Preservice teaching practice in narrative environment

Abstract

Traditional teaching practice in Finland emphasizes learning of 'correct' teaching methods and linear didactic model. This paper presents an alternative model to traditional teaching practice, in which learning takes place in joint play-worlds of teacher education students and children. The main tasks of teacher education students are to elaborate narrative plot, organize concrete play-world environments, create the characters and embed children's learning assignments in the storyline. The implemented model of narrative practice revealed the merits of narrative learning environment in elementary grades to teacher education students.