Creating a community of learners in a middle school methods course

Abstract

This examination of practice aims to share pedagogical practices, grounded in the research of teaching and learning, for building a community of learners in teacher education coursework. The pedagogical exploration supports explicit modeling of strategies to support teacher candidates in their mission to develop a community of learners in their own middle school classroom. The strategies described include community building assignments, collaborative unit planning, modifications to instructor pedagogy, and classroom design. Teacher candidates need instructors who model such teaching practices for effective conceptualization of a community of learners. Such modeling demonstrates how to build trust and develop supportive relationships in a classroom. Building relationships with students has been regarded as one of the most important means of supporting student learning.

Keywords:

• community of learners
• middle school methods course
• teacher preparation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lisa Andries D’Souza

Lisa Andries D’Souza, Ph.D., is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Education at Assumption College in Worcester, MA. E-mail: [email protected]