Learning to Plan by Learning to Reflect?—Exploring Relations between Professional Knowledge, Reflection Skills, and Planning Skills of Preservice Physics Teachers in a One-Semester Field Experience

Education Sciences, vol. 12, pp. 479

Abstract

Following concepts describing lesson planning as a form of anticipatory reflection, preservice physics teachers’ reflection skills are assumed to be positively connected with their planning skills. However, empirical evidence on this is scarce. To explore how relations between these specific skills change over the course of a field experience controlling for influences of professional knowledge, we conduct a pre-post field study with N = 95 preservice physics teachers in a one-semester field experience. Content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) (paper-and-pencil tests), and reflection and planning skills (standardized performance assessments) were assessed before and after the field experience. Path analyses revealed almost no influence of reflection skills on planning skills. Reflections skills did not contribute to preservice teachers planning skills beyond knowledge, indicating both constructs might represent rather independent abilities. The results show the need for further development of models describing the development of teachers’ professional knowledge and skills in academic teacher education and for the development of concepts for a better integration of reflection and lesson planning in field experiences.

Authors 3

1. Christoph Vogelsang corresponding

   Paderborn University

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Educational Research and Teacher Education—PLAZ-Professional School, Paderborn University, 33098 Paderborn, Germany

2. Christoph Kulgemeyer

   University of Bremen

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Science Education, Physics Education Department, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany

3. Josef Riese Aachen Institute of Physics IA Physics Education Department

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Physics IA, Physics Education Department, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany