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Associate Teachers in Fiji: Challenges Faced by Student Teachers during Practicum

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Title: Associate Teachers in Fiji: Challenges Faced by Student Teachers during Practicum
Language: English
Authors: Kusum Prakash, Ashvin Praneet Chand, Poonam Singh (ORCID 0009-0001-3296-8003)
Source: New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies. 2024 59(2):551-563.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Student Teachers, Urban Schools, Practicums, Student Teacher Attitudes, Student Teaching, Practicum Supervision, Teaching Skills, Skill Development, Supervisor Supervisee Relationship
Geographic Terms: Fiji
DOI: 10.1007/s40841-024-00327-5
ISSN: 0028-8276
2199-4714
Abstract: The teaching practice (practicum) experience is a pivotal component of teacher education programs globally, providing student teachers with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real classroom settings. In Fiji, one of the many countries in the South Pacific, student teachers engage in practicum experiences, in schools, under the mentorship of associate teachers (ATs). This research paper explores the challenges encountered by student teachers during their practicum placements with a focus on the role of ATs in Suva, Fiji. The study involved 25 of the 40 final-year student teachers placed in urban schools for a duration of 14 weeks of practicum. The student teachers took the role of ethnographic field workers to produce data. The study investigates the experiences of student teachers and the dynamics of their interactions with ATs. Findings reveal a range of challenges faced by the students, including issues related to professional nurturing, and consistent, precise, and prompt feedback on their teaching skills. It further discloses the relationship between ATs and student teachers as not so dependable, and the communication barriers that hindered learning. The study also identifies factors contributing to effective practicum experiences and proposes recommendations for enhancing the support provided by ATs to students. Understanding the challenges encountered by the students during teaching practice is essential for improving teacher education programs and ensuring the professional development of future educators in Fiji.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1453082
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Associate Teachers in Fiji: Challenges Faced by Student Teachers during Practicum
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kusum+Prakash%22">Kusum Prakash</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ashvin+Praneet+Chand%22">Ashvin Praneet Chand</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Poonam+Singh%22">Poonam Singh</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0009-0001-3296-8003">0009-0001-3296-8003</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22New+Zealand+Journal+of+Educational+Studies%22"><i>New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies</i></searchLink>. 2024 59(2):551-563.
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  Data: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
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  Data: 13
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Teachers%22">Student Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Urban+Schools%22">Urban Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Practicums%22">Practicums</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Teacher+Attitudes%22">Student Teacher Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Teaching%22">Student Teaching</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Practicum+Supervision%22">Practicum Supervision</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Skills%22">Teaching Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Skill+Development%22">Skill Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Supervisor+Supervisee+Relationship%22">Supervisor Supervisee Relationship</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fiji%22">Fiji</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1007/s40841-024-00327-5
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  Data: 0028-8276<br />2199-4714
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: The teaching practice (practicum) experience is a pivotal component of teacher education programs globally, providing student teachers with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real classroom settings. In Fiji, one of the many countries in the South Pacific, student teachers engage in practicum experiences, in schools, under the mentorship of associate teachers (ATs). This research paper explores the challenges encountered by student teachers during their practicum placements with a focus on the role of ATs in Suva, Fiji. The study involved 25 of the 40 final-year student teachers placed in urban schools for a duration of 14 weeks of practicum. The student teachers took the role of ethnographic field workers to produce data. The study investigates the experiences of student teachers and the dynamics of their interactions with ATs. Findings reveal a range of challenges faced by the students, including issues related to professional nurturing, and consistent, precise, and prompt feedback on their teaching skills. It further discloses the relationship between ATs and student teachers as not so dependable, and the communication barriers that hindered learning. The study also identifies factors contributing to effective practicum experiences and proposes recommendations for enhancing the support provided by ATs to students. Understanding the challenges encountered by the students during teaching practice is essential for improving teacher education programs and ensuring the professional development of future educators in Fiji.
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      – SubjectFull: Student Teachers
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      – SubjectFull: Urban Schools
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      – SubjectFull: Practicums
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      – SubjectFull: Student Teacher Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Student Teaching
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      – SubjectFull: Practicum Supervision
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      – SubjectFull: Skill Development
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      – SubjectFull: Supervisor Supervisee Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Fiji
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