The Deeper Meanings of Mistake-Related Words Among Elementary Teachers (Poster 20): SIG-Lives of Teachers, Stage 2, 4:08 PM

• In Event: e-Lightening Ed-Talk Session 16 - Stage 2

Abstract

Words have power, and the definitions we carry with us can shape our actions. Further, facing mistakes is the key to advancing new frontiers for all learners, old and young. This qualitative interview study (n=36) provides an in-depth thematic analysis of U.S. elementary teachers’ definitions of four mistake-related words: mistake, failure, error, and misunderstanding. With the rich insights gleaned through a grounded theory approach, we consider ways that these definitions reflect teacher beliefs about learning from mistakes and connect to their daily instructional practices, teacher-student interactions, and classroom culture.

Authors

• Maleka Donaldson, Smith College

• Audrey Bloom, Smith College