Evaluating the Reflective Practice of Preservice Teachers in Catholic Secondary Schools

Abstract

This evaluation research study reports on aspects of the conceptualisation and early implementation of the model of preservice teacher education and training established in the College of Education at the University of Notre Dame Australia, to provide a pool of lay teachers for Catholic schools who are specially prepared to replace the priests, brothers and nuns who have progressively declined in numbers. Data for formative use in revising the model and evaluating its strengths and limitations are also presented within an interpretive framework. These data were derived from an analysis of a cohort of graduating students’ reflective diaries synthesised as colloquium papers on completion of the one year ‘end on’ graduate diploma course. The colloquia were designed to help graduating students to personally reflect on, and crystallise, their recorded experiences and emergent insights obtained over the course of the year. Adjustments to the model are considered in the light of the data and the future expansion of the University.