Building Teacher Candidates’ Adaptive Expertise: Engaging Teachers From Diverse Communities in Prompting Reflection Through E-Portfolios

• In Event: Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: Portfolios and Reflection in Teaching and Teacher Education SIG

Abstract

Adaptive expertise, or the ability to apply knowledge with efficiency and innovation, is a challenging and critical outcome for teacher education programs focused on preparing graduates for career-long learning and rapidly changing environments (Bransford, Derry, Berliner, & Hammerness, 2005). This paper presents a collaborative process for teacher educators, teacher candidates, and accomplished teachers from diverse communities to engage in meaningful reflection through ePortfolios. Using an adaptive expertise framework, this process is designed to: 1) support special education teacher candidates’ growth in understanding the contexts of teaching and the diversity of students’ interests and needs, while they are developing their pedagogical knowledge and skills; and 2) engage veteran teachers in curricular alignment and dialog with aspiring teachers to foster adaptive expertise.

Authors

• Evelyn Reed, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Serra De Arment, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Angie Wetzel, Virginia Commonwealth University