Learning to be a teacher in Catalonia and Finland: commonalities and differences

Authors

  • Natalia Contreras González Ramón Llull University. FPCEE Blanquerna. Research Group Interuniversity Seminar on Identity and New Educational Trajectories (SINTE)
  • Eva Liesa Hernández Ramón Llull University. FPCEE Blanquerna. Research Group Interuniversity Seminar on Identity and New Educational Trajectories (SINTE)
  • Paula Mayoral Serrat Ramon Llull University. FPCEE Blanquerna. Research Group Interuniversity Seminar on Identity and New Educational Trajectories (SINTE)
  • Auli Toom University of Helsinki. Center for University Teaching and Learning (HYPE)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32093/ambits.vi60504968

Keywords:

practicum, future teachers, mentors, inquiry

Abstract

The teaching practicum is a fundamental and indispensable part of initial teacher training. It is an opportunity for student teacher to connect theory and practice and to demonstrate their professional competencies. There is a broad international consensus as to the educational importance of school-based internships for future teachers. This article explores the specific approaches to the teaching practicum in Finland and Catalonia, focusing on similarities and differences between the two models. The article covers essential topics such as the structure of the practicum, the schools that host student interns, the development of the inquiry competence during the practicum, the experiences and activities to which students are exposed, supervision and mentoring during the process, and the assessment of this period. Ultimately, this article seeks to open a debate and to promote reflection on key aspects that might prompt a reconsideration and lead to improvements in the training of future teachers.

References

Agència per a la Qualitat del Sistema Universitari de Catalunya. (2009). Guia per a l’avaluació de competències en el pràcticum de mestre. Barcelona: Author.

Ahonen, E; Pyhältö, K; Pietarinen, J, & Soini, T. (2015). Student teachers’ key learning experiences–Mapping the steps for becoming a professional teacher. International Journal of Higher Education, 4(1), 151-165. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v4n1p151.

Baan, J., Gaikhorst, L., van't Noordende, J., & Volman, M. (2019). The involvement in inquiry-based working of teachers of research-intensive versus practically oriented teacher education programmes. Teaching and Teacher Education, 84, 74-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2019.05.001

Badia, A., Konstantinidis, A., & Baan, J. (2022). The identity of the teacher as an inquirer. In C. Monereo (Ed.). The identity of education professionals: Positioning, training & innovation (pp. 109-131). Charlotte, NC.

Badia, A., Becerril, L., & Gomez, M. (2021). Four types of teachers’ voices on critical incidents in teaching. Teacher Development, 25(2), 120–135.https://doi.org/ 10.1080/13664530.2021.1882549

Beauchamp, C., & Thomas, L. (2009). Understanding teacher identity: An overview of issues in the literature and implications for teacher education. Cambridge journal of education, 39(2), 175-189. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057640902902252

Bendtsen, M., Eklund, G., Forsman, L., & Pörn, M. (2019). Student teachers’ experiences of action research-based projects: two cases within pre-service teacher education in Finland. Educational Action Research, 29(5), 707-721. https://doi.org/10.1080/09650792.2019.1684969

Byman, R., L. Krokfors, A. Toom, K. Maaranen, T. Jyrhämä, H. Kynäslahti, & P. Kansanen. (2009). Educating Inquiry-oriented Teachers: Students’ Attitudes and Experiences Towards Research-based Teacher Education. Educational Research and Evaluation 15(1), 79–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/13803610802591808.

Cain, T., Brindley, S., Brown, C., Jones, G., & Riga, F. (2019). Bounded decision‐making, teachers’ reflection and organisational learning: How research can inform teachers and teaching. British Educational Research Journal, 45(5), 1072-1087. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3551

Canelo, J., & Liesa, E. (2020). Els incidents crítics a les aules de Pràcticum universitari. Àmbits de Psicopedagogia i Orientació, (52), 43-56. https://doi.org/10.32093/ambits.vi52.2115

Cian, H., Dsouza, N., Lyons, R., & Cook, M. (2017). Influences on the development of inquiry-based practices among preservice teachers. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 28(2), 186-204. https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560X.2016.1277832

Contreras, N., Liesa, E., & Giralt-Romeu, M. (2024). How pre-service teachers change their view of forms of inquiry after participating in an inquiry-based practicum. Teaching and Teacher Education, 140, 104478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104478

Cordingley, P. (2008). Research and evidence-informed practice: Focusing on practice and practitioners. Cambridge Journal of Education, 38(1), 37-52. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057640801889964.

Duran, D., Corcelles, M., Flores, M., & Miquel, E. (2019). Changes in attitudes and willingness to use co-teaching through pre-service teacher training experiences. Professional Development in Education, 46(5), 770-779. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2019.1634631

Flores, M. A. (2018). Linking teaching and research in initial teacher education: knowledge mobilization and research-informed practice. Journal of Education for Teaching, 44(5), 621-636. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2018.1516351.

Giralt-Romeu, M., Liesa, E., Mayoral, P., & Becerril, L. (2020). Student teachers' positioning with regard to their key learning experiences in the first practicum. Quaderns de psicologia, 22(2), 0004.

