Examining professional learning and the preparation of professionally competent teachers in initial teacher education

Examining professional learning and the preparation of professionally competent teachers in initial teacher education

• Tang, Yee Fan Sylvia The Hong Kong Institute of Education
• Wong, Kit Yi Angel The Hong Kong Institute of Education
• Cheng, May Hung May The Hong Kong Institute of Education

Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 2015

Routledge

2015

• M Teachers & Education for Teachers
  • MA Professional Education for Teachers

Initial Teacher Education Student Teachers Professional Learning Professional Competence

• Hong Kong

• 1997.7 onwards

• Post-Secondary Education

The relative contributions of higher education and schools, and hence the conceptual and practical aspects of ITE, to student teachers’ professional learning have been an issue of concern in teacher education. This article reports a mixed-methods study showing the relationship between student teachers’ engagement with the practical and conceptual aspects of a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Programme in Hong Kong and different facets of their perceived professional competence. One hundred and thirty-two student teachers participated in the quantitative survey of whom seven were interviewed. The findings reveal that experiences associated with learning the pragmatic facets of professional practice were more valued by student teachers compared to learning the conceptual aspects of ITE. Yet, in terms of relationship with professional competence, student teachers’ engagement with the practical aspects of ITE was related to competence in classroom teaching, whereas their engagement with the conceptual aspects contributed to their mastery of professional knowledge, competence in classroom teaching and competence in interacting with stakeholders. The study illuminates the distinctive contributions of schools and higher education in ITE. While acknowledging the important role of schools in providing a setting for practical work, this study affirms the distinctive contribution of higher education in equipping student teachers with practical and conceptual tools in the preparation of professionally competent teachers.
[Copyright © 2015 Taylor & Francis.]

• English

Journal Articles

• 13540602

https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/en/bibs/7beafda0

2015-06-23