Perceptions Of Pre-service Teachers Research Articles

Preservice teacher perceptions of preparedness for teaching: Insights from survey research exploring the links between teacher professional standards and agency

In this article we explore the use of teacher professional standards in an initial teacher education programme and preservice teacher perceptions of their preparedness for teaching using a survey of 54 first‐ and second‐year preservice teachers in a graduate‐entry programme. The survey asked the preservice teachers to respond to 16 questions based on professional standards as well as their knowledge of student learning, professional identity and teaching as a career path. The preservice teachers’ responses were analysed using a mixed methods approach that relied on quantitative methods, but was supplemented by qualitative analysis of short‐answer responses. Our analyses hypothesised about possible links between the preservice teachers’ responses and the extent to which they perceived they were classroom and career ready. The themes of teachers, teaching and student learning are used to present and discuss the results, while the notion of agency as achievement is used to deepen possible understanding about their meaning and implications. We conclude that the preservice teachers appeared to benefit from learning about professional standards throughout their programme but appeared to lack confidence in: engaging professionally with others such as parents/carers; setting objectives for all students with different backgrounds; and implementing lesson sequences that engage students and promote learning. Most doubted teaching as their future career. Finally, we discuss implications for: adopting standards‐integrated initial teacher education programme approaches; preservice and early‐career teacher professional learning needs; and future research opportunities, which include using innovative methodologies and conceptual frameworks.

Perception of the Next Generation Science Standard instructional practices among Vietnamese pre-service and in-service teachers

STEM education has been emphasized in many countries around the world because of its benefits for students in the new century. In response to STEM education, Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) has released for a new vision of science education in which learning disciplinary content and crosscutting concepts is through engaging science and engineering practices. Educational reforms lead to a need for science teacher education programs and professional development. To prepare better for pre-service teachers, it is necessary to know their perception about these science and engineering practices. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the perception of pre-service teachers and in-service teachers’ implementation of instructional practices that align with NGSS as well as school principals’ views of science teaching. To get the goal, a convergent parallel mixed-method research design was employed in which quantitative data is a survey of science instructional practices from 187 pre-service teachers and 100 in-service teachers and qualitative data is interviews of 10 school principals in Can Tho city, Vietnam. The finding indicated that pre-service teachers highly evaluated science and engineering practices in teaching science while in-service teachers’ implementation of these practices was lower. In-service teachers tend to use more traditional instruction and incorporate students’ prior knowledge in their teaching. Although school principals revealed their appreciation toward teaching science through practices, they admitted that currently, implementation of these practices has been still limited.

Pre-Service Biology Teachers’ Perceptions of the Concepts of ‘System’ and ‘Biological System’

ABSTRACT This study investigated how pre-service biology teachers perceived the concepts of ‘system’ – as the basic component of the systems thinking approach – and ‘biological system’ specific to biology. The most important characteristics of a system appear as elements, interactions, interconnections, hierarchy, purpose and forming a whole. The data of the study were collected from students who were studying at the Faculty of Education of a state university in Ankara. The study employed the basic qualitative research approach. A questionnaire consisting of open-ended questions and interviews was utilised to collect the data. The sample consisted of 150 pre-service teachers for the questionnaire and 15 pre-service teachers for the interviews. The collected data were subjected to thematic analysis. It was determined that the pre-service teachers had a general perception of a ‘system’ and a ‘biological system’, but this perception was not as strong as a perception that they could apply in their own educational processes. Systems thinking approach and system concept are critical not only for pre-service biology teachers but also for all other fields. It is considered that it is necessary to positively contribute to the perception of pre-service teachers who are the teachers of the future towards these concepts.

Metaphoric Perceptions of Preservice Teachers Regarding Technological Change

The purposes of this study were to determine metaphoric perception of preservice teachers from different fields regarding technological change and to examine the differences and similarities between perceptions of preservice teachers (1st and 4th grades). This study employed single case (holistic) study as a qualitative approach. Participants consisted of 445 preservice teachers who have continued their education in different programs in 2019-2020 academic year in Faculty of Education. After informing participants about metaphor technique and its applications, each participant was asked to fill out a structured form. The structured form included a prompt: “Technological change is like ......, because......”. Content analysis technique was employed to analyze the data. Content analysis included developing conceptual categorization and themes based on the reasoning of metaphors. Results showed that most of the participants had similar metaphoric perception regarding technological change, considering “metaphoric categories” and “conceptual categories.” However, “metaphoric categories” and “metaphoric concepts” had similarities and differences by year. And, “technological change as societal/cultural interaction” theme emerged from the analysis. This theme consisted of two categories (influencer and influenced) and these two categories were grouped in three sub-categories. Overall, the results indicate that preservice teachers’ perceptions of “technological change” concept had some variations.

A Case for Pedagogic Writing Instruction for Pre-Service Teachers to Learn Applied Grammar in the Context of Their Own Writing

Revived interest in grammar as a tool to teach writing is a phenomenon of the 21st century since inquiry in the 50s determined it to have “no positive impact on” writing instruction (Locke, 2005; Qtd. in McCormack-Colbert, Ware, & Jones, 2018, p. 165). Yet in the past two and a half decades, the concepts of Contextualized Grammar and Pedagogic Grammar have earned recognition in English and Language Education as a new kind of instruction shown to enhance writing when providing learners strategic mini lessons in grammar. This article also proposes the converse: in a college grammar course, strategic writing instruction assists students to learn grammar and usage in an applied setting of creating, revising, and editing their own texts. This article first reviews the premises and bases for the reappearance of grammar to teach writing and then describes the writer’s parallel approach to grammar instruction through the strategic use of writing assignments referred to here as Pedagogic Writing. The article closes with an account of the performances and perceptions of pre-service teachers sent to English by the School of Education to take ENG G 207, Grammar and Usage, showing preliminarily their successful application across three semesters, from spring 2020 through spring 2021.

Experiencing the future: preservice teacher perceptions of the solution-focused brief coaching approach

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe teacher candidate perceptions of the influence of solution-focused brief coaching (SFBC) sessions on movement toward self-identified outcomes. The SFBC approach emanated from the London-based organization BRIEF: The Centre for Solution Focused Practice (BRIEF, n.d.).Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study engaged ten participants in two SFBC sessions. In the first coaching session, participants identified a “preferred future” and described what would be happening when it came to fruition. Coaches employed SFBC elements such as the “miracle question,” scaling questions, descriptions of strengths and recognition of resources already in place (Iveson et al., 2012). In the second session, following coaching, participants shared their perceptions and experiences of the SFBC process.FindingsAll participants reported movement toward desired outcomes, and their perceptions of the SFBC process revealed five themes: an increase in positive emotion, enhanced self-efficacy, value in the co-construction of their preferred future, the coaching process as a catalyst for actualizing their preferred future and adoption of a solution-focused lens in other contexts.Originality/valueThis study answers the call for additional research in three areas: it provides data from completed SFBC sessions, examines participant follow-up on progress toward their preferred futures and provides insight regarding the coaching relationship dynamic. In addition, it provides qualitative findings for the SFBC approach, which have traditionally been dominated by quantitative results.

What Do Teacher-Education College Students Know about Parental Involvement: A Comparative Study between the U.S. and Israel

Given that the professional literature provides ample evidence of the importance of parental involvement and its effect on learners’ academic outcomes and positive social/emotional states, the aim of this quantitative study was to understand and compare the perceptions of preservice teachers regarding parental involvement and family engagement in Israel and the U.S. Fisher’s Perception of Parental Involvement Scale (PPIS; Fisher, 2011) was used to survey 469 education-college students: 269 American students and 200 Israeli students. Analysis indicated that the model was a better fit for Israeli students and an acceptable fit for U.S. students. However, in general, Israeli and US students in teaching colleges agreed on many of the components of parental involvement. Some results differed by gender, age, level of education, and prior teaching experience. These results may suggest that the fundamental concepts that constitute the family engagement are not culturally bound, but rather may be common among different cultures and nations. Further research is required to confirm this. Notwithstanding, gaining a general understanding of pre- and in-service teachers’ perceptions regarding parental involvement and family engagement could prompt the colleges to expand their teacher-education programs to better address this important issue.

