Akyeampong, Kwame (2017) Teacher educators' practice and vision of good teaching in teacher education reform context in Ghana. Educational Researcher, 46 (4). pp. 194-203. ISSN 0013-189X

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Abstract

Teacher education in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) has been criticized for the lack of attention to learning to teach in real classrooms, which limits the opportunity for pre-service teachers to successfully introduce learner-centered pedagogy in African primary school classrooms. To address this problem, Ghana has implemented a teacher education reform since 2004 to incorporate practicum. However, the critical role of teacher educators has been overlooked by policymakers, and few studies have qualitatively investigated their practice and vision. The study draws on qualitative data from the Ghana component of the Teacher Preparation in Africa (TPA) research project to explore eight teacher educators’ practice and vision of good teaching of primary mathematics. The study found that teacher educators’ practice and vision of good teaching consist of the use of teaching and learning materials (TLMs) and small group activities following specific steps without understanding the principles of learner-centered pedagogy that could be applied in a variety of classroom contexts and mathematics topics. The study also identified the hierarchical relationship between teacher educators and school teachers as a major challenge for effective practicum, limiting the opportunity to transform teacher educators’ vision and practice of primary mathematics teaching. Recommendations for enhancing professional learning opportunities for teacher educators are offered.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	educational reform; Ghana; in-depth interviewing; learner-centered methods; learner-centered pedagogy; mentors; practicum; qualitative research; teacher education/development; teacher educators; teacher preparation in sub-Saharan Africa; teacher research
Schools and Departments:	School of Education and Social Work > Education
Research Centres and Groups:	Centre for International Education
Subjects:	L Education L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1025 Teaching (Principles and practice)
Depositing User:	Albert Akyeampong
Date Deposited:	18 Oct 2017 07:58
Last Modified:	18 Oct 2017 11:59
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/70552

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