Impact of a Content Area Practicum Experience on Preservice Teacher Content and Pedagogical Efficacy

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: Innovations in Field Experiences

Abstract

The Content Area Practicum Experience (CAPE) places middle grades teacher candidates in organizations related to the subject areas they plan to teach. The theoretical framework behind this program in centered on the reality that secondary education is evolving and the demand for content expertise for today’s educators is dramatically increasing. Much of today’s college content interaction resides in coursework. A real life “experience” with science, history, math or English is lacking in the traditional college curriculum. Approximately 24 pre-service teachers were placed in organizations that were associated with their certification area. Here the future educators interacted, engaged and interned with professional scientists, historians, statisticians or writers. Participants were then surveyed to determine program impact on content knowledge and pedagogical efficacy.

Author

• Timothy Andrew Goodale, College of Coastal Georgia