This study examines the "Teaching Practicum Semester," a policy introduced to overcome various limitations of the existing four-week teacher practicum and enhance pre-service teachers' practical competencies (Ministry of Education, 2021). Although pil...
This study examines the "Teaching Practicum Semester," a policy introduced to overcome various limitations of the existing four-week teacher practicum and enhance pre-service teachers' practical competencies (Ministry of Education, 2021). Although pilot implementation began in 2022, and nationwide implementation was planned for 2028, low participation from colleges of education and pre-service teachers has created uncertainty around its future (Choi & Joo, 2024). Existing research on the Teaching Practicum Semester primarily emphasizes superficial experiences or operational effectiveness, indicating a lack of studies focusing on qualitative changes occurring in pre-service teachers due to the extended practicum period (Kim & Kwon, 2023; Kim & Kim, 2023). Therefore, discussions about the substantial implications of extended practicum periods on teacher training remain insufficient.
This study aimed to explore the qualitative changes facilitated by experiences in the Teaching Practicum Semester, identifying its distinguishing features from traditional teacher practicums. Using Korthagen's (2004) "Onion Model," this study analyzed the professional identity formation process of pre-service teachers participating in the Teaching Practicum Semester. Initially, the experiences gained by pre-service teachers were analyzed, followed by a detailed examination of factors triggering changes in professional identity. Each layer of the Onion Model was utilized to comprehensively analyze the process of professional identity formation, ultimately exploring the significance of these experiences for pre-service teachers. The research questions established for this study were as follows:
[Research Question 1] What experiences did pre-service teachers have during their Teaching Practicum Semester?[Research Question 2] What factors triggered changes in the professional identity formation of pre-service teachers through the Teaching Practicum Semester?[Research Question 3] What meaning do pre-service teachers attribute to their experiences in the Teaching Practicum Semester regarding their professional identity formation?
This research was conducted as a qualitative case study, analyzing experiences from the Teaching Practicum Semester held at S University's affiliated middle schools during the second semester of 2023. Participants included four pre-service teachers, one mentor teacher, one supervising professor, and one coordinator. Participants were intentionally selected through typical case sampling (Creswell & Poth, 2016; Merriam, 1998; Patton, 1990; Yin, 2018). Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analysis of practicum journals, utilizing Korthagen’s Onion Model as the analytical framework (Merriam, 1998).
Findings indicated that participants experienced diverse educational activities and student guidance by residing at schools for one semester. Pre-service teachers conducted more than 50 teaching sessions, building relationships with students through various methods. Mentor teachers significantly influenced pre-service teachers’ perspectives and educational values, and interactions with fellow pre-service teachers had both positive and negative impacts. Analyzing these experiences through the Onion Model revealed changes at both external and internal layers. Specifically, the practicum environment led to changes and improvements in pre-service teachers' "behaviors" and "competencies." External changes subsequently influenced internal layers, notably altering the "beliefs" of most pre-service teachers. Changes in beliefs facilitated identity formation, with some pre-service teachers discovering their sense of "mission" as educators.
Changes resulting from experiences in the Teaching Practicum Semester were primarily driven by continuous self-reflection, fostering overall professional growth as teachers. Prior to participation, pre-service teachers faced uncertainty regarding their career paths; however, practicum experiences allowed them to confirm their suitability for teaching and decisively select their future careers. Additionally, pre-service teachers recognized the importance of teaching practicum experiences and the value of school communities. Ultimately, pre-service teachers developed their identities as teachers, significantly shaping their professional identities.
Based on the findings, this study proposes policy and institutional recommendations. Sufficient practicum duration and enhanced administrative and financial support should be guaranteed to ensure ample experiences for pre-service teachers. Strong collaboration systems among teacher training institutions, practicum schools, and mentor teachers should be established, clearly defining and supporting the roles of mentor teachers. Given the uncertainty surrounding the nationwide implementation of the Teaching Practicum Semester, insights derived from its strengths should be applied to existing teacher practicums to address current shortcomings.