A1 Journal article (refereed)
‘A learner is like a snowflake, each unique’ : Uncovering pre‐service language teachers' perceptions of differentiation relying on visualisations, metaphors and group discussions (2024)

Roiha, A., & Heinonen, P. (2024). ‘A learner is like a snowflake, each unique’ : Uncovering pre‐service language teachers' perceptions of differentiation relying on visualisations, metaphors and group discussions. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 24(2), 349-361. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-3802.12636

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Roiha, Anssi; Heinonen, Pilvi

Journal or series: Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs

ISSN: 1471-3802

eISSN: 1471-3802

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 27/11/2023

Volume: 24

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 349-361

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-3802.12636

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/92518

Abstract

This article examines pre-service language teachers' perceptions of learning and teaching and how differentiation manifests itself in them. The 67 participants visualised ‘an ideal language learning situation’ and complemented a number of teaching-related metaphors, for instance, ‘A teacher is like…’ and ‘A learner is like…’ in the first session of their pedagogical studies. Seven participants returned to reflect on these outputs in group discussions held at the end of their studies. The data were analysed qualitatively following thematic analysis. We identified some themes of differentiation already in the initial outputs, that is, visualisations and metaphors, such as teaching methods and learning environment. In particular, the metaphors contained references to the individuality and uniqueness of the pupils. In the group discussions, the participants further highlighted the importance of differentiation for instance through the themes of differentiation for high-achieving pupils and the contradiction between ideal and practice. Based on the group discussions, the participants' understanding of differentiation expanded at least to some extent during their studies. Overall, the results suggest that the ideal of differentiation is present at some level when students enter their studies and that they are able to embrace it even more during their studies. Despite this, some participants still reflected rather limited views of differentiation, for instance, the focus on ability levels and textbook-based learning. This implies that differentiation should be addressed more profoundly in pre-service teacher education.

Keywords: metaphors; differentiation (teaching methods); group work; language teachers; visualisation

Free keywords: differentiation; group discussions; metaphors; pre-service language teachers; visualisations

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1