By John D Bain, Roy Ballantyne, Colleen Mills, Nita C Lester

Published: 2002
ISBN: 978-1-876682-31-6
Pages: 139 (PDF Version)
Imprint: Post Pressed

Student teachers face many challenges when they plan and practice teaching in another teacher's classroom. They soon discover that there are no sure-fire procedures for successful teaching, and that to be effective they have to plan and adjust constantly. The longstanding problem is how to do this in an informed and enjoyable way that will enhance their professional development.

Reflection is providing the answer. This book aims to assist student teachers to reflect deeply upon their professional practice and the broader issues confronting school education. It is introduced with a brief chapter summarising the research literature on reflection, and another in which the 5Rs framework for reflective writing is introduced and illustrated.

However, the main emphasis of the book is upon student teachers' reflections on their practicum experiences in primary and secondary schools. Their contributions - together with responses from practising teachers, school administrators and teacher educators - are grouped under five broad headings:

• Teaching for learning
• Classroom organisation and management
• Behaviour management
• Professional concerns
• Assessment

Future generations of student teachers are invited to contribute their reflections to forthcoming editions of the book.

Table of Contents