Teacher Education Students' Reflections on How Problem-Based Learning Has Changed Their Mental Models About Teaching and Learning

Authors:

Published:

Spring 2007

Source:The Teacher Educator, v. 42 no. 4 (Spring 2007) p. 237-63

Students develop robust mental models of teaching and learning during their school years, and as such, often teach as they were taught-possibly perpetuating practices that limit intellectual inquiry in classrooms.
This paper reports on an analysis, using a conceptual framework and NUD*IST software, of a cohort of 3rd-year teacher education students' reflections on changes in their mental models following their experiences in a problem-based learning (PBL) topic.

Results provide evidence that students do report changing mental models in areas such as (a) the value of case studies for engaging with subject content, motivating learning, and connecting theory with practice; (b) self-reflection and peer collaboration for cognitive and professional growth; and (c) processes of inquiry for developing self-regulated learning practices.