Teacher Education Students’ Visions Shaping Future Generations

Abstract

[EN] Teacher education programs shape prospective teachers, and teachers (can) shape future generations. Teachers serve as multipliers for society; their beliefs and visions have a high influence on their teaching, independently from curriculum directives. This paper describes a study in which we reconstructed teacher education students’ (n = 113) visions of the future in general as well as their future visions on learning and teaching. Methodologically, we chose an open, explanatory free-writing approach (micro-articles) to provide room for emotional expression and creativity. The analysis shows a wide variety of themes, approaches, and dispositions. The results indicate that teacher education programs can build awareness on future visions of prospective teachers. Thus, it appears important to allow them room in their training to reflect and further develop their expectations and visions of the future, so they realize their responsibility towards the future in their role as teachers.