A multi-case examination of preservice teachers' perceptions of reading and the teaching of reading

The purpose of this multi-case investigation was to identify the perceptions of preservice teachers about reading and reading instruction as they began reading methods courses and to determine any changes in these perceptions that occurred during the undergraduate teacher education program. The goal of this research was to accumulate classroom and field-based data that would help to build a better understanding of why preservice teachers believe the way they do, what types of experiences are needed in the undergraduate reading programs to impact change, and how and when changes manifest themselves. The research concentrated on preservice teachers participating in two required reading methods courses and their student teaching placements. The influence of their background in learning to read, the methods courses, the cooperating teachers, and the professor on the perceptions of preservice teachers were investigated. Three groups of individuals provided information for this study:14 student participants, 17 teacher participants, and 3 key informants. The data collection process was divided into two phases based on the college curriculum schedule. The participant pool was narrowed at the end of the first phase, with 3 key informants chosen to allow for a more in-depth examination of the accumulating data. Several data sources contributed to this study. These included artifacts, such as reflective forms and lesson plans, the score resultsfrom DeFord's Theoretical Orientation to Reading Profile, field notes from observations, and transcripts of interviews. Findings from the data provided evidence that perspectives do guide the practices of preservice teachers and that these perspectives are open to change. The perspectives of the preservice teachers were affected by the Developmental Reading course and the cooperating teachers. As the preservice teachers were encouraged to reflect about previously held beliefs and the new information they were acquiring from courses and field experiences, they formed their own perspectives. Implications for the educational community were inferred and recommendations made for future research.Department of Elementary EducationThesis (D. Ed.