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Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Writing is a key component of primary EFL education and the way it is taught can influence pupils’ language learning. To enhance written and overall proficiency, collaborative writing (CW) has been advocated, but few CW studies include teachers of young learners. Their views on writing instruction are relevant to consider, since they can have an impact on classroom teaching and pupils’ progress in EFL. This study therefore adopts semi-structured interviews with 15 Swedish EFL teachers to explore their beliefs about how CW affects 10–12-year-olds’ EFL learning opportunities. A reflexive thematic analysis generated six themes, where perceived beneficial outcomes of CW concern vocabulary expansion, writing improvement, motivation and a decrease in foreign language anxiety. Constraints, according to the teachers, relate to grouping pupils to maximise linguistic gains and finding time for CW. The study concludes that the teachers believe CW to be a multifaceted approach that potentially supports young learners as EFL users in general and writers specifically.

Abstract Although learning-oriented assessment (LOA) has been recognized as an effective method of assessment, the literature on this concept in relation to teacher professionalism is limited. In response to this gap, the present study explored 16 Iranian novice and experienced EFL teachers’ beliefs and practices of LOA. Data were collected from self-reported practices and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the data through MAXQDA revealed that the novice and experienced teachers’ LOA beliefs featured similarities and differences. While the novice teachers’ LOA beliefs were less sophisticated, experienced teachers highlighted a more central role for LOA in their integration of teaching and assessment. Moreover, while novice teachers preferred using self- and peer assessment, the experienced teachers used more portfolio and dynamic assessment for their LOA-related practices. The study provides implications for teachers and teacher educators to use LOA in professional development courses.

Abstract Background Reading and reading comprehension are crucial skills, yet many students in grade 4 struggle with them. To address this, several instructional practices have gained popularity. For one, explicit reading strategy instruction (ERSI) is deemed useful, given the finding that successful readers tend to employ reading strategies. As a second example, differentiated reading instruction (DRI) is believed to improve all students’ reading comprehension. Indeed, a one-size-fits-all approach may not work for all students, considering their different reader profiles. Despite the importance of ERSI and DRI, much uncertainty remains about what happens in the classroom and why. One way to understand teacher instructional practices such as ERSI and DRI, is by applying psychological behavioural theories to the teaching context. They provide a framework to predict human behaviour based on human characteristics and beliefs. Educational research points to teachers’ self-efficacy (TSE) and attitudes (TA) as particularly important concepts, especially in the field of science. However, associations between TA, TSE, instructional practices and students’ reading achievement remain insufficiently studied. This study addresses this knowledge gap by exploring the interplay between TSE and TA regarding ERSI and DRI, the implementation of these practices, and students’ reading achievement. Methods DigitalPIRLS 2021 data from Belgium (Flanders) were used. To gather information about ERSI, DRI, TA and TSE, national adaptations were made to the teacher questionnaires. Three nested path models with a two-level design (students nested into classes) were estimated. Results This study indicates that teachers with higher TSE and more positive TA in ERSI and DRI implement these practices more frequently. Positive TA regarding ERSI and DRI also correspond to positive TSE regarding these instructional practices. Furthermore, ERSI and DRI implementation are positively related. Finally, no significant associations between teacher beliefs, instructional practices, and students’ reading comprehension were found. Conclusion Whereas TSE and TA are considered highly context-dependent, uncertainty remains about TSE and TA regarding ERSI and DRI. The results highlight the importance of subject-specific TSE and TA for teachers’ instructional practices. Ultimately, the findings emphasize the necessity of supporting teachers in developing their TSE and TA towards reading comprehension instruction.

This study aims to investigate the differing viewpoints of teachers and students regarding classroom participation, material delivery, teaching media, and assessment methods in the adaptive learning era. The study employs quantitative method, which involves the systematic collection and analysis of numerical data through statistical techniques. This study includes 10 teachers and 50 EFL undergraduate students from two universities in Indonesia, using a Likert scale questionnaire to collect data on various aspects of English language learning. The data were analysed using a t-test to find the mean, standards deviation, and p value of the responses in order to ascertained significant differences between the teachers and the students. The results reveal significant disparities between teachers' and students' perceptions across different dimensions of learning. While teachers prioritize delivery strategies and assessment methods, students focus more on delivery modes and traditional assessment types. However, both groups acknowledge the importance of autonomous learning and the effectiveness of diverse teaching media in enhancing engagement and motivation. The findings underscore the need for a balanced approach to learning that integrates both teacher preferences and student needs. Ultimately, understanding and addressing these discrepancies is essential for promoting meaningful and inclusive educational experiences in the adaptive learning era.

