THE PLACE OF TEACHING PRACTICE IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

Teaching Practice (TP) is fundamental and an age long practice in the faculties of education. However, as old as it is and with the new trend in teaching, there are serious challenges affecting the effectiveness of TP exercise. Notably, they lack good proficiency, subject mastery after graduation among others. This study examined the place of TPin Nigerian universities (NU). Descriptive survey research design was adopted.Study population comprised 734 students while purposive sampling technique was used in selecting six departments in the Faculty of Education (FU), University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan Nigeria.Propionate size to sampling technique was used to select 70% of 400 (320) level students in each department selected for the survey.“Teaching Practice Questionnaire for Students (TPQS)” was the research instrument used to collect data. Cronbach’s Alpha statistics was used to obtain the reliability coefficient of 0.89. Descriptive statistics and Pearson product moment correlation were used in analyzing the data collected. Level of effectiveness of TP exercise was reported to be high. The result also showed that TP exercise had positive effect on student teachers.The result equally found that no significant but positive and weak relationship exists between TP of student teachers and the acquisition of 21st century skills in the FU, UI. Stakeholders should work together to keep upon improving effectiveness of TP exercise in NU. The acquisition of 21st century skills should be taught student teachers from time to time for effective teaching delivery.