Facilitating Community-Based Field Experiences: Experiences From Children's Museums, a Museum School, and a Construction Site

• In Event: 35.078 - MTCC Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 35.078-1 - Community-Based Field Experiences That Build Preservice Teachers' Critical Consciousness

Abstract

This paper will present the findings of a qualitative collective case study examining the experiences of four teacher educators who facilitate community-based field experiences for preservice teachers. Community-based field experiences are conceptualized as those occurring in community settings but outside the formal PK-12 educational system. The participants, three from the United States and one from Canada, were all responsible for the development and facilitation of the community-based experiences for their students. Through collaborative conversations spanning more than a year, two research questions were considered. In what ways do community-based field experiences enhance the work of teacher educators? In what ways do community-based field experiences challenge teacher educators’ work? Both enhancements and challenges to the work of teacher educators are identified.

Authors

• Amy Burns, University of Calgary

• Linda Taylor, Ball State University

• Alison E Leonard, Clemson University

• Erica R Hamilton, Grand Valley State University