Vocabulary is an important aspect of language learning. This research aims to explore English language teachers' beliefs and practices in vocabulary teaching at Phan Chau Trinh High School, Danang. Through the qualitative data collected via questionnaire, interview and classroom observation, the findings indicated that teachers' beliefs influence their classroom practices during vocabulary teaching. The study also reveals a positive correlation between teachers' own interest and the effectiveness of their vocabulary teaching practices. Despite certain beliefs held by the teachers, different limitations arose, hindering the seamless vocabulary instruction. This shows that maintaining a constant alignment between what teachers believe and what they do in practical contexts is not always possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research indicates that students with disabilities (SWD) are more likely to be involved in bullying; therefore, the development of effective bullying prevention strategies need to consider the experiences of this population. Educators need the knowledge and skills to identify and intervene appropriately in bullying incidents involving SWD. Focus groups included 17 elementary school general and special education teachers, and counselors on their perceptions of bullying and the current bullying intervention landscape at their school. Results indicated teachers and counselors possess general knowledge regarding bullying and utilize a variety of intervention strategies at the classroom- and school-wide level with district support. However, participants did not express unique strategies for identifying or responding to bullying specifically for SWD. Thus, there is a need for teachers to receive additional bully prevention professional development that explicitly considers students most at risk such as SWD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although learning-oriented assessment (LOA) has been recognized as an effective method of assessment, the literature on this concept in relation to teacher professionalism is limited. In response to this gap, the present study explored 16 Iranian novice and experienced EFL teachers' beliefs and practices of LOA. Data were collected from self-reported practices and semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the data through MAXQDA revealed that the novice and experienced teachers' LOA beliefs featured similarities and differences. While the novice teachers' LOA beliefs were less sophisticated, experienced teachers highlighted a more central role for LOA in their integration of teaching and assessment. Moreover, while novice teachers preferred using self- and peer assessment, the experienced teachers used more portfolio and dynamic assessment for their LOA-related practices. The study provides implications for teachers and teacher educators to use LOA in professional development courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reading and reading comprehension are crucial skills, yet many students in grade 4 struggle with them. To address this, several instructional practices have gained popularity. For one, explicit reading strategy instruction (ERSI) is deemed useful, given the finding that successful readers tend to employ reading strategies. As a second example, differentiated reading instruction (DRI) is believed to improve all students' reading comprehension. Indeed, a one-size-fits-all approach may not work for all students, considering their different reader profiles. Despite the importance of ERSI and DRI, much uncertainty remains about what happens in the classroom and why. One way to understand teacher instructional practices such as ERSI and DRI, is by applying psychological behavioural theories to the teaching context. They provide a framework to predict human behaviour based on human characteristics and beliefs. Educational research points to teachers' self-efficacy (TSE) and attitudes (TA) as particularly important concepts, especially in the field of science. However, associations between TA, TSE, instructional practices and students' reading achievement remain insufficiently studied. This study addresses this knowledge gap by exploring the interplay between TSE and TA regarding ERSI and DRI, the implementation of these practices, and students' reading achievement. Methods: DigitalPIRLS 2021 data from Belgium (Flanders) were used. To gather information about ERSI, DRI, TA and TSE, national adaptations were made to the teacher questionnaires. Three nested path models with a two-level design (students nested into classes) were estimated. Results: This study indicates that teachers with higher TSE and more positive TA in ERSI and DRI implement these practices more frequently. Positive TA regarding ERSI and DRI also correspond to positive TSE regarding these instructional practices. Furthermore, ERSI and DRI implementation are positively related. Finally, no significant associations between teacher beliefs, instructional practices, and students' reading comprehension were found. Conclusion: Whereas TSE and TA are considered highly context-dependent, uncertainty remains about TSE and TA regarding ERSI and DRI. The results highlight the importance of subject-specific TSE and TA for teachers' instructional practices. Ultimately, the findings emphasize the necessity of supporting teachers in developing their TSE and TA towards reading comprehension instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, promoting inclusive education has become the central initiative for governments worldwide. The Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework has been developed to address students' differences and meet their learning needs. Although some literature has examined the effectiveness of the UDL framework in teaching practices, little research has explored teachers' and students' beliefs toward the UDL framework. This study used a scoping review methodology to locate previous studies about teachers' and students' beliefs regarding the UDL framework published in peer-reviewed journals in the past 10 years (2014–2023). The data analysis conceptualized three themes and indicated that most teachers and students held positive beliefs toward the UDL framework and thought that the UDL framework could support inclusive practices. However, some barriers, such as teachers' misconceptions, inflexible curriculum, and inadequate professionals, influenced teachers' implementation of the UDL framework. The implications for future research and the recommendations for teachers' practices and professional development are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, research on EFL teachers’ beliefs about translanguaging has significantly grown. However, little qualitative research has been done on teachers’ translanguaging beliefs and practices and the congruity between them. To address this gap in the literature, the current study investigated Iranian EFL teachers’ beliefs and practices, and the correspondence between these beliefs and practices. Data was collected from ten teachers who taught English as a foreign language through semi-structured interviews and classroom observations (three per teachers). The data was analyzed based on the principles of thematic analysis. The results showed that the teachers perceived six dimensions of translanguaging, including diverse beliefs of translanguaging, perceived relevance of translanguaging, pedagogical beliefs and approaches, attitudes toward benefits, concerns and challenges of applying translanguaging, and student-centered approaches. In regard to their practice, the teachers practiced translanguaging in various contexts and through different instructional strategies in their classes. Regarding the correspondence between beliefs and practices, it was found that there was a mainly direct correspondence between beliefs and practices. The study provides implications for teacher educators in running professional development courses that enhance teachers’ awareness of using translanguaging in their classes.

