Bridging theory and practice : student teachers use the project approach

The purpose of this study was to see if student teachers could bridge the gap between what is taught in higher education courses and what they observe practiced in primary school classrooms by implementing developmentally appropriate practices through the use of the Project Approach promoted by Lili...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Owen, Pamela M.
Other Authors: Clark, Patricia
Format: Others
Published: 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/179300
http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1233196
Description
Summary:The purpose of this study was to see if student teachers could bridge the gap between what is taught in higher education courses and what they observe practiced in primary school classrooms by implementing developmentally appropriate practices through the use of the Project Approach promoted by Lilian Katz and Sylvia Chard. Issues and attitudes that developed were also reviewed.Two student teachers provided the data for this qualitative study. The case studies consisted of interviews, observations, and documentation examination. Positive attitudes toward research and theory emerged. Issues that were identified included time, writing lesson plans, lack of a model, and the student teaching triad. Despite the issues it was determined that providing a framework to implement theory assists student teachers when they attempt to implement theory. In this particular study, providing the framework of the Project Approach aided the student teachers in implementing developmentally appropriate practices. === Department of Elementary Education