Determining Preservice Teachers’ Goal Orientations for Learning through Card Sorting Activity

Abstract

This study aims to investigate what preservice teachers’ goal orientations are in the learning environment through the card-sorting activity. Moreover, this study aims to examine preservice teachers’ goal orientations in terms of certain variables such as gender, class level and department type. Participants consisted of preservice teachers attending different departments at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University in Turkey. In this research, the card-sorting activity and a semi-structured interview form were used as data collection tools. As suggested by Friedrichsen and Dana (2003; 2005) in the literature, to identify preservice teachers’ goal orientations for learning, a card-sorting activity consisting of scenarios was prepared and used by the researchers. In the card-sorting activity, goal orientation scenarios were formed according to Elliot and McGroger’s (2001) 2x2 goal orientations structures. Scenarios and the semi-structured interview form which were used in this research were formed upon consulting specialists. This study was designed in the case study approach of the qualitative research methodology. Finally, the data collected were analyzed by the descriptive analysis technique. The results indicated that preservice teachers associated themselves with the learning approach goal orientation the most and the performance avoidance goal orientation the least. Recommendations for implementation were offered to practitioners. Keywords: Preservice teachers, goal orientations, card-sorting activity, semi-structured interviews