Recently, the sources of teachers’ beliefs and modifications in their beliefs have received special attention; therefore, this longitudinal study investigated Iranian EFL teachers’ pedagogical beliefs. The study attempted to track possible alterations in pedagogical beliefs after participating in a two-year teacher training program and following teaching practices. Through convenient sampling, the researchers selected 24 Iranian EFL teacher students who had teaching experiences of 3-10 years at Islamic Azad University; Shiraz Branch. They collected the required data through a teacher belief questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The results of both quantitative and qualitative data indicated that teaching practices made a unique influence on the modifications in teachers’ pedagogical beliefs. In other words, the results emphasized the power of teaching practice in any modification in teachers’ beliefs over theoretical teaching. These findings have important implications for teacher educators who seek to modify teachers’ beliefs during teacher training programs.

One of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education that promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all citizens. In this context, promoting communicative competence is crucial. It enables individuals not only to understand oral and written texts in the school environment but also to function effectively in society and in interpersonal relationships. Improving the communicative ability of students is particularly important in contexts of social exclusion, where it is crucial to provide comprehensive education based on principles of quality and equity. This paper examines the adherence of Secondary Education teachers to principles and practices related to classroom methodology in environments where there is a risk of social exclusion, with special attention to the development of communication skills. To conduct the study, 407 teachers completed a 60-question questionnaire. The results provide insight into the participating teachers' perceptions of communication skills in contexts of exclusion. These findings have implications for the organizational model of schools and the training of teachers, both pre-service and in-service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the sources of teachers' beliefs and modifications in their beliefs have received special attention; therefore, this longitudinal study investigated Iranian EFL teachers' pedagogical beliefs. The study attempted to track possible alterations in pedagogical beliefs after participating in a two-year teacher training program and following teaching practices. Through convenient sampling, the researchers selected 24 Iranian EFL teacher students who had teaching experiences of 3-10 years at Islamic Azad University; Shiraz Branch. They collected the required data through a teacher belief questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The results of both quantitative and qualitative data indicated that teaching practices made a unique influence on the modifications in teachers' pedagogical beliefs. In other words, the results emphasized the power of teaching practice in any modification in teachers' beliefs over theoretical teaching. These findings have important implications for teacher educators who seek to modify teachers' beliefs during teacher training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study explored how Chinese early childhood teachers’ self-perceptions of their pedagogical content knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes towards Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) differ based on their backgrounds. Additionally, this research explored teachers’ understanding of their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes towards SEL. The study involved surveying 167 early childhood teachers using the Pedagogical Content Knowledge Scale and the SEL Beliefs and Attitudes Scales, as well as conducting semi-structured interviews with 10 early childhood teachers. The study found that teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge and beliefs towards SEL may differ based on their teaching age and educational background. Nevertheless, there is more complexity to these variations than initially assumed, and comprehending this complexity can provide valuable insights into the teachers’ current situation. While teachers demonstrated a positive attitude towards SEL and recognized its significance in promoting children’s overall development, they exhibited lower pedagogical content knowledge scores. This deficit was attributed to a lack of well-structured and high-quality professional learning opportunities. In conclusion, this study aimed to reveal the current state of social-emotional learning among Chinese early childhood teachers, thus addressing a perceived deficiency in the existing Chinese empirical literature.

