Preservice Teachers' Perspectives on the School Librarian and Integrating Makerspace in Their Future Classrooms

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: Transformative Pedagogy: Disrupting Comfort and Advancing Equity in the Teacher Education Classroom

Abstract

This study describes one phase of an ongoing project in a teacher education program that aims to enhance preservice teachers’ knowledge of the role of the school librarian and utilizing makerspace in their future classrooms. Qualitative analysis was conducted on preservice teachers’ beliefs before and after attending professional learning workshops led by school librarians. Results showed that preservice teachers gained new insights about school librarians’ responsibilities as teacher, instructional partner, and information specialist. Preservice teachers in this study also cultivated a maker mindset and were motivated to create a makerspace in their future classrooms.

Author

• Li Sun, Augustana University