Although field education is considered the signature pedagogy of social work education, there is a paucity of research examining how Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) and foundation year-Masters of Social Work (FY-MSW) students perceive strategies designed to prepare them for field placement. To enhance readiness for practicum, an interactive role…

Student mental health and well-being are increasing concerns in higher education. This exploratory study examined students' learning in a mindfulness programme incorporated into an undergraduate class. Six brief mindfulness-based practices were introduced: mindfulness meditation, walking meditation, body scan, mindful eating, loving-kindness and…

In this article, we discuss our recent and current efforts to offer an innovative form of ongoing teacher education designed explicitly for Internationally Educated Teachers (IETs), which might be considered a type of in-service teacher education. We share some of the observations of IETs who have completed the Faculty of Education's Bridging…

Teacher education programs in Canada--by the nature of their geographic locations and composition of their faculty and students--remain largely urban centric in their values and programs. Yet, teacher education programs are responsible for preparing teachers for rural, remote, and northern teaching experiences. In this study, I explore the…

In response to the lack of Canadian research about the practicum experiences of pre-service teachers with disabilities, a survey of ten Directors of Student Teaching in Western Canadian universities was conducted and revealed both strengths and challenges in current practices. Recommendations for teacher education are explored, and several future…

Recent calls to improve the quality of education in schools have drawn attention to the importance of teachers' preparation for work in classroom settings. Although the practicum has long been the traditional means for pre-service teachers to learn and practice classroom teaching, it does not always offer student teachers the time, safe practice…

Pre-service teacher education programs have undergone strong criticism with regards to their effectiveness in preparing pre-service teacher candidates for the teaching profession. This qualitative case study explored the influence two different pre-service teacher education programs had on pre-service teacher candidates' perceptions of readiness…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the "simSchool" (v.1) simulation as a tool for preparing student teachers for actual classroom teaching. Twenty-two student teachers used the simulation for a practice session and two test sessions; data included objective performance statistics generated by the simulation program, self-rated…

We examined the effectiveness of a professional development school model of teacher education in Canada. Teacher education candidates responded positively to program features related to sustained participation and collaboration in school communities throughout the year. Their efficacy beliefs about developing professional knowledge were most…

This research examined the developmental progression of child and youth care students in practicum placements and teaching strategies used by practicum supervisors according to their practicum students' developmental levels. Eight university practicum supervisors participated in a focus group regarding their perceptions of differences between…

A Canadian survey concerning the effectiveness of student teaching experience suggests that while the programs may not appeal to the students, the preparation they afford students is well received. (MSE)

This paper describes and assesses research in preservice teacher education conducted in Canada over the past 15 years and identifies priorities for improving its quality. It concludes that future research requires understanding the content of teacher education, the options open to planners, and the conceptualizations driving teacher preparation.…

The University of Alberta (Canada) has developed a range of collaborative relationships in its teacher preparation program. Over 5 years, the faculty developed collaborative relationships in five categories: (1) meta-collaboration to promote and study collaboration; (2) university students in regular classrooms during curriculum and instruction…

A Faculty of Education dramatically restructured its preservice teacher education program by putting experience first through introducing an extended fall-term practicum of 14 weeks. Focus group interviews were conducted with elementary and secondary teachers and administrators over a 3-year period, prior to and twice during the controversial…