Irish and Turkish pre-service teachers understanding and perceptions of enterprise education

While many of its roots are derived from business contexts, enterprise education is evolving, and interest in its impact on initial teacher education is increasing. While common goals exist across regions, practices tend to differ. The perceptions of pre-service teachers who have been exposed to enterprise education in different countries can provide important clues about developing entrepreneurial teachers through their initial teacher education. This paper examines the perceptions of Irish and Turkish pre-service teachers who are exposed to enterprise education. The research data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with three main categories and 14 open-ended questions. The data collected from interviews was analysed using the constant comparative method. Findings show that enterprise education has a positive impact on pre-service teachers regarding content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and future intentions. Findings also indicate that exposure to enterprise education may affect pre-service teachers' perceptions of its role in education.

Perceptions of pre-service teachers about outdoor learning for STEM Education in early childhood education

This study explored pre-service teachers’ perceptions of outdoor learning for STEM education. The 29 pre-service teachers were asked to respond with opened questionnaire about teaching experience information for STEM outdoor learning and ideas of how to implement outdoor learning in STEM education. Data were analysed using a qualitative analysis. Qualitative data analysis was analysed by content analysis methods. The finding indicates that pre-service teachers’ perceptions about outdoor learning for STEM-related with these three ways: a local place in the community, cooperation with people in the community, and knowledge of how to integrate activity within the things around the community. They think outdoor learning provides an authentic context for students to solve real-world problems and develop problem-solving skills. Their perceptions also show the way of how to integrate the nature of STEM with outdoor learning and how to connect STEM disciplines with outdoor learning.

Implications of Preservice Teachers' Perceptions of the Visual Arts for Educator Preparation

This study addresses preservice teacher perceptions of their experience with the arts. Implications are explored for how educator preparation programs might address an art course for generalist or multiple-subject teachers. This study adds to the literature on perception of art from K-8 generalist multiple-subject teachers by applying a discourse analysis to a survey of preservice teachers' (n = 37) perceptions of their experience with art in school. The survey was administered at a public university in the United States with questions asking participants to briefly explain their perceptions and experiences with the fine arts and how the fine arts are integrated into teaching practices. This study addresses the following question: How do preservice elementary teachers conceptualize the fine arts? Recommendations are made for educator preparation programs.

Learning to Teach in Place: Transforming Pre-service Teacher Perceptions of Science Teaching Through Place Pedagogies

Although teaching science outdoors is well established in global circles, its pedagogical value in Australia is less understood. This paper addresses this gap through its investigation of outdoor science teaching in a science method course in a teacher education program at an Australian regional university. As part of their coursework, pre-service teachers designed and delivered science lessons to primary school-aged children in small teaching groups in a wetland setting and wrote reflective essays about the experience. Data collection methods included document analysis of the essays as well as follow-up semi-structured interviews with pre-service teachers. Findings suggest that the outdoor science teaching experience improved pre-service teachers’ general science teaching skills, and significantly contributed to their capacity to teach science outdoors. Considerations regarding how teacher education curriculum and pedagogy can be reconfigured to better equip graduating teachers with the relevant science skills,

The Perceptions of Pre-service Teachers on Bachelor of Education Program in Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Pakistan

