The Factors Influencing Class Teacher Students Evaluations Relating to the Quality of Initial Teacher Education in Tallinn University

Abstract

Problem Statement: Over the past few decades Estonian society has been facing social, cultural, economic and technological changes and challenges. Education and teaching are the key-elements in the light of understanding and coping with the changes in the society. Therefore the professionalism of teachers and the high quality teacher education are the most highlighted issues in discussions connected with educational reform in Estonia. Due to the many new and rapidly changing tasks and roles teachers are expected to fulfill, substantial improvements and reforms of teacher education are seen as imperative.Purpose of Study: Fostering the dialogue between all the parties involved in teacher education and its reform, it's important to know, how student teachers themselves evaluate the initial teacher education. The current presentation introduces the results of a research the aim of which was to get information about student teachers’ opinions about the quality of initial class teacher education in the Tallinn University in order to overlook the class teacher curriculum and initial class teacher education generally.Research MethodsThe qualitative research method in the form of free writing was used for getting empirical research data. The main questions that researcher-teacher trainer wanted to get answer to, were: which factors influence student class teachers’ opinions towards quality of their education the most? What are they or are not satisfied with?Findings: More than half of the students said that one of the indicators of quality of teacher education is the lectures professionalism. Next frequent issues named in the students writings were connected with general and didactic subjects. Almost all the statements about didactic subjects expressed satisfaction. Statements connected with general subject mostly expressed dissatisfaction. The percentage of students satisfied with more general subject is connected with the year of studies. ConclusionsThe results of the research showed that the most visible factor of evaluating the quality of education seems to be lecturers professionalism, devotion, communication skills and attractiveness. The next important aspect is the amount and the place of practical subjects and the balance between didactic and general subjects. It seems to be necessary to re-look the class teacher curricula and initial teacher education in general from this viewpoint and to make needed changes.