Practicum practices of 4-year early childhood education teacher preparation programs : results from a national survey
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Sung-Ae Kim (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Karen La Paro
Abstract: A practicum is a field experience that provides opportunities for preservice teachers to implement academic understanding and practical training in an authentic classroom environment. Though practicum experiences are one of the most common and crucial aspects of teacher preparation programs, there is limited research to promote understanding of practicum experiences across teacher preparation programs. This study examines practica in 4-year early childhood teacher preparation programs across multiple states in the U.S. Program representatives from 227 4-year early childhood teacher preparation programs responded to an online survey regarding practica in the following areas: 1. criteria for practicum placement, 2. qualification of and support for cooperating teachers, 3. learning experiences during practica, and 4. supervision and evaluation of practica. Descriptive statistics and comparisons and associations with program characteristics were utilized to analyze the data. Overall results suggested variability across various areas of practica. Criteria for placement settings and cooperating teachers varied across programs. Cooperating teachers’ education qualification, work experience, and license requirements differed by the children’s ages in the practicum classrooms. Observing children, planning and implementing activities were included across all programs as learning experiences provided during practica. There was great variation in evaluation tools and supervision methods across programs. Moreover, programs offered more practica in early elementary, kindergarten, and preschool classrooms than in infant and toddler. classrooms. Variations in practicum practices are discussed, including implications for teacher preparation programs and next steps for future research. This study provides an initial understanding of practicum practices in 4-year early childhood teacher preparation programs and serves as a foundation for future research that can further address early childhood field experiences.
Practicum practices of 4-year early childhood education teacher preparation programs : results from a national survey
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Created on 12/1/2021
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2021
- Keywords
- Cooperating teacher, Early childhood education, Field experience supervision, Practicum criteria, Practicum experience, Teacher preparation
- Subjects
- Early childhood teachers $x Training of
- Early childhood education
- Practicums