Self-perceived competences by future chemistry teachers in Brazil.

Abstract

In this work we have compared the self-perceived competences of future chemistry teachers who are pursuing teacher training courses in all the regions of Brazil taking the following factors into account: sex, age and Brazilian region origin. A quantitative exploration was adopted and the data were collected using the Self-Perceived Competences of Teachers in Initial Chemistry Training (SPCTICT) instrument, composed of 21 items. An exploratory factor analysis enabled grouping the items into three factors: (a) self-perception of technical competences (knowledge), (b) Self-perception of competences linked to specific aspects (know-how) and, finally, (c) self-perception of generic competences (knowing how to act or how to behave). The results demonstrate statistically significant differences among men and women on the self-perception of their own competences regarding knowledge construction in chemistry.