™ to simulate parent-teacher reading conferences. The…

Although there is substantial research documenting the impact of department heads in higher education, there is a significant gap in the literature examining the role of program coordinators. This self-study explores how two teacher educators navigated the opportunities and costs of coordinating their respective programs, literacy education and…