Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions of Developing Entrepreneurial Thinking in an International Learning Environment during COVID-19

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions of Developing Entrepreneurial Thinking in an International Learning Environment during COVID-19
Language: English
Authors: Einat Gil (ORCID 0000-0002-8453-7950), Anat Even-Zahav (ORCID 0000-0001-5389-0316), Justyna Siemionow (ORCID 0000-0003-3831-3515)
Source: Educational Process: International Journal. Article e2025274 2025 16.
Availability: UNIVERSITEPARK Limited. iTOWER Plaza (No61, 9th floor) Merkez Mh Akar Cd No3, Sisli, Istanbul, Turkey 34382. e-mail: editor@edupij.com; Web site: http://www.edupij.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Preservice Teachers, Entrepreneurship, Thinking Skills, Student Attitudes, Global Approach, Educational Environment, Skill Development, COVID-19, Pandemics, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Israel
ISSN: 2147-0901
2564-8020
Abstract: Background/purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges and opportunities for students' learning worldwide and changed the environments in which students learn. An international learning environment was designed to "bridge the distance", address pre-service teachers' socio-emotional needs and develop their entrepreneurial thinking (ET), a learned process of practicing behaviors and acquiring competencies that equip individuals with entrepreneurial skills, which may serve to improve oneself and society in times of uncertainty. In a design-based study, we aimed (1) to identify pre-service teachers' perceptions of ET emerging within an international learning environment and (2) to characterize a learning environment that supports the development of their ET. Materials/methods: Twenty-four pre-service teachers from two countries participated in six online sessions. The learning design included "looking inward" at the challenges students faced through an artistic task and an "outward-looking" entrepreneurship task that involved finding opportunities to address the challenges and proposing educational initiatives. Data was collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, reflections, and students' outcomes tasks. Findings: Pre-service teachers' perceptions of their ET development were expressed in three different contexts: in relation to time, future-oriented, in relation to life, individual, society, and the world, and in relation to cognitive competencies, breaking boundaries, and developing creativity. Furthermore, we identified four learning environment characteristics that played a role in the development of ET: learning by doing through collaboration, authentic challenge related to COVID-19, international aspect, and socio-emotional aspects. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of integrating entrepreneurial activities and socio-emotional support within innovative learning designs for pre-service teachers.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1483278
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Background/purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges and opportunities for students' learning worldwide and changed the environments in which students learn. An international learning environment was designed to "bridge the distance", address pre-service teachers' socio-emotional needs and develop their entrepreneurial thinking (ET), a learned process of practicing behaviors and acquiring competencies that equip individuals with entrepreneurial skills, which may serve to improve oneself and society in times of uncertainty. In a design-based study, we aimed (1) to identify pre-service teachers' perceptions of ET emerging within an international learning environment and (2) to characterize a learning environment that supports the development of their ET. Materials/methods: Twenty-four pre-service teachers from two countries participated in six online sessions. The learning design included "looking inward" at the challenges students faced through an artistic task and an "outward-looking" entrepreneurship task that involved finding opportunities to address the challenges and proposing educational initiatives. Data was collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, reflections, and students' outcomes tasks. Findings: Pre-service teachers' perceptions of their ET development were expressed in three different contexts: in relation to time, future-oriented, in relation to life, individual, society, and the world, and in relation to cognitive competencies, breaking boundaries, and developing creativity. Furthermore, we identified four learning environment characteristics that played a role in the development of ET: learning by doing through collaboration, authentic challenge related to COVID-19, international aspect, and socio-emotional aspects. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of integrating entrepreneurial activities and socio-emotional support within innovative learning designs for pre-service teachers.
ISSN:2147-0901
2564-8020