Where is the Writing Teacher? Preservice Teachers’ Perspectives on the Teaching of Writing

Authors

  • Angela M. Kohnen University of Florida Author
  • Kathryn Caprino Elizabethtown College Author
  • Sally Crane University of Florida Author
  • Jane S. Townsend University of Florida Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/wap.37278

Keywords:

WRITING, WRITING INSTRUCTION, TEACHER EDUCATION, STANDARDIZED TESTS

Abstract

This article identifies how a cohort of preservice teachers educated during the No Child Left Behind Era thought about the teaching of writing when they entered a secondary English Language Arts (ELA) teacher preparation program. Most participants shared the beliefs that: (1) writing was primarily the demonstration of specific skills, often on a standardized test; (2) alternatives to the five-paragraph essay would be extra, with formulaic writing central to instruction; (3) teachers had little role in student writing development beyond assigning writing; (4) feedback on writing should be ‘objective’ and tied to a grade; and (5) the purpose of ELA is primarily to teach literature. Authors believe identifying preservice teachers’ beliefs about writing and the role of the writing teacher at the beginning of a program can help teacher educators design experiences to expand students’ notions of literacy and of writing instruction.

Author Biographies

  • Angela M. Kohnen, University of Florida

    Angela M. Kohnen is an assistant professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida.

  • Kathryn Caprino, Elizabethtown College

    Kathryn Caprino is an assistant professor in the Department of Education at Elizabethtown College (Pennsylvania).

  • Sally Crane, University of Florida

    Sally Crane is a doctoral candidate in the School of Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida.

  • Jane S. Townsend, University of Florida

    Jane S. Townsend is professor emerita in the School of Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida.

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Published

2019-11-27

Issue

Section

Research Matters

How to Cite

Kohnen, A. M., Caprino, K., Crane, S., & Townsend, J. S. . (2019). Where is the Writing Teacher? Preservice Teachers’ Perspectives on the Teaching of Writing. Writing and Pedagogy, 11(2), 285-310. https://doi.org/10.1558/wap.37278

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