COVID Silver Lining: Perceived Benefits of Alternative Field Experiences for Preservice Teachers

• In Event: Designing Field-Based Learning for Connectedness During Times of Disconnect and Crisis

Abstract

One of the most valuable components of teacher education is providing opportunities for students to gain clinical experience in P-12 school settings. With the rise of COVID-19 however, P-12 schools took necessary safety precautions, which included closing their doors to outside visitors and forcing schools of education to provide pre-service teachers with alternatives to field-based learning. Drawing from surveys and course documents, we examine pre-service teachers’ beliefs and perceptions about teaching, given these alternative pedagogies and discuss the advantages or “silver lining” to what was otherwise a very disruptive year to education systems around the globe.

Authors

• Stephanie L. Brown, York College of Pennsylvania

• Chrystine Mitchell, Alvernia University

• Katie Lewis