The provision of quality teachers by teacher preparation programs determines the quality of education in schools. The study aimed to define trainee teachers' beliefs about teacher education and include recommendations for improving teacher education, giventhe importance of teacher education for the quality of education in educational institutions. The study included 45 trainee teachers from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University's education department in Dir upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 30 people were chosen for inclusion in the analysis using a purposive random sampling method. A questionnaire was developed, validated, and piloted to ensure its accuracy. The information was gathered using self-administered questionnaires and evaluated using mean ratings, standard deviation, and the chi-square significance test. The study found that trainee teachers in the institute are satisfied with their needs and demands through teacher education, that teacher education curricula are tailored to the needs of trainee teachers, that subject content courses are appropriate, that the scope of teaching practicum is broad, that training is linked to practical school experiences, and that school management courses are offered. The pedagogy courses help trainee teachers improve their teaching skills, and they receive adequate training in evaluation methods. There are also quality academic research activities. The study suggested that trainee teachers attend orientation sessions to learn about their needs and demands,which could be met through teacher preparation. Teacher education curricula are revised to provide more realistic exposure to the school's atmosphere and activities.Keywords:bachelor of education, beliefs, teacher education, trainee-teachers

The Perceptions of Pre-service Teachers on Bachelor of Education Program in Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Pakistan

The provision of quality teachers by teacher preparation programs determines the quality of education in schools. The study aimed to define pre-service teachers' beliefs about teacher education and include recommendations for improving teacher education, given the importance of teacher education for the quality of education in educational institutions. The study included 45 pre-service teachers from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University's education department in Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 30 people were chosen for inclusion in the analysis using a purposive random sampling method. A questionnaire was developed, validated, and piloted to ensure its accuracy. The information was gathered using self-administered questionnaires and evaluated using mean ratings, standard deviation, and the chi-square significance test. The study found that pre-service teachers in the institute are satisfied with their needs and demands through teacher education, that teacher education curricula are tailored to the needs of pre-service teachers, that subject content courses are appropriate, that the scope of teaching practicum is broad, that training is linked to practical school experiences, and that school management courses are offered. The pedagogy courses help pre-service teachers improve their teaching skills, and they receive adequate training in evaluation methods. There are also quality academic research activities. The study suggested that pre-service teachers attend orientation sessions to learn about their needs and demands, which could be met through teacher preparation. Teacher education curricula are revised to provide more realistic exposure to the school's atmosphere and activities.

Comparison of Prospective Teachers’ Perceptions of Problem-Solving Skills in Terms of Various Variables

The study aimed to determine whether there is a difference between the perceptions of pre-service teachers’ problem-solving skills according to various factors. 297 pre-service teachers from Afyon Kocatepe University Faculty of Education in the province of Afyonkarahisar in Turkey participated in the study. The group hidden figures test was used to determine the cognitive styles of pre-service teachers. The problem-solving inventory was used to measure the perceptions of problem-solving skills. According to the findings, it was found that the perception of problem-solving skills of pre-service teachers was high. It was observed that the candidates also perceived themselves as having these approaches in all sub-dimensions. According to the research results, problem-solving perception does not affect the way of approaching the problem. Male and female candidates’ perceptions of problem-solving skills are not directly related to gender. Candidates’ perceptions vary according to the grade level.

Exploring the Factor Structure of the Constructs of Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK): An Exploratory Factor Analysis Based on the Perceptions of TESOL Pre-Service Teachers at a British Private University in Malaysia

Using the TPACK framework, this research study investigated how pre-service teachers perceive their development of the knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy necessary for technology integration; and explored the opportunities that pre-service teachers have to learn about technology integration. It employed a convergent parallel mixed methods case study design. It has a single-embedded case design. The unit of analysis for inquiry is the undergraduate teacher preparation program at a private British university in Malaysia. This study incorporates quantitative data collection in the form of a survey alongside qualitative data collection conducted through semi-structured interviews. The participants for the survey comprised of three purposefully selected convenience samples of pre-service teachers (Years One, Two, and Three) studying the undergraduate teacher preparation program. Following the administration of the survey, a maximum variation sample of pre-service teachers who participated in the survey was invited for semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that the EFA found support for TK and CK being distinctive knowledge constructs within the pre-service teachers’ knowledge perceptions. While PK, PCK, TPK, TCK, and TPACK were postulated to be distinct knowledge constructs in the TPACK framework, these were not reflected in the perceptions of the pre-service teacher participants of this study. Implications and recommendations are suggested.

