Abstract
In 21<sup>st</sup> century teacher education programs should capacitate teachers with effective reflective practitioner skills that could help them address students having diverse learning interests, styles and backgrounds. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the perceived importance of Ethiopian teacher education program called postgraduate diploma in teaching (PGDT), particularly summer modality, from student teachers’ point of view. To this study purpose mixed research method was employed. A sample of 108 summer student teachers was selected by using simple random sampling method (lottery system). Questionnaire (having close-ended and open-ended items) was used to collect data. Its validity was checked by senior teacher educators and it was also found to be reliable (α=0.71). The document of student teachers’ grade record was used as source of data. Quantitative data were analyzed by using one sample t-test (two-tailed), frequency and percentage while narrative approach was used to analyze qualitative data. The study found out that student teachers have positive perception on the importance of PGDT program though their academic achievement in many courses is found to be very low. Finally, the need to evaluate effectiveness of postgraduate diploma in teaching (PGDT) program via value-added model was forwarded as a recommendation.
Highlights
In 21st century the role of teachers is not to pass on knowledge to the learners but to steer them towards selflearning
Postgraduate diploma in teaching (PGDT) program: Improves my professional competence Fills my professional gaps Enables me to be reflective practitioner Equips me with required professional knowledge and skills Enhances my assessment practices Capacitates me to use a variety of active learning methods Enables me to understand my professional responsibilities Enables me to understand educational policy of Ethiopia Improves my pedagogical skills Enables me to engage in continuous professional development Enables me to understand students’ different learning styles Improves my classroom management skills Enhances my knowledge in culturally responsive pedagogy Capacitates me with an overall professional skills
Summer student teachers agreed that postgraduate diploma in teaching (PGDT) program is important to fill their professional gaps (t=8.511) and enables them to be reflective practitioners (t=7.417)
Summary
In 21st century the role of teachers is not to pass on knowledge to the learners but to steer them towards selflearning. Teachers are at the forefront of educational quality assurance endeavor. According to American Psychological Association, effective teaching has always been important so that the effectiveness of programs to produce high-quality teachers has become an issue of national concern [2]. Tremendous literatures have asserted that the quality of learning cannot take place without qualified and professionally capacitated teachers. In this regard, recent scholarship has highlighted methods that can be used by teacher education programs to demonstrate that the candidates who complete their programs are well prepared to support student learning [2].
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