PRACTICUM IN A SELF-CONTAINED ENVIRONMENT: PRE-SERVICE TEACHER PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Authors

  • Ryan Rust
  • Oleg Sinelnikov

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore preservice physical education teacher perceptions of teaching students with disabilities and professional preparation in a self-contained environment during a student teaching practicum. Data collection included formal interviews, informal interviews, direct observation with field notes, and critical incident reports; and took place during a seven week student teaching practicum at a school which only serves students with severe and profound disabilities. Qualitative techniques were used to analyze the results. The results indicated a pre-service teacher’s perception that a PETE program provided him with adequate preparation for teaching students with disabilities, but also suggested a need of presenting more realistic settings for teaching students with disabilities prior to practicum. In addition, the pre-service teacher, while focused on his own teaching, identified the pedagogical content knowledge for teaching students with disabilities as fundamental in successful teaching.?

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Published

2010-01-26

Issue

Section

Articles