Developing preschool teacher graduate students’ professional identity with action research: connecting theory and practice

This article focuses on using action research (AR) to support preschool teacher graduate students in developing professional identity. An effective means of generating new knowledge and transforming school practices, AR has increasingly been adopted in research on education due to allowing teachers to act as researchers and directly benefit from the research process. The objective of our study was to explore how engaging in AR can enhance the development of professional identity among preschool teacher graduate students. For data, we collected journal from 30 students while and after they engaged in AR for a full year under the guidance of university teachers and preschool-based mentors. The findings, based on our analysis of five students' journals, suggest that engaging in AR supported the students in developing professional identity and increased their confidence as soon-to-be professionals. Moreover, the students reported that the support provided by the university teachers, the preschool-based mentors, and the students' course group was crucial to their success. Overall, our findings highlight not only the value of AR in supporting preschool teacher graduate students' professional growth but also the importance of collaborative support for their positive professionalisation.