Opinions of Social Studies Teacher Candidates on Teaching Practice Process

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the views of pre-service social studies teachers about the teaching practice process. The data of this research, which was conducted as a qualitative study, were obtained from interviews with 13 volunteer pre-service social studies teachers selected by criterion sampling method in 2021-2022. The research data were collected with a 10-question interview form prepared by the researchers. Content analysis method was used to analyse the data obtained. The findings obtained as a result of the data analyses were presented under four headings: prospective teachers' expectations from the teaching practice process, prospective teachers' relations with the stakeholders of the teaching practice process, problems of the teaching practice course and suggestions for solving the problems encountered in the teaching practice course. Tables related to coding and categories are given under the headings and some of the opinions that are the source of these codes are presented as cross-sections. As a result, it was determined that pre-service teachers expected the teaching practice process to prepare them for the teaching profession, but this expectation was not fully met. Reasons such as insufficient time, indifference of the stakeholders of the process, and lack of co-operation between the university and the school were cited as reasons for this. In line with the findings obtained as a result of the research, suggestions were made to increase the duration of the teaching practice process and to strengthen stakeholder communication.