Collaboration and Connections: Investigating the Use of Observation Protocols to Connect Research to Classroom Practice in an Educator Preparation Program

• In Event: 31.059 - Preparing Educators for Constructivist Learning Environments

Abstract

The study investigated the effectiveness of teacher candidate-created observation protocols to connect research to practice. Teacher candidates read current research on best practices for elementary classroom teaching, created observation protocols and observed in elementary classrooms for use of the research-based practices by classroom teachers. The study purposed to immerse teacher candidates in current research-based readings, to have the candidates think critically about the research to determine key themes, to use this information to collaboratively create observation protocols, and then to subsequently observe the practices and / or strategies of mentor teachers in field experience classrooms to connect the readings to classroom practice.

Authors

• Jannah Walters Nerren, Stephen F. Austin State University

• Tracey Covington Hasbun, Stephen F. Austin State University