Preservice Teacher’s Early Field Experience Odyssey: Skills Development Trends in Reflection Journals

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Abstract

This longitudinal trend study investigates the reflective practices of preservice teachers across three academic years from 2019 - 2022 academic year., focusing on early field experiences, development of 21st-century skills, and levels of reflection. Utilizing secondary data and new entries from reflection journals from 22 participants, the study employed qualitative and quantitative analysis to analyze trends in the 4C skills (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creative thinking) and levels of reflection (descriptive, analytic, empathic, metacognitive). Results reveal an increased emphasis on communication and collaboration, a decline in critical thinking, and modest growth in creative thinking. Reflective practices evolved, with growing empathic reflections and stable analytic focus, highlighting trends in preservice teachers' professional development.

Authors

• Weihsuan Lo, University of Northern Colorado

• Deborah Romero, University of Northern Colorado