ERIC Number: EJ1234043
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1359 6748
EISSN: N/A
Using Activity Theory and Q Methodology to Examine the Experiences of In-Service Trainee Teachers in the English Further Education Sector
Kentzer, Nichola; Bracey, Paul; Devecchi, Cristina
Research in Post-Compulsory Education, v24 n4 p439-461 2019
Where a high proportion of teachers who practice in primary and secondary schools are trained in a pre-service university setting, further education (FE) colleges train the majority of their teaching staff on an in-service, part-time basis. This paper discusses the experiences of eleven new teachers, based in two FE colleges, during their first year of an initial teacher training (ITT) course and examines the support provided by subject-specific mentors, both in terms of their expectations and actual experiences of being mentored. Q methodology was used as the main data collection tool, with the addition of post Q sort interviews. Forty eight statements, developed using focus groups with trainees and an extensive literature review, were sorted by the eleven trainee teachers. Findings indicated that all the participating trainees painted a positive picture about what a mentor could and should offer an in-service trainee in FE. However, in reality, differences in experiences were reported. In addition, there was evidence of the trainees finding support outside of the mentor-trainee dyad, in the form of communities of practice.
Descriptors: Social Theories, Q Methodology, Inservice Teacher Education, Foreign Countries, Teacher Education Programs, Mentors, Student Attitudes, Teacher Collaboration
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A