Pre-service Teacher Learning from Field Experiences During a Study Abroad Program

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 11:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Culturally Responsive Pathways in Preservice Teacher Education: Identity, Global Experiences, and Literature-Based Pedagogy

Abstract

Study abroad offers growth opportunities for pre-service teachers (PSTs), such as increased intercultural competence. Prior research has tended to focus on PST study abroad programs with relatively brief field experiences. What is learned from extended, intensive school placements for PSTs abroad is therefore not well understood. This paper thus addresses a gap in the literature by describing PSTs’ (n = 11) perceptions of their participation in a semester-long study abroad program in Aotearoa New Zealand that included a month-long, full-time field experience. Based upon open coding and inductive analysis of semi-structured interview data, we found that students’ reflections included focusing on what they were learning about school curriculum and practices, especially in contrast to schooling in the US.

Authors

• Mark T. Enfield, Elon University

• Jeffrey P. Carpenter, Elon University

• Heidi Hollingsworth, Elon University

• Bill Burress, Elon University