Closing the Experience Gap: The Influence of an Immersed Methods Course in Science

ABSTRACT

This exploratory case study centered on 3 beginning elementary science teachers who experienced variations in practice-based instructional approaches within their elementary teacher development sequence. We define practice-based instructional approaches as engaging with teaching approximations that occur in authentic classroom settings with students and center on teaching practices such as formative assessment and crafting responsive instruction using supportive curriculum materials. We examined the teacher preparation and induction experiences that shaped the teachers’ confidence and perceived competency as science teachers. Study trends highlighted 4 factors that were especially impactful: engagement in reform-based instruction, immersed guided practice, school-based collaborative support for reform-based instruction, and alignment of preservice and induction period instructional practices. We posit that these 4 types of experiences form the basis of a practice-based model for elementary science teacher development that spans the preservice and induction periods and has the potential to alleviate pressing issues in elementary science teacher development. This exploratory case study captured data via teachers’ written and interview responses as well as narrative summary member checking.

KEYWORDS:

• elementary science methods
• elementary science teacher
• embedded methods course
• preservice science teacher

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.