Connecting the theory and practice in preschool teacher education

  • Gülsen Ünver
  • Elif Kurşunlu
Keywords: Theory and practice connection, ppre-service teacher education, pre-school education

Abstract

This study describes the effects of the activities used in Teaching Principles and Methods (TPM) course in Preschool Teacher Education Program on connecting theory and practice. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were used conducted to collect data. Sixty preschool teacher candidates in two cohorts, ten cooperating teachers and two instructors participated in the study. The results indicate that TPM course is provide the teacher candidates permanent learning about theoretical basis of teaching principles and methods and planning teaching responsively for children and in accord with centralized preschool education curriculum. In connecting theory and practice, supportive factors are facilitative behaviors of cooperating teachers, teacher candidates’ positive attitudes in learning process, discussing on different ideas in group studying and well-organized planning for TPM. Hindering factors for connecting theory and practice are learning deficiencies in theoretical knowledge of teacher candidates and compliance problems in group studying. Participants recommend that the instructors should lecture more explicitly, ab initio teaching practices should take place in preservice teacher education programs for connecting theory and practice.

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How to Cite
Ünver, G., & Kurşunlu, E. (2014). Connecting the theory and practice in preschool teacher education. International Journal of Curriculum and Instructional Studies (IJOCIS), 4(7), 39-54.