Incorporating the Clinical Interview Method into the Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science Course

In the Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science course, preservice teachers explore “what it means to know” in which they engage in activities that directly relate to understanding what the students know and how they came to know. The Clinical Interview method is an essential component of the course to help preservice teachers examine students’ problem-solving and thought processes in 7–12 grade mathematics and science. Through the clinical interview process, preservice teachers “analyze domain-specific problem-solving activities and approaches in an applied fashion” (UTeach Institute, 2014, p. 18). This paper describes the revisions the course instructor made on the clinical interview assignment to improve preservice teachers’ understanding of their prospective students and the course concepts as they apply theory into teaching practice.