Guided by sociocultural theory (SCT) perspectives, this mixed-methods study investigated Saudi university EFL instructors' beliefs and teaching practices regarding the creation of culture of thinking (CoT) in language skills classrooms, and the factors affecting this process. Research data were gathered from 169 EFL university instructors through a self-report questionnaire. Among the participants, 12 instructors participated in a semi-structured interview. Additionally, classroom observations were conducted in seven classrooms. Questionnaire data were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics while interview and classroom observation data were analyzed qualitatively. Instructors' beliefs were examined in terms of their conceptions of thinking skills, and their perceptions of the importance of creating and sustaining a CoT in EFL classrooms. Their beliefs and reported practices were then compared to their actual classroom practices. Data analysis revealed several key findings. Firstly, there was an obvious incongruence between instructors' stated beliefs, reported practices, and actual classroom teaching practices. Though most instructors were favorable toward the CoT, they did not apply it to their classrooms. Secondly, several factors were identified to have mediated instructors' beliefs and practices pertaining to the CoT. These factors were related to cultural values (e.g., individual thinking, obedience, and respect for adults) as well as institutional and classroom contexts (e.g., workload, examination system, students' thinking habits, and language proficiency). Finally, instructors lacked the strategies necessary to effectively implement CoT. Based on these findings, pedagogical implications and future research studies are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study explores the relationship between an Italian as a foreign language teacher's beliefs and online teaching practices in a tertiary education setting during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. It aims to find out the teachers' beliefs with regard to their professional identities, and their roles in foreign language teaching classrooms. Besides, it was discussed if the teachers' beliefs concerning their role identities are related to their classroom practices. Data were collected over an academic term through one semi-structured interview and two observations conducted at beginning and at the end of the semester in order to see if there are any differences according to the professional roles of the instructor in the course of time depending on the learners' enhanced Italian language competence. The findings of the study revealed that the instructor acted out as a manager, facilitator, input provider, motivator and a translator in two observations, showing a slight difference in degree of synchronous interaction among the instructor and the students with the printed text, video tape or Web site. The interview responses revealing the instructor's beliefs were correlated with the roles observed in synchronous communication. This study is limited to the online foreign language classroom. It would be interesting to observe what other roles the teachers play in the face-to-face classroom. It may be suggested that the studies investigating those of teachers instructing foreign languages other than English may enlighten the research on teachers' beliefs and their professional role identities and contribute to the professional development of foreign language teachers. Last but not least, for professional growth of pre-service foreign language teachers, preliminary studies on teacher cognition should be included in the curriculum of teaching practicum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored preschool teachers' beliefs about the benefits of young children's outdoor play and play in naturalized play environments. Three face-to-face in-depth, semistructured individual interviews were administered. For data analysis, Charmaz's (2006) constructivist grounded theory was employed using two steps of coding, initial and focused. These teachers' beliefs about the benefits of children's outdoor play in natural environments emerged in three major themes: (1) environmental, physical, and emotional freedom, (2) learning and development through outdoor play, and (3) burning off energy. The links between the findings and the existing literature, implications for practice, and recommendations for further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teachers are pivotal to any efforts to raise the devastatingly low levels of foundational learning that persist across much of the Global South. However, in many education systems, teachers are not equipped with the resources needed for effecting such change. Moreover, numerous reforms have failed to change either children's learning levels or the teacher norms that inadvertently contribute to low learning levels. Moving beyond these circumstances requires an understanding of the factors underlying such norms and of how these factors affect opportunities for changing teacher norms. I examine this question by analyzing the transcripts of interviews with 14 pairs of interlocutors from various contexts who have complementary expertise related to teacher norms. Based on this analysis, I develop a conceptual framework for mapping the factors that sustain teacher norms onto four domains of teachers' experiences: selves (“what I value”), situations (“what can be done”), standards (“what those in charge expect”), and society (broader influences). Different configurations of underlying factors can yield different types of norms: coherent norms, compromise norms, and contestation norms. Drawing on the interviews, I illustrate coherence, compromise, and contestation by discussing examples of teaching narrowly to certain standards and being absent from the classroom during scheduled lessons. Each type of norm offers distinct opportunities for changing the status quo by influencing particular aspects of teachers' selves, situations, and standards. Additionally, one broader opportunity for change is reshaping societal narratives about education and the teaching profession.

Over the last few decades, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have brought about significant disruptions across nearly every industry, including education. Acknowledging the power of the digital revolution to make a positive change, educational policy makers in Luxembourg have made efforts to translate these trends into policies leveraging the potential of technologies while also tackling the challenges they present. However, these efforts and their impact on teacher ICT integration behaviors in Luxembourg are rather underexplored. The aim of the study was to examine and understand factors associated with efficient educational technology practices. The study data were collected through an online survey of 159 teachers and analyzed through a mixed-method approach, including regression and correlation analyses. Findings shed light on the connections between professional use of ICT and a set of interrelated factors such as (a) teacher attitudes followed by (b) subjective norms, (c) teacher self-efficacy beliefs, (d) facilitating conditions, (e) teacher value beliefs, and (f) fundamental pedagogical beliefs. The study also revealed possible deterrents and challenges of ICT integration in Luxembourgish fundamental schools, including gaps between teacher ICT competencies and advanced ICT uses, class management issues, and developed suggestions for professional development training to ensure efficient and advanced ICT uses in the classroom.

Studies on teachers’ beliefs about vocabulary learning and teaching have focused, so far, on English as a second language (L2), or foreign language (FL), in different contexts but little attention has been given to other L2s and FLs. In this study, 15 Spanish L2 instructors at large universities were interviewed in order to better understand where they stand when it comes to (1) the importance they give to vocabulary, as compared to grammar, in their classes, (2) how they decide which words to teach, and (3) how they assess students’ word knowledge. These interviews were subsequently analysed following Grounded Theory. Most instructors declared favoring grammar over vocabulary in their courses because the former is seen as more challenging and useful than the latter and because institutional practices and materials also present such a preference. When it comes to vocabulary selection, most of them declared feeling insecure in their decisions due to lack of access to useful resources and to vocabulary goals not being stated clearly anywhere in the syllabi. This lack of clarity when it comes to vocabulary learning goals also results in doubts about the usefulness of even evaluating word learning at all and an overreliance on informal assessments.

