An Investigation into the Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Primary School Teachers and Student-Teachers
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Darren Mac Gearailt, 'An Investigation into the Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Primary School Teachers and Student-Teachers', [Thesis], 2017-05Download Item:
Abstract:
This study was designed to investigate the relationship between student-teachers’ and teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs and how they perceive these beliefs are influenced by, or affect areas of their profession. Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy and Tschannen-Moran, Woolfolk-Hoy, and Hoy’s concept of teacher self-efficacy, provided the theoretical framework for exploring this relationship. This thesis utilised both quantitative and qualitative data collections methods, supporting a two-phase sequential multi-methods study. In order to examine this relationship between perceived levels of teacher self-efficacy, 45 teachers and 68 emergent-teachers working and studying in and around the greater Dublin region completed questionnaires and some of these went on to take part in a follow-up focus-group.
The findings indicated patterns of which teacher’s self-efficacy was perceived to be impacted upon by areas of teaching that lie generally beyond that of the subject areas of dispersing content knowledge. Although this pattern surfaced as a general topic across the two groups studied, the student-teachers’ efficacy concerns seemed to originate more from the subject areas of teaching. The main themes that did emerge regarding issues of perceived efficacy in areas of teaching included: inadequacies in teacher-training; Special Educational Needs (SENs); English as an Additional Language learners (EAL); behavioural management, Continuous Professional Development (CPD); dealing with parents; and prioritising subject areas of teaching over non-subject areas.
Other themes did emerge throughout the study, but they were not as concrete as the ones mentioned above which came out far and above the rest. Finally, this research also aimed at examining what the participants’ definitions of what makes a competent teacher was, which revealed a mixture of skills and knowledge, coupled with previous related experiences.
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Professional Masters in Education
Author: Mac Gearailt, Darren
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ThesisCollections
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