Giralt-Romeu, M., Liesa, E., & Castelló, M. (2021). I research, you research: do future teachers consider themselves researchers?(Yo investigo, tú investigas;¿ se consideran investigadores los futuros maestros?). Journal for the Study of Education and Development, 44(3), 586-622. https://doi.org/10.1080/02103702.2020.1759001

Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The power of feedback. Review of educational research, 77, 81-112. https://doi.org/10.3102/003465430298487

Heikonen, L., Toom, A., Pyhältö, K., Pietarinen, J., & Soini, T. (2017). Student-teachers’ strategies in classroom interaction in the context of the teaching practicum. Journal of Education for Teaching, 43(5), 534-549. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2017.1355080

Hennissen, P., Crasborn, F., Brouwer, N., Korthagen, F., & Bergen, T. (2011). Clarifying pre-service teacher perceptions of mentor teachers’ developing use of mentoring skills. Teaching and teacher education, 27, 1049-1058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2011.03.009

Jakku-Sihvonen, R., & Niemi, H. (2006). Research-based teacher education in Finland: Reflections by Finnish teacher educators (Vol. 25). Turku, Finland: Suomen Kasvatustieteellinen Seura.

Jyrhämä, R., & Maaranen, K. (2012). Research Orientation in a Teacher's Work. In H. Niemi, A. Toom, & A. Kallioniemi (Eds.), Miracle of education: The Principles and Practices of Teaching and Learning in Finnish Schools (pp. 97-111).

Kansanen, P., Tirri, K., Meri, M., Krokfors, L., Husu, J., & Jyrhämä, R. (2000). Teachers’ pedagogical thinking: Theoretical landscapes, practical challenges.

Kansanen, P. (2005). The idea of research-based teacher education. Schulbegleiforschung. Erwatungen-Ergebnisse-Wirkungen.

Körkkö, M., Kyrö-Ämmälä, O., & Turunen, T. (2016). Professional development thought reflection in teacher education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 55, 198–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.01.014

Korthagen , F. 2004 . In search of the essence of a good teacher: Towards a more holistic approach in teacher education . Teaching and Teacher Education , 20,77 – 97.

LaBoskey, V. K., & Richert, A. E. (2015). Self- study as a means for urban teachers to transform academics. Studying Teacher Education, 11(2), 164e179. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425964.2015.1045774.

Maaranen, K., & Stenberg, K. (2017). Portraying reflection: The contents of student teachers’ reflection on personal practical theories and practicum experience. Reflective Practice, 18(5), 699-712. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2017.1323729

Manderstedt, L., Viklund, S., Palo, A., & Lillsebbas, H. (2023). Meeting eye to eye: the power relations in triadic mentoring of the degree project in teacher education. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 31(4), 512-531 https://doi.org/10.1080/13611267.2023.2224256

Martín, P., García, M. L., & Mena, J. (2022). El Prácticum en el Grado de Maestro/a de Educación Infantil: análisis de diarios docentes. Revista complutense de educación 33(1) 131-140. https://doi.org/10.5209/RCED.73838

Mauri, T., Onrubia, J., Colomina, R., & Clarà, M. (2019). Sharing initial teacher education between school and university: participants’ perceptions of their roles and learning. Teachers and Teaching, 25(4), 469-485. https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2019.1601076

Mena, J., Hennissen, P., & Loughran, J. (2017). Developing pre-service teachers' professional knowledge of teaching: The influence of mentoring. Teaching and teacher education, 66, 47-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2017.03.024

Miquel, E. & Duran, D., (2017). Peer learning network: implementing and sustaining cooperative learning by teacher collaboration. Journal of education for teaching, 43 (3), 349–360. https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2017.1319509

Mtika, P., Robson, D., & Fitzpatrick, R. (2014). Joint observation of student teaching and related tripartite dialogue during field experience: Partner perspectives. Teaching and teacher education, 39, 66-76.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2013.12.006

Niemi, H., & Nevgi, A. (2014). Research studies and active learning promoting professional competences in Finnish teacher education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 42, 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2014.07.006.

Rytivaara, A. and Kershner, R. (2012). Co-teaching as a context for teachers’ professional learning and joint knowledge construction. Teaching and teacher education, 28, 999–1008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2012.05.006

Saariaho, E., Pyhältö, K., Toom, A., Pietarinen, J., & Soini, T. (2016). Student teachers’ self-and co-regulation of learning during teacher education. Learning: Research and Practice, 2(1), 44-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/23735082.2015.1081395

Schön, D. A. (2017). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. Routledge.

Spooner-Lane, R. (2017). Mentoring beginning teachers in primary schools: research review. Professional Development in Education, 43(2), 253-273. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2016.1148624

Toom, A., Husu, J., & Patrikainen, S. (2015). Student teachers’ patterns of reflection in the context of teaching practice. European Journal of Teacher Education, 38(3), 320-340. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2014.943731

Vieira, F., Flores, M. A., da Silva, J. L. C., Almeida, M. J., & Vilaça, T. (2021). Inquiry-based professional learning in the practicum: Potential and shortcomings. Teaching and Teacher Education, 105, 103429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103429

Wiseman, A. W. (2010). The uses of evidence for educational policymaking: Global contexts and international trends. Review of Research in Education, 34(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X09350472.

Zeichner, K. (2010). Rethinking the connections between campus courses and field experiences in college-and university-based teacher education. Journal of teacher education, 61(1-2), 89-99. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487109347671

Zhang, X. H. (2016). The Professional Identity of Pre-Service Teachers: Structure and Factors. Doctoral dissertation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing.

Zwart, R. C., Smit, B., & Admiraal, W. (2015). A closer look at teacher research: A review study into the nature and value of research conducted by teachers. Pedagogische Studies, 92(2), 131-149.

Published

2024-11-19

Issue

Section

Educational Psychology and Counselling