Cooperating Teachers as School Based Teacher Educators : Student Teachers' Expectations

Abstract

The National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore adapted and implemented a Partnership Model with schools in 1999 to help student teachers translate what they have learned in the teacher education programme into practice during the Practicum. This was realized through the utilization of classroom practitioners as cooperating teachers (CTs) to monitor and supervise student teacher’s teaching. This study explored the expectations of the student teachers from their cooperating teachers and the type and level of help they received from their cooperating teachers during the practicum. The areas in which help is desired and considered important by student teachers fall under four broad categories: help in teaching the curriculum subjects, help in classroom management, information to function well in the school environment, and help in evaluating and providing feedback on their teaching. The level of help provided in these areas was below the level of student teachers’ expectations. The article suggests how the role and status of the CTs may be improved to become effective partners in teacher education.