Understanding Teacher Candidates' Engagement with Inquiry-Based Professional Development: A Continuum of Responses and Needs.

Audra Parker, Amanda Bush, Diane Yendol-Hoppey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Teacher educators recognize that teacher candidates must have authentic, scaffolded opportunities to transform knowledge into practice. This study explores teacher candidates’ engagement with teacher inquiry as a method for supporting professional development. Findings suggest teacher candidates differ tremendously in their responses to the inquiry process, creating a continuum of proficiency. This study extends the literature by providing concrete examples of the variation in readiness, sophistication, and quality in teacher candidates’ attempts to engage in teacher inquiry. Implications for teacher educators include the importance of providing differentiated support through structured, sequenced experiences that build an inquiry stance in teacher candidates.
Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)221-242
Number of pages22
JournalThe New Educator
Volume12
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2 2016

Disciplines

  • Psychology
  • Curriculum and Instruction

Cite this