Theory and Practice: Sealing the Gap

 

Dolk, M., & Den Hertog, J. (2008). Narratives in teacher education. Interactive Learning Environments, 16 (3), 215 229.DOI:10.1080/10494820802113970

            In this article Dolk and den Hertog (2008) present a six-step approach carried out in The Netherlands. The purpose of this approach is to help primary student teachers of math, in the development of a bridge between theory and practice, through the use of narratives in a multimedia interactive learning environment known as MILE. These narratives result from observing episodes, sharing ideas and discussing viewpoints. The next steps require analysing, reflecting and developing a narrative of the episode based on a critical understanting of it. According to the authors, the ultimate goal of the whole process is the personal construction of a didactic for teacher education. It is important to consider that the authors see this process as being cyclical and not linear. Although the research has been field-specific, the it  can provide any student teacher or college teacher with an interesting insight to see narratives as potential tools for encouraging self-reflection and the construction of meaningful interpretations of teaching scenarios.