Prospective PETE Students, PETE Student Teachers, and Clinical Model Teachers in a University Teacher Education Program

The purpose of this study was to compare conceptions of teaching of different groups of individuals associated with a university physical education teacher education (PETE) program. These individuals were 6 prospective PETE students, 4 PETE student teachers, and 4 cooperating teachers in the physical education department’s Clinical Model Program. The intent was to assess subjects’ conceptions, values, and beliefs about teaching relative to the seven categories of the knowledge base identified by Shulman (1987). Data were collected through use of a structured interview with frequent probes. Results revealed that teaching conceptions of prospective PETE students differed considerably from those of the other two groups. In addition, conceptions of student teachers and clinical model teachers more closely resembled those aspects emphasized in the teacher education program. Results of this exploratory study suggest questions for future research.