Training Teachers Using Action Research for Innovation in Early Childhood Education Literacy

Aysha Saeed AlShamsi, Aysha Khamis AlShamsi, Alia Nhairl AlKetbi

Abstract


Action research is a crucial authentic training tool in teacher education programmes. The visual arts in early childhood education (ECE) are important to release children’s creativity and help their engagement skills. This case study examines the experiences of two preservice teachers in the UAE who completed action research projects during their final year of teacher training. Their participants consisted of four groups of children aged between four to six years. The preservice teachers were required to conduct interviews, do classroom observations, and do journalling, while their progress was monitored by a supervising instructor. The NVivo 12 software was used in the analysis of final reflections and interview responses. Three main themes and several important observations emerged from the experiment. The findings suggest that preservice teachers value action research as an authentic practical field research experience. Action research can positively impact literacy teaching using visual arts and 21st-century skills in early childhood despite challenges such as limited space and resources. These should be addressed to enhance implementation.

https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.11.4


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