The Instructional Planning Experiences Of Beginning Teachers

The purpose of this collective case study was to understand the nature of planning and the influences on planning among intern and novice teachers in Illinois. Sixteen intern teachers and 15 novice teachers participated in reflections, focus group interviews, and individual interviews. In regard to the nature of planning, both intern and novice teachers planned as a mental process, conceptualized and prioritized content, and utilized a daily or hourly planning approach. Interns differed from novices in the use of adaptation of lesson planning approaches. In regard to influences on planning, both interns and novices noted knowledge and experience, schedules, school administrators, facilities, technology, and resources, students, personality, and impracticality of planning methods. Further, intern teachers and novice teachers had unique influences on planning based upon their differing contexts, expectations, and teaching experiences.