How do pre-service teachers’ reflective processes differ in relation to different contexts?

Abstract

Reflective practice represents a central theme in teacher education. The focus of this study is to look at pre-service teachers’ reflection processes and their breadth and depth in four different contexts. Our research data consist of 53 pre-service teachers’ mathematics portfolios, from which three were selected for closer scrutiny. The chosen portfolios represent different reflection profiles. According to our findings, the breadth and the depth of the pre-service teachers’ reflection processes varied greatly, and their former experiences as learners of mathematics seemed to have a great impact on their reflection when teaching mathematics for the first time. However, through acquaintance with research articles, the pre-service teachers’ reflection deepened and, at the same time, seemed to broaden. The participants’ consideration of biographical contexts aided their understanding and their reflection of other contexts.