Perception of pre-service teachers about their competence in biology applications

Abstract

This study examined the perception of pre-service biology teachers about their competence in biology applications. The study was conducted on senior students who took all application courses since the first year of the university. Totally 150 senior students participated in the study in 2003-2007 period. In the scope of the study, students were asked “As a pre-service teacher, how competent you find yourself in using effectively the instruments in the biology laboratory, teaching the subjects covering laboratory techniques and methods, ensuring maintenance of the instruments in the biology laboratory and establishment of a biology laboratory in a secondary education institution”. The answers were grouped in a 5-point Likert type scale, ranging from 5: Quite competent to 1: not competent. The study results showed that pre-service teachers found themselves “partially competent” in “using effectively the instruments in the biology laboratory” and “teaching the subjects covering laboratory techniques and methods” (respectively Ā = 3.33; Ā = 3.29). Moreover; a significant, positive relationship was found between pre-service teachers’ scores related to “using effectively the instruments in the biology laboratory” and “teaching the subjects covering laboratory techniques and methods” (p = 0.01, r = 0.73).