Exploring pre-service teachers' perceived weaknesses during their school-based teaching experience: School-based teaching experience and pre-service teachers' perceived problems

Abstract

The first year in any profession is daunting: even more so the first year in teaching. (Merrill, 1985: p 7) There is increasing emphasis on using research evidence to assess the effectiveness of teacher preparation and research about what prospective teachers learn in their coursework and field experiences. The study attempts to analyze the needs of prospective teachers by addressing the perceived areas that need development in recognizing the multiple challenges that teachers face in their student teaching. 141 pre-service teachers were participated in the study. Results of the study help to evaluate and revise the teacher education curriculum and practicum process as well as presenting implications for better teacher education programs