This article argues that consumer-oriented machine translation software applications are disrupting foreign language education. In order to mitigate this impact, the article provides guidance on how to transform teachers’ perceptions of online translators. This process is a critical precondition for the gradual and thoughtful implementation of online translators in the foreign language classroom. The first part of the articles will define the concept of disruption and use the pocket calculator as an historical example to illustrate challenges and solutions for an educational setting that was fundamentally impacted by a new technology. The second part will turn to the present and focus on the impact of online translators not only on ways humans communicate across languages in authentic real-world settings, but also on the foreign language classroom. In the third part, we will argue that a careful recalibration of educational objectives that will have to include the students’ ability to engage effectively in tasks that rely on human-machine collaboration will provide an opportunity to integrate online translators and related technologies into foreign language curricula. To this end, we propose that future generations of language learners need to develop specific competencies that will qualify them to effectively collaborate with online translators and related technologies. The conclusion will outline future leadership priorities for professional organizations and teacher training programs while acknowledging the limitations associated with the integration of the machine translation technologies into language learning environments.

Teacher identity significantly influences pedagogical decisions, classroom practices, and professional development. Understanding the development of preservice teacher identity is particularly important during initial teacher education, as it involves navigating and integrating the perspectives of both a learner and an emerging teacher. This exploratory study investigated the perceptions of teacher identity held by students in a teacher education program at a public university in the United States. Guided by phenomenography and a drawing-based research method, the data sources included drawing tasks and a focus group interview. The findings revealed that the participants had predominantly positive and idealistic views of teacher identity, using various affect-laden symbols in their drawings and depicting themselves with positive characteristics. Although their classrooms were depicted as traditional, the participants emphasized their commitment to promoting student-centered learning and fostering a positive classroom atmosphere. Past schooling experiences were found to be integral in shaping teacher identity, as well as their motivation and passion for teaching a particular subject or concentration area. The findings highlighted that the participants held strong perceptions of teacher identity even before entering the teacher education program. Thus, this study posits that addressing teacher education students' pre-existing beliefs and perceptions is essential to developing positive professional teacher identity development and confirms that drawing can be a powerful reflective tool that stimulates self-awareness of prior beliefs and views toward their chosen teaching profession, thereby preparing them to learn, unlearn, and relearn many aspects of one's personal and professional identity.

Mathematics education research has long focused on students’ conceptual understanding, including highlighting conceptions viewed as problematic and looking for ways to develop more desirable conceptions. Nevertheless, limited research has examined how mathematicians characterize understanding of concepts and definitions or promote activities beneficial for students. Based on interviews with 13 mathematicians, we present thematic characterizations of what it means to understand a concept and definition, highlight activities mathematicians believe assist students’ learning, and examine their reasons for promoting these activities. Results include mathematically grounded descriptions of what it means to understand a concept but general descriptions of approaching and supporting learning. Implications include a need for attending to intended meanings for “understanding” in context and how this impacts appropriate activities for developing understanding, as well as a careful examination of the extant research literature’s claims about seemingly unified notions of conceptual understanding.

