{"title":"International service learning: benefits, challenges and experiences of pre-service teachers","authors":"D. Chambers, Shane D. Lavery","doi":"10.1080/1359866X.2022.2050355","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT This study explores the experiences and perceptions of 13 Australian early childhood, primary and secondary pre-service teachers who undertook a two-week international service-learning immersion in an educational setting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Qualitative data were collected pre-immersion through an anonymous questionnaire, and post-immersion through reflective journals/reports and focus group interviews. Results suggest that benefits included academic development and cross-cultural learning. Challenges involved language difficulties and coming to terms with the poverty and history of Cambodia. The participants indicated that the immersion was extremely relevant to them, both professionally and personally. Finally, cultural experiences encouraged the participants to generate cultural knowledge and understanding which may enhance their future teaching. Overall, the study suggests that the inclusion of an international service-learning immersion aids in the preparation and training of pre-service teachers for a culturally diverse global society.","PeriodicalId":47276,"journal":{"name":"Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2022-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education","FirstCategoryId":"95","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1359866X.2022.2050355","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
ABSTRACT This study explores the experiences and perceptions of 13 Australian early childhood, primary and secondary pre-service teachers who undertook a two-week international service-learning immersion in an educational setting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Qualitative data were collected pre-immersion through an anonymous questionnaire, and post-immersion through reflective journals/reports and focus group interviews. Results suggest that benefits included academic development and cross-cultural learning. Challenges involved language difficulties and coming to terms with the poverty and history of Cambodia. The participants indicated that the immersion was extremely relevant to them, both professionally and personally. Finally, cultural experiences encouraged the participants to generate cultural knowledge and understanding which may enhance their future teaching. Overall, the study suggests that the inclusion of an international service-learning immersion aids in the preparation and training of pre-service teachers for a culturally diverse global society.
期刊介绍:
This journal promotes rigorous research that makes a significant contribution to advancing knowledge in teacher education across early childhood, primary, secondary, vocational education and training, and higher education. The journal editors invite for peer review theoretically informed papers - including, but not limited to, empirically grounded research - which focus on significant issues relevant to an international audience in regards to: Teacher education (including initial teacher education and ongoing professional education) of teachers internationally; The cultural, economic, political, social and/or technological dimensions and contexts of teacher education; Change, stability, reform and resistance in (and relating to) teacher education; Improving the quality and impact of research in teacher education.