Helping Preservice Teachers Develop Habits of Inquiry: Can It Be Done?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Helping Preservice Teachers Develop Habits of Inquiry: Can It Be Done?
Language: English
Authors: Smith, Michael S.
Source: Reading Research and Instruction. Fall 2005 45(1):39-68.
Availability: College Reading Association. Brigham Young University, Department of Teacher Education, 215 McKay Building, P.O. Box 25099, Provo, UT 84602. Web site: http://www.collegereadingassociation.org/index.html.
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 30
Publication Date: 2005
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Grade 3
Descriptors: Preservice Teachers, Inquiry, Reading Instruction, Cognitive Tests, Methods Courses, Teacher Education, Program Evaluation, Professional Development, Methods Teachers, Reading Research, Discovery Learning, Ability Identification
ISSN: 0886-0246
Abstract: This exploratory study examined the feasibility of (a) a reading methods course promoting habits of inquiry in preservice teachers and (b) using "video cases" as a means of both promoting habits of inquiry and measuring the extent to which a preservice teacher has developed the dimensions of inquiry-based teaching. Three dimensions of inquiry were identified: the ability to describe the pertinent facts of a situation, the ability to analyze and synthesize the facts, and the ability to demonstrate intelligent action and further experimentation. Prior to a methods course in reading and then again after completing the methods course, preservice teachers were shown a video case of a struggling reader and asked to rate the reader's ability, explain why they rated her as they did, and tell what they would do if they were to work with this reader in the future. Both quantitative and qualitative data indicated that preservice teachers made significant improvement in all three dimensions of inquiry upon completing the reading methods course. Lastly, video cases proved to be an excellent way of measuring the dimensions of inquiry as well as showing curricular potential at promoting inquiry. (Contains 2 tables.)
Abstractor: ERIC
Number of References: 35
Entry Date: 2006
Access URL: https://www.collegereadingassociation.org/rri.html
Accession Number: EJ739801
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This exploratory study examined the feasibility of (a) a reading methods course promoting habits of inquiry in preservice teachers and (b) using "video cases" as a means of both promoting habits of inquiry and measuring the extent to which a preservice teacher has developed the dimensions of inquiry-based teaching. Three dimensions of inquiry were identified: the ability to describe the pertinent facts of a situation, the ability to analyze and synthesize the facts, and the ability to demonstrate intelligent action and further experimentation. Prior to a methods course in reading and then again after completing the methods course, preservice teachers were shown a video case of a struggling reader and asked to rate the reader's ability, explain why they rated her as they did, and tell what they would do if they were to work with this reader in the future. Both quantitative and qualitative data indicated that preservice teachers made significant improvement in all three dimensions of inquiry upon completing the reading methods course. Lastly, video cases proved to be an excellent way of measuring the dimensions of inquiry as well as showing curricular potential at promoting inquiry. (Contains 2 tables.)
ISSN:0886-0246