Ball State University Project Report 2007
Early Teaching Experiences
Successes
- Beginning in the fall of 2003 due to the PhysTEC collaborations, students pursuing field experiences in physics were typically supervised by Michael Wolter, former PhysTEC TIR (2003-2004) and Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
- PhysTEC collaborations have yielded many contacts who also serve as Early Field Experience supervisors of Ball State’s preservice physics teachers.
- The TIR has been very effective in helping the students obtain their placement and benefiting from it as much as possible.
Challenges
- With turnover in the physics department, the Office of Teacher Education Services (OTES), and the local schools, we must continue our sustained involvement to maintain effective placements for our preservice teachers.
Sustainability/Institutional Buy-In
- Faculty are seeking teaching load credit for the many responsibilities they have assumed in the new licensure program. Departmental buy-in and sustainability will occur once content faculty receive this credit for monitoring student progress in a manner similar to that currently provided for Teachers College faculty.
Lessons Learned
- To reform teacher preparation programs, the physical science faculties must be given additional credit and/or compensation. However, producing a better teacher that will remain in the profession may be the only reward for a job well done.
Activity Summary
- To prepare its students for student teaching, the Teachers College provides early teaching experiences. Students observe, prepare instructional presentations, and undertake other related instructional tasks. These field experiences are scheduled by the Teachers College and conducted in the on-campus Burris Laboratory School as well as in affiliated public school systems in Muncie and others within commuting distance of the university.
- Content area departments (including the Department of Physics and Astronomy) have not had direct involvement in placing students or supervising these experiences.
- Michael Wolter, 2003-2004 TIR, is a Professional Development School faculty member at a nearby school, and through the PhysTEC/TIR experience he has assisted and monitored the placement of many of the department’s preservice physics teachers.
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