Empowering Beginning Student Teachers: challenges for teacher educators

Abstract

In recent years, the model of imparted learning underlying many traditional preservice—teacher programmes has given way to an emphasis on constructed learning, in which student teachers are encouraged to develop their own understanding of what it means to be a teacher. Underlying this trend is an assumption that student teachers are becoming more empowered as learners. This paper investigates that assumption. It reports on a study which used Belenky et al.’s (1986) conceptual framework to explore the epistemological perspectives of a group of first‐year early‐childhood student teachers. Although the student teachers were enrolled in a preservice programme which seeks to foster reflective practices, few could be considered empowered learners. The paper suggests that, if student teachers are to become more empowered, teacher educators may need to undertake considerable soul‐searching concerning their practice.