Teacher education at universities often lacks practice although preservice teachers should be equipped with effective teaching methods. We conducted an intervention to convey and practice autonomy-supportive teaching behavior (ASTB) with 63 preservice teachers. The first control group (n = 76) did not receive any information on ASTB. A second control group (n = 54) had their regular seminar on ASTB without practicing what they had learned. Significant differences in the participants' (Mage = 24.18 ± 3.26 years; Msemester = 7.61 ± 1.84; 63% female) knowledge, beliefs, and intentions were found. Participants of the intervention had higher theoretical and practical knowledge regarding ASTB and a higher level of perception that ASTB is easy to implement than a seminar without information on ASTB (first control group) and the regular seminar (second control group). That is, their knowledge acquisition and their belief about the ease of implementation were positively affected by the intervention in comparison to both control groups. Although no significant differences were found, preservice teachers in the intervention group also showed the highest level of agreement with the belief about the effectiveness of ASTB and the most pronounced intention to implement ASTB. The results of our study show that the developed intervention based on self-determination theory had a positive impact on preservice teachers' knowledge and beliefs about ASTB as well as their intention to apply it in the future. Since teacher education at university often lacks practice, the development of such effective theory- and practice-based interventions for preservice teachers is especially important. The practical skills acquired in our study are of particular importance for one central challenge teachers face in their profession: the need to counteract the decreasing trend of student motivation during secondary schooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyse the misconceptions, knowledge, and knowledge gaps of 176 Turkish pre-service English as a foreign language teachers about dyslexia which is a prevalent developmental disorder. The data were collected at eight different universities in Türkiye and analysed by SPSS 25.0 via descriptive statistics and the Kruskal Wallis Test, considering the participants’ scores on the Knowledge and Beliefs about Developmental Dyslexia scale. In addition to studying the knowledge base about dyslexia, the effect of the variables grade and gender was analysed. The results showed that most of the participants had flawed information about dyslexia, and lack of information was common. On the other hand, gender and grade did not have any significant effects. These findings indicate a need for wider awareness and formal education about dyslexia for pre-service English as foreign language teachers to create more inclusive classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the early writing beliefs, ideas, and practices of 54 early childhood teachers. Teachers completed a survey designed to examine their early writing beliefs and provided definitions about early writing development through a written response. Teachers were also observed in their classrooms and writing practices were coded for instructional strategy employed by the teacher (i.e., modeling and scaffolding approaches) and the instructional focus of these interactions with attention to early writing skill. Teachers' definitions of writing often emphasized specific writing skills, with most teachers emphasizing handwriting. Teachers were observed enacting a range of modeling and scaffolding practices to support early writing, but the majority of interactions focused on handwriting supports. Teachers' definitions of writing and their responses to the teacher belief survey were unrelated to each other, but differentially related to writing skills emphasized in interactions with children. Teachers who identified more than one writing component in their definition were more likely to enact practices to support children's writing concept knowledge, while teachers who espoused more developmentally appropriate early writing beliefs on the survey were more likely to engage children in spelling focused interactions. Findings have implications for the study of teachers' beliefs about writing as well as the need for professional learning supports for preschool teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Aula Abierta. Revista de Investigación, Formación e Innovación en Educación (RIFIE) is the property of Universidad de Oviedo, Servicio de Publicaciones and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Teacher education at universities often lacks practice although preservice teachers should be equipped with effective teaching methods. We conducted an intervention to convey and practice autonomy-supportive teaching behavior (ASTB) with 63 preservice teachers. The first control group (n = 76) did not receive any information on ASTB. A second control group (n = 54) had their regular seminar on ASTB without practicing what they had learned. Significant differences in the participants’ (Mage = 24.18 ± 3.26 years; Msemester = 7.61 ± 1.84; 63% female) knowledge, beliefs, and intentions were found. Participants of the intervention had higher theoretical and practical knowledge regarding ASTB and a higher level of perception that ASTB is easy to implement than a seminar without information on ASTB (first control group) and the regular seminar (second control group). That is, their knowledge acquisition and their belief about the ease of implementation were positively affected by the intervention in comparison to both control groups. Although no significant differences were found, preservice teachers in the intervention group also showed the highest level of agreement with the belief about the effectiveness of ASTB and the most pronounced intention to implement ASTB. The results of our study show that the developed intervention based on self-determination theory had a positive impact on preservice teachers’ knowledge and beliefs about ASTB as well as their intention to apply it in the future. Since teacher education at university often lacks practice, the development of such effective theory- and practice-based interventions for preservice teachers is especially important. The practical skills acquired in our study are of particular importance for one central challenge teachers face in their profession: the need to counteract the decreasing trend of student motivation during secondary schooling.

The practice of inclusive education in schools has led to changes in policy and pedagogy, hence teacher acceptance and attitude are important components of its success. The aim of this study is to identify the differences in attitudes of primary and secondary pre-service teachers on inclusion and the potential relationship between demographic variables such as definitions of inclusion, previous experience working in a school, completion of a module on inclusive schools, and other variables. The study included 548 Australian university students studying primary (n = 348) or secondary (n = 193) professional teaching. All participants completed the Teacher Attitudes to Inclusion Scale (TAISA). Principle components analysis was performed to transform the TAISA questionnaire into smaller set of components and two-way between-groups analysis of variance was used to analyse data. Results showed that primary pre-service teachers have more positive attitudes towards inclusion than secondary pre-service teachers. Primary pre-service teachers were also more responsive to training on inclusive education. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

This study examined the early writing beliefs, ideas, and practices of 54 early childhood teachers. Teachers completed a survey designed to examine their early writing beliefs and provided definitions about early writing development through a written response. Teachers were also observed in their classrooms and writing practices were coded for instructional strategy employed by the teacher (i.e., modeling and scaffolding approaches) and the instructional focus of these interactions with attention to early writing skill. Teachers’ definitions of writing often emphasized specific writing skills, with most teachers emphasizing handwriting. Teachers were observed enacting a range of modeling and scaffolding practices to support early writing, but the majority of interactions focused on handwriting supports. Teachers’ definitions of writing and their responses to the teacher belief survey were unrelated to each other, but differentially related to writing skills emphasized in interactions with children. Teachers who identified more than one writing component in their definition were more likely to enact practices to support children’s writing concept knowledge, while teachers who espoused more developmentally appropriate early writing beliefs on the survey were more likely to engage children in spelling focused interactions. Findings have implications for the study of teachers’ beliefs about writing as well as the need for professional learning supports for preschool teachers.

