Revisiting and Refreshing the Apprenticeship of Observation Concept

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 10:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Learning and Learning to Teach (Table 9)

Abstract

Pre-service teachers (PSTs) enter educator preparation programs (EPPs) with experiences from their K-12 years that help shape their expectations and understanding of teaching. Lortie (1975) described PSTs’ own experiences in schools as K-12 students as an apprenticeship of observation. We interviewed PSTs (N=28) about factors, experiences, and role models contributing to their understanding of teaching. These PSTs universally spoke to influences consistent with Lortie’s apprenticeship of observation concept. However, the participants also mentioned other experiences that influenced their perceptions of teaching. PSTs reported learning about teaching via social media, from relatives who were teachers, and through education-related experiences (e.g., volunteering, internships) during their K-12 years. We discuss the implications of PSTs bringing these varied apprenticeships to their EPPs.

Authors

• Jeffrey P. Carpenter, Elon University

• Scott Morrison, Elon University