The Effect of Pedagogical Training on Prospective Teachers' Critical Thinking Skills.

Abstract

In a learning process, where an individual is in the centre, has access to information and makes research by himself/herself, the success rate is higher. Individuals’ activities such as searching for knowledge, making research and using information in new applications are included in “Critical Thinking”. In this context, this study aims to determine the effect of pedagogical training on the critical thinking skills of prospective teachers. With this aim, before and after the Pedagogical Formation Course including pedagogical formation lessons, “Critical Thinking Scale” that contains 55 items was applied to 75 prospective teachers in Science field and participating in the course at FA±rat University/Turkey. Pre-test and post-test single group experimental design was used as a research model. It is concluded from the research results that critical thinking skills of prospective teachers can be developed through pedagogical training. As a result it can be suggested that pedagogical training is to be allowed in searching, reconstructive and tolerant classroom environment. Key words: Pedagogical training, critical thinking, prospective teachers, formation lessons.