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Student Teachers’ Experiences in Special Schools in China

  • Author / Creator
    He, Kun
  • This study investigated Chinese student teachers’ experiences as physical education teachers in special schools for individuals with intellectual impairments. The research approach was interpretative phenomenological analysis (Smith & Osborn, 2008). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven student teachers who completed an internship in a special school in China during the past three years, their weekly journals, and the researcher’s reflective notes. Situated learning theory (Lave & Wenger, 1991; Wenger, 1998) provided the conceptual framework. Three themes emerged from the analysis: I can teach PE in special schools, different but meaningful, and it could be better. Participants initially encountered multitudinous difficulties but eventually felt capable as teachers in special schools. They learned from the teaching practice and interactions with others in the situated context. They perceived physical education in special schools to be different in many aspects but still valued their internship as a meaningful experience.

  • Subjects / Keywords
  • Graduation date
    Fall 2013
  • Type of Item
    Thesis
  • Degree
    Master of Arts
  • DOI
    https://doi.org/10.7939/R3K931F6H
  • License
    This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.