This study explored preschool teachers’ beliefs about the challenges they have experienced when supporting young children’s outdoor play. Through Charmaz’s (2006) constructivist grounded theory data analysis process, two types of challenges for providing outdoor play were specified including: (1) natural environmental challenges, such as insect bites, allergies, and severe weather issues and (2) physical environmental challenges that include lack of play materials/environments and playground maintenance. The participant teachers perceive that these challenges are related to their preparation and planning for outdoor play including the provision of outdoor play, allotted play time, and a number of outdoor learning activities.

Writing teachers play an extraordinarily important role in their students’ writing development. Teachers’ motivational beliefs, such as attitudes toward writing, perceptions of their efficacy to teach writing, or preparation to use evidencebased instructional practices, impact their writing instruction, which directly affects the advancement of students’ writing skills. Deaf writers are a subpopulation of writers who may face discriminatory beliefs toward their writing development stemming from ableism, audism, or linguicism. Deaf education teachers may doubt their abilities to teach bilingual/multilingual students or teach deaf students experiencing language deprivation. The current study investigates whether deaf education teachers’ beliefs can be fostered through an intensive one-year professional development (PD) program designed specifically for deaf education teachers. In this randomized controlled trial, we examine the extent to which the participation of deaf education teachers in specialized PD and subsequent writing instruction implementation (n = 26) impacts their pedagogical content knowledge, use of evidence-based practices for teaching writing, interest, attitudes, efficacy in teaching writing, and epistemological beliefs about writing compared to teachers in a business as usual condition (n = 24). Pre-post regression analyses indicate statistically significant group differences (with the treatment group scoring higher) on all variables except attitude and some epistemological beliefs. We speculate that specialized, sustained PD paired with supported implementation of writing instruction and ongoing teacher reflection are contributing factors to changes in teachers’ motivational beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To help their children obtain higher scores in English and prepare them for a better future, many Vietnamese parents are likely to send them to a commercial English language center (CELC) for private lessons. Accordingly, the quality of CELC instructors' teaching receives remarkable attention. It is crucial to explore what factors affect their teaching instructions as well as their choice of instructional strategies. This qualitative study used Grounded Theory to gauge a deep understanding of factors affecting 21 CELC teachers' choices of teaching techniques which directly decide whether their teaching is good or bad. The data from 21 semi-structured interviews revealed that factors, including teaching conditions, teachers' sense of technique's effectiveness, teaching experience, time allotted, formal and informal professional training and development, and stakeholders' influence, significantly affected their choice of teaching techniques used in the classroom. Additionally, the Grounded Theory study indicated that teaching beliefs were more influential, even above other factors. These beliefs can be tentatively classified into (i) conviction of the effectiveness of the teaching technique, (ii) pressure from stakeholders to use a particular teaching technique, and (iii) contextual factors that may affect the selection of techniques. The article discusses the findings in light of the theory of planned behavior and Vietnamese educational and socio-cultural values. It has implications for teacher training and teacher professional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study arose from a desire to investigate initial teacher education for primary school mathematics teachers in Hong Kong. A conceptual framework for analyzing pre-service teachers' mathematical knowledge and beliefs informed this qualitative investigation. The purpose of the study was to scrutinize both the cognitive and affective domains in mathematics teaching of pre-service primary teachers within the analytical framework. This paper seeks to capture three cases of Hong Kong pre-service primary teachers holding different views about mathematics teaching and learning as revealed by a beliefs survey. Their mathematical knowledge was examined along with a questionnaire, individual interviews, and an analysis of the lesson plans they provided. Through triangulation, it was found that these pre-service teachers' beliefs about mathematics teaching and learning correspond to their pedagogical content knowledge to some extent. The results of lesson plan analysis were mostly consistent with those in the questionnaire and interviews although some of the interview data were inconsistent with the questionnaire results. Such inconsistency seemed to suggest that pre-service teachers' reform-oriented mathematical beliefs were impacted by some traditional values such as Confucianism. Implications are discussed regarding the relationship between knowledge and beliefs in mathematics education as well as the theory of teacher competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic assessment is a dialectic procedure requiring teachers to assess learners’ progress by paying attention to students’ errors while providing graduated prompts to help them fix them. Although previous studies have focused on the teachers’ competence in carrying out the dynamic assessment, this case study explores the dynamic assessment conceptualization of two English language teachers. Data were gathered through video-recorded sessions, reflective reports, semi-structured interviews, and classroom observations. Results showed that while one of the teachers reconceptualized her role as a graduated prompt provider, the other teacher resisted adopting any roles that dynamic assessment requires. The study implies careful consideration of personal and contextual factors shaping teachers’ assumptions to make a change in teacher practice.

