Teachers' efficacy to affect student learning

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the concept of teacher efficacy in order to expose its application in educational practice. Selected literature was reviewed to determine the meaning, types, measurement and application of teacher efficacy. Teacher efficacy or teaching efficacy is defined as teachers' belief in their ability to bring about positive educational outcomes in the children they teach. Teaching efficacy emerged mainly from selfefficacy, a construct derived from Bandura's social cognitive theory (SCT). General teaching efficacy (GTE) and personal teaching efficacy (PTE) have been identified. General teaching efficacy is defined as the belief that teaching can impact student learning in spite of external constraints, and PTE as a teacher's perceived ability to positively impact student learning. Other types of teacher efficacy include subject teaching efficacy and collective teaching efficacy. The literature shows that there is a positive correlation between teacher efficacy and positive student outcomes. As most studies on teacher efficacy were conducted in the United States, it was suggested that researchers should vigorously study the construct in the African context in order to apply it in improving educational practices. IFE PsychologIA Vol. 14(2) 2006: 16-35