ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents the holistic complexity of the issues involved in the teaching practicum process. It is concerned with role of the teaching practicum in the framework of teacher education and with the current practices in different education systems and future direction of practicum. The book provides a critical review of some of the issues associated with teaching practicum and an insight into trends in teaching practicum from the perspectives of researchers from different educational settings. It focuses on the teaching practicum practices in England, Turkey and Finland, and on what makes practicum successful and how practicum foster pre-service teachers’ professional development. The book discusses the implementation of the new information and communication technologies and explores the technological opportunities to stimulate more interactive teaching practicum for the student teachers, mentors and cooperating teachers.
