Abstract:
What occurs during teacher training and does it appear to have an impact on prospective teachers within the School of Physical Education (SPE) in Singapore? Two of the components that Zeichner and Gore (1990) identified as having influence during the professional socialisation process within teacher preparation are relevant to Singapore: methods and foundations course within a student's specialisation, and practical teaching experiences.
For this study, 106 students enrolled in either the Diploma in Physical Education or the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Physical Education) volunteered to participate. Student filled out questionnaires before taking any classes and again at the end of their second (final) year at SPE. In the first questionnaire, students were asked questions that pertained to their perceptions about what physical education was, how they thought they would teach the subject, were they most interested in teaching or coaching and how they felt about teaching a second subject; among others. The second questionnaire contained these same questions again, plus additional ones that concerned their second year practice teaching experiences, as well as questions on their feelings of preparedness to teach in the schools. Results of this study will be discussed.
For this study, 106 students enrolled in either the Diploma in Physical Education or the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Physical Education) volunteered to participate. Student filled out questionnaires before taking any classes and again at the end of their second (final) year at SPE. In the first questionnaire, students were asked questions that pertained to their perceptions about what physical education was, how they thought they would teach the subject, were they most interested in teaching or coaching and how they felt about teaching a second subject; among others. The second questionnaire contained these same questions again, plus additional ones that concerned their second year practice teaching experiences, as well as questions on their feelings of preparedness to teach in the schools. Results of this study will be discussed.