Challenging the "Seeking for Right Answer" Habit: A Self-Study of Teacher Education Practice in Japan

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Self-Study as a Tool to Develop Novice Teacher Educator Practices

Abstract

Japanese student teachers in this transit era take important roles to foster inclusive society, but there seems to be a gap between theory and practice in their understanding of inclusive education. During my research visit to the Japanese teacher university, I found that active discussion was insufficient within inclusive education context. The aim of this self-study is to explore how I support Japanese student teachers’ freedom in learning with my hybrid resources. Collected data are student teachers’ feedback, audio, video recording and my reflective journal. Through collaborative activity, student teachers discovered that they need to enjoy themselves with children for genuine inclusion. Their discovery raises a question to the current Japanese teacher education system.

Author

• Megumi Nishida, University of Iceland