Field experience typically constitutes the centerpiece of any teacher edu-

cation program. Early field experiences enable students to get their feet wet

and to explore teaching as a profession. Later field experiences increase the

students responsibility for conducting classes and, more generally, help the

students assume the full role of a teacher. Whether your field experience

consists of tutoring a student in biology, working with a reading group,

assisting an experienced English teacher with a whole class, or taking sole

responsibility for teaching a social studies class, this book will help you to

learn from the experience.

Since field experiences occur at various levels in teacher education pro-

grams, you could use this book as a guide from the beginning to the end

of your program and into your first years of teaching. Generally speaking,

the earlier you begin to use this book, the greater the benefit will be.

Three questions provide the focus of this book:

~ How can you select an appropriate field experience in teaching?

~ How can you prepare yourself for your field experience?

~ How do yo~ goals and perspectives on teaching change as a con-

sequence of reflecting on your field experience?

FieM Experience: Methods of Reflective Teaching is based on the

premise that we benefit from our experiences by preparing for and reflect-

ing on them. Preparation opens our eyes to the social and personal back-

grounds of the people with whom we work. Reflection enables us to consider