Comparing the Effects of Community Partnerships on Online Preservice Teacher Content Knowledge and Self-Efficacy

• In Event: 72.048 - Roundtable Session 33
  In Roundtable Session: 72.048-3 - Preservice Teacher Education and the Role of Technology

Abstract

Online pre-service Early Childhood through 6th (EC6) grade teacher candidates participate annually in "Bugs, Bees, Butterflies, & Blossoms" (BBBB), to demonstrate competency in the teaching of science content. Online candidates facilitate daily field investigations for elementary school students as a component of the teacher training coursework over the course of one week. Researchers collected data via electronic pre and post surveys, focus group interviews, and post program reflections to determine the effect of this event on teacher candidate content knowledge and teacher efficacy. Quantitative pre and post data was collected via electronic survey and analyzed using OSTE/Short Form and Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Instrument. Post-test scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores for content knowledge and teacher efficacy.

Authors

• Paula Griffin, Stephen F. Austin State University

• Alan Sowards, Stephen F. Austin State University