Abstract This descriptive study attempted to explore teaching styles by eliciting beliefs of a group of English language teachers through Peacock’s (Int J Appl Linguist 11:1–20, 2001) Perceptual Teaching Style Preference Questionnaire and interviews based on Reid’s hypotheses (TESOL Q 21:87–111, 1987; Learning styles in the ESL/EFL classroom. Boston: Heinle & Heinle, 1995) on learning styles and Doyle and Rutherford’s (Theory Pract 23:20–25, 1984) suggestions on matched instructional designs. The mixed methods research design was adopted in the current study, and concurrent triangulation was used to corroborate the findings. Study findings indicated that the participants reportedly applied the group teaching style more frequently than the other styles and favored a repertoire of the visual and auditory perceptual teaching styles. Although participants were mostly positive about the importance of learning styles, effects of perceptual teaching styles on learning, and the matched instructional design, they did not believe that their students were aware of their own learning styles and noted various curricular and administrative constraints in relation to implementation of the matched instruction. Consequently, the current study suggested that the language teachers and their line managers should consider effective planning and implementation of the entire teaching operation in relation to the matched instructional design in their classrooms. Also, it is recommended that as part of their professional development, the classroom practitioners are encouraged to explore their students’ “voices” and raise their learners’ awareness regarding their learning styles for more effective teaching–learning processes.

This article provides a critical qualitative review of 26 English-language journal articles from multiple countries that focus on research and practice among pre-service teachers, and their beliefs about, and experiences of, teaching migrant learners. The findings are organised around two themes. First, the review reveals that student teachers are more likely than not to hold negative beliefs and harbour anxieties about teaching migrant learners. While the cultural diversity of the country in which the student teachers are working does not seem to be a strong determinant of such beliefs, research suggests that such beliefs are more often linked to a lack of knowledge and training. Second, the review identifies a strong emphasis on belief in the value of empathy in learning to teach migrant learners, with the caveat that having a migrant background does not necessarily lead to a more empathetic student teacher. The wider discussion problematises empathy as a goal of training and highlights the challenges inherent in encouraging the development of critical self-reflection among pre-service teachers. The review ultimately questions the extent to which pre-service teacher education equips pre-service teachers to work effectively with migrant learners and proposes increased collaborations between researchers and pre-service teachers as a step towards expanding critical research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, self-study methodology is utilized to investigate the impact of collaborative planning on the authors' development as mathematics teacher educators (MTEs). The authors, two early-career MTEs, met regularly to plan instruction and journaled frequently about the experience. Upon completion of the course, meeting transcripts and journals were analyzed to determine beliefs that surfaced during the planning. The experience of developing a midterm exam is shared to demonstrate how beliefs about the development of positive relationships and environments, characteristics of effective mathematics teaching, and preservice teachers' development of mathematical knowledge for teaching guided the collaborative planning process. Both authors showed development as MTEs, and features of their relationship that made collaborative planning successful are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study commenced as part of a more extensive narrative inquiry about a literacy coach building relationships with two early-career sixth-grade English language arts teachers. The more extensive study revealed a gap in research about the teachers' beliefs and practices and their impact on their students' academic and emotional success. The research questions are: (1) in what ways do two teachers' beliefs and professional knowledge influence their teaching philosophies? (2) How do these teachers' identities influence student outcomes? The two teacher participants took part in interviews, observations, and reflections. By re-storying the data into narratives, three themes from each question emerged. The data shows that teachers firmly believe in their roles in student learning, pedagogical styles, content planning, and curriculum. Additionally, teacher identities influence student outcomes with their engagement, relationships, and comfort in the classroom environment. The results of this study add to the growing body of research on the impact of student success concerning how teachers' beliefs and practices play a role in academics and the social and emotional well-being of overall student achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This inquiry examined the pedagogical practices in mathematics of elementary teachers (N = 27) who had been identified as experienced and successful and were working in an urban school district with underserved student populations. Also investigated were relationships between their instructional practices and other elements of proficient teaching of mathematics, including specialized content knowledge and beliefs. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected via a knowledge assessment, belief surveys, classroom observations, and individual interviews. The findings related to learner‐centered, equitable mathematics instruction reveal a mixed picture of understanding and enactment by the participants, illuminating variability and complexity, especially within the context of a standardized model for instructional delivery. Participants expressed constraints in implementing learner‐centered, equitable mathematics instruction, particularly: prescribed, scripted lesson plans; teaching roles that involved instruction of many students thus contributing to lack of familiarity; and a mix of learners who were in‐class and remote due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. The results also demonstrate that pedagogical practices were shaped by participants' specialized content knowledge and to a more limited extent their beliefs. These data further reveal mixed endorsements of the different belief constructs. Considerations for teacher development are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]