Research trends in Korean teacher education: Focusing on the Korea National University of Education and the Korean Society for Teacher Education

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the research trends related to teacher education in Korea in the context of research-based teacher education focusing on two specialized academic journals. Methods: Keywords from academic journal articles published since 2000 in two representative academic journals, the Korean Teacher Education Research published by the Korean Association for Teacher Education and Teacher Education published by Korea National University of Education, were collected. The collected keywords were visualized using Gephi 0.9.2, a network visualization program, and the topography of the network and the connections between keywords were examined. In addition, data clustered based on keyword connectivity and Ego networks created based on major topics were used as reference for interpretation. Results: The main analysis results showed that keywords such as preservice teachers, elementary school teachers, and teacher education had high frequencies. In addition, the network can be classified into seven clusters based on the similarity of the network. By analyzing the Ego network centered on the sub-topics of teacher education (teacher policy, preservice teachers, teacher professionalism, professional development, teacher assessment, and PCK), we were able to identify detailed trends in teacher education research and theoretical and discursive landscapes related to teacher education by curriculum revision period. Conclusion: Based on the research results, we presented conclusions and suggestions for setting the direction for reforming teacher education into research-based teacher education that integrates theory, practice, and reflection, securing coherence in teacher education by stage of teacher career, and fostering teachers’ practical competencies as agents of action.