Enabling group-based learning in teacher education: A case study of student experience

Abstract

"Teacher education ill prepares pre-service teachers for the classroom." Research conducted in a teacher education program at Edith Cowan University (ECU) responded to this criticism. This longitudinal case study selected group work (i.e., group-based learning) to investigate the quality of its teacher education program. Phase one explored teacher educators' perceptions of group-based learning. Phase two explored preservice teachers' perceptions and experience of group-based learning. This phase used student 'voice' (i.e., through focus groups, confirmed field notes, summary sheets) to convey their ideas and experiences when studying in a group and/or implementing group-based learning in the classroom. This paper discusses phase two findings which show the importance of consistency and coherence in understanding group-basedlearning principles and practices, and the broad 'conditions' and 'actions' that enable meaningful learning. The research has enabled ECU teacher educators to enhance the quality of the teacher education program.