Enhancing Collaborative Professionalism in the Dyad of Pre-Service Teacher and Co-operating Teacher in the Mathematics Classroom

Nunan, Patricia

Publication

Enhancing Collaborative Professionalism in the Dyad of Pre-Service Teacher and Co-operating Teacher in the Mathematics Classroom

Nunan, Patricia

Abstract

During the practicum element of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Ireland, pre-service teachers work alongside one or more co-operating teachers. According to the Teaching Council of Ireland, the role of the cooperating teacher (CT) encompasses many different elements supporting the pre-service teacher (PST) to plan for teaching and learning appropriate to the pupils’ needs. In practice, the role of the cooperating teacher remains ambiguous with little practical support to guide the teacher enact the true potential of the relationship. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to explore the potential of a collaborative inquiry approach to the development of pedagogical content knowledge, specifically in the post-primary Mathematics classroom.