Flexible Professional Experience Placements in Initial Teacher Education: Exploring the Perceptions of Key Stakeholder Groups
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| Title: | Flexible Professional Experience Placements in Initial Teacher Education: Exploring the Perceptions of Key Stakeholder Groups |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Sarah M. James (ORCID |
| Source: | Australian Educational Researcher. 2026 53(1). |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Kindergarten Primary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Preservice Teacher Education, Preservice Teachers, Teacher Placement, Universities, Schools, Kindergarten, Child Care, Stakeholders, Field Instruction |
| Geographic Terms: | Australia |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s13384-025-00927-0 |
| ISSN: | 0311-6999 2210-5328 |
| Abstract: | Policy proposals in higher education and more specifically Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Australia have highlighted the need for flexible professional experience placements. Flexible placements are assumed to redress challenges associated with traditional block placements such as student workload intensification and placement poverty. However, little is known about the reality of enacting flexible placements in university, school or kindergarten/long daycare settings. Inspired by Ball's notion of policy enactment which includes material, interpretive and discursive facets, this research examines education stakeholders' perceptions of enacting flexible placements, by asking: How do stakeholders define a flexible placement? How are flexible placements thought and spoken about? and What factors are perceived as enabling/constraining the enactment of flexible placements? Data were generated from interviews with 12 participants from three stakeholder groups (university staff, teachers, and preservice teachers) from one university in Queensland, Australia. Findings revealed that despite narrow views of flexible placements from stakeholders, sentiments towards such flexibility were generally positive. However, it became apparent that flexible placements could only be realised by taking the material constraints seriously. Recommendations for ITE programs enacting flexible placements are suggested. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1499948 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Policy proposals in higher education and more specifically Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Australia have highlighted the need for flexible professional experience placements. Flexible placements are assumed to redress challenges associated with traditional block placements such as student workload intensification and placement poverty. However, little is known about the reality of enacting flexible placements in university, school or kindergarten/long daycare settings. Inspired by Ball's notion of policy enactment which includes material, interpretive and discursive facets, this research examines education stakeholders' perceptions of enacting flexible placements, by asking: How do stakeholders define a flexible placement? How are flexible placements thought and spoken about? and What factors are perceived as enabling/constraining the enactment of flexible placements? Data were generated from interviews with 12 participants from three stakeholder groups (university staff, teachers, and preservice teachers) from one university in Queensland, Australia. Findings revealed that despite narrow views of flexible placements from stakeholders, sentiments towards such flexibility were generally positive. However, it became apparent that flexible placements could only be realised by taking the material constraints seriously. Recommendations for ITE programs enacting flexible placements are suggested. |
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| ISSN: | 0311-6999 2210-5328 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s13384-025-00927-0 |
