This document analyzes research produced in student teacher theses within two early childhood teacher education programs in Portugal. It finds that most research focused on understanding the impact of teaching strategies or solving practical problems. Studies primarily used observation of student teachers' own practice and had a practical focus on improving teaching. However, the research showed some limitations like a lack of analytical skills and not sufficiently questioning or distancing from practice. The study concludes that further developing teachers' research skills is important to improve the quality of teaching and the status of the teaching profession.

1. Research and Professional Knowledge Construction in Early Childhood Teachers' Education: a study of student teachers' thesis within two programmes in Portugal. Maria Pacheco Figueiredo School of Education and Center of Studies in Education, Technologies and Health, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu [email_address] Gabriela Portugal Department of Educational Sciences, University of Aveiro [email_address] Maria do Céu Roldão Center of Child Studies, University of Minho [email_address] ECER 2008 Göteborg - From Teaching to Learning? Network 10 10 – 12 September

4. Background teachers as knowledge producers: anticipated advantages Figueiredo, Portugal, & Roldão Emmancipation “ voice” Lifelong learning Teaching and school's quality Development of specific and relevant educational knowledge Teachers' scientific autonomy: control over knowledge and theory that guide and sustain their work

5. Background research dimension in teacher education Figueiredo, Portugal, & Roldão Reflective and questioning attitude Development of educational knowledge As a training strategy/tool Critical use of research To base decision making and action ...

6. Background Early Childhood initial teacher education in Portugal Figueiredo, Portugal, & Roldão Historical overview XIX century 1920’s 1977 1980’s 1997 2007 2001 Same as primary school + specific Private schools “ Normal schools” – public Higher education – Bachelor’s degree Higher education – Licenciate's degree Professional performance profile Bologna – Master’s degree 4 + 2 yrs 2 to 4 yrs 3 yrs 3 yrs 4 yrs 3 + 1 yrs > < < < =/< =/< = 1989 Legal orientations for teacher education <

21. Research and Professional Knowledge Construction in EC Teachers' Education: a study of student teachers' thesis within two programmes in Portugal. Maria Pacheco Figueiredo School of Education and Center of Studies in Education, Technologies and Health, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu [email_address] http://meudoutoramento.blogspot.com http://www.intervir.net/maria (draft paper available from monday 15th sept.) Gabriela Portugal, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Aveiro [email_address] Maria do Céu Roldão, Center of Child Studies, University of Minho [email_address] ECER 2008 Göteborg - From Teaching to Learning? Network 10 10 – 12 September