The Study of the Approach for Enhancing Teaching Practice of Pre-service Teachers in a Work-based Learning Environment

Abstract

This research aimed to study: 1) the teaching practice model of pre-service teachers (PsTs), 2) the ability in the teaching practice of PsTs, 3) the teachers’ characteristics of PsTs in the teaching practice, 4) the problems and obstacles in the teaching practice of PsTs, and 5) the satisfaction of PsTs towards the teaching practice. The population and key informants were PsTs (n=64) who enrolled in the fifth-year of a five-year Bachelor Program of Education in Teaching the Chinese Language, and the instructors (n=7) in the academic years 2018 – 2019 from School of Creative Educational Management, Panyapiwat Institute of Management; the mentor teachers (n=25) in the academic years 2018 – 2019 from school partners. Data collection tools included 1) the questionnaire about the teaching practice for the PsTs, 2) the questionnaire about the teaching practice for the instructors and mentor teachers, and 3) the question guide for focus group discussion for the instructors and mentor teachers. Quantitative data were analyzed by using percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and qualitative data were analyzed by using content analysis. The research findings indicated that: 1) the instructors’ opinions about the teaching practice model of the PsTs were in accord. There were three key steps: (1) the preparation process before the teaching practice, (2) the action process during the teaching practice – supervisory practice and periodic monitoring, and (3) the post processing after the teaching practice – sharing and learning from experience. 2) the results of self-assessment of the PsTs were accordant with the evaluation of the instructors, mentor teachers after the teaching practice in terms of teaching ability. They were at a high level in aspect of the use of media for learning management. 3) the results of self-assessment of the PsTs were accordant with the evaluation of the instructors, mentor teachers after the teaching practice in terms of teachers’ characteristics. They were at a high level in aspect of volunteer spirit and working well with others. 4) the problems and obstacles of the teaching practice of the PsTs were at a moderate level in every item, and 5) The PsTs’ satisfaction toward the teaching practice was at the highest level.