Service-learning in English as a Second Language Teacher Training Program: Exploring Pre- service Teachers’ Authentic Learning Experiences

As the world we live in has become more digitalized, challenges are occurring left and right, especially in the education field. In gaining quality teachers, there is a need to train future educators to have the ability to adapt to the ever-changing technology and global changes. However, pre-service teachers often seem unprepared and unable to adapt to changes. Hence, implementing service-learning in the teacher training program is vital as it provides the opportunity to engage and experience 21st-century real classroom lessons. Service-learning has also been proven to be an effective approach in training pre-service teachers. This paper aims to investigate the perceptions of pre-service teachers toward service-learning in terms of authentic learning experiences. It highlights how the implementation of service-learning approach in learning to teach writing in a second language context facilitates pre-service teachers in terms of authentic experience. A qualitative method was conducted to investigate the authentic learning experiences among 54 pre-service teachers in a public university in Malaysia. Data were collected through open-ended questions. Based on this study, the findings showed that the pre-service teachers could experience the real-life environment of teaching and learning and applying educational theories learned. They were also able to obtain hands-on experience in interacting with the students and marking their sample essays. It is hoped that future teachers and educational organizations can benefit from understanding the benefits of service-learning in teacher training programs. Future researchers could investigate the challenges of service-learning in teacher training programs.

Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers’ Perception on Realistic Mathematics Education

Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) has a long story of application around the world. Experts belief that it is a prominent approach in teaching and learning mathematics. However, there is a need to analyse whether it still suitable to use in the classroom teaching in preparing students to survive in the 21st century era. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe pre-service mathematics teachers’ perception about RME. This study is a descriptive research using survey method. The data were collected through questionnaire. The collected data was analysed by using percentage technique. The result shows that there is positive perception of pre-service mathematics teachers in this study towards the use of RME in classroom teaching.

Measurement of TPACK self-efficacy for pre-service science teachers

This study aimed to measure the TPACK self-efficacy of prospective science teachers based on Koehler and Mishra’s technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) theoretical framework. The instrument in this study was developed by Kiray, which consists of seven subscales; the total number of items was 55. To test the instrument, 158 students were used as respondents. Research respondents comprised 312 students in a senior year from the Faculty of Math and Science Universitas Negeri Semarang. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed for the construct validity of the scale. The analysis results showed that the number of items from 55 to 49 items and eight subscales. The Cronbach alpha internal reliability coefficient was calculated using SPSS 20.0 as 0.968; reliability composite 0.959, which means the scale developed was feasible to measure TPACK self-efficacy perception of pre-service science teachers. The results obtained indicate that the average TPACK self-efficacy was in the medium category.

An investigation into pre-service teachers’ online learning climate perceptions

Starting from the first half of 2020, educational institutions at all levels have had to switch to online education as an emergency solution for the global outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. However, it would hardly be justified to argue that teachers and students were well-prepared for such a swift change. Accordingly, this transformation has resulted in many difficulties for teachers and students along with educational institutions. One of the primary challenges teachers have experienced throughout the process is creating a positive online classroom climate. Thus, the main purpose of the present study is to reveal the online learning climate perceptions of pre-service teachers by adapting and using the Online Learning Climate Scale (OLCS) in Turkish context. In a similar vein, such variables as gender, department or grade level, which may have an influence on the perceptions of pre-service teachers, are also aimed to be disclosed within the study. The research has been conducted with a study group of 348 pre-service teachers. It has been observed that the pre-service teachers’ perceptions on online learning climate are at less than moderate level; therefore, far from satisfactory. Additionally, it has been noted that variables such as the department, grade level and level of digital literacy have an influence on the OLCS perceptions of the pre-service teachers. Finally, the overall results of the study suggest that the skill of creating a positive online learning climate needs to be improved for pre-service teachers via integrating courses into the curriculum of teacher training institutions and organizing subject-specific trainings.

Exploring the Perceptions of Secondary Pre-service Teachers on Prior Practicum Program: Based on Metaphor Analysis

Exploring the Perceptions of Secondary Pre-service Teachers on Prior Practicum Program: Based on Metaphor Analysis