Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the implementation of constructivists’ principles in teacher preparation in colleges and to establish whether the constructivist approaches were being used to teach students. Methodology: This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of tutors and students in light of constructivists informed teaching. It involved 3 PTCs and 15 participants who were purposively sampled. The methodology for this study was qualitative with a phenomenological research design where data was gathered using in-depth multiple interviews and observation. The data collection and analysis followed Moustakas (1994) procedure. Findings: Data analysis and results revealed that tutor‘s continue to rely on traditional approaches in both instruction and supervision of school practice. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This research study adds to the body of knowledge about ways in which constructivists’ informed teaching supports teaching effectiveness and promotes students’ learning amplifying the need for reflective practice in instruction. The study recommends establishing and setting up Reflective Practice Laboratories in PTCs for tutors and students induction on several constructivists’ practices that include reflection, clinical supervision, use and integration of ICT and other interventions in a proper and professional setting.
Purpose: This study explored the perceptions and experiences of student teachers on mentoring practices and competence development at Makerere University in Uganda. Methodology: Basing on the three mentoring models of mentoring developed by Twoli (2011) as the analytical lens, this study explored the mentoring practices currently existing at Makerere University, the model of mentoring the University is aligned to and how it develops Student teachers’ competences. The three mentoring models are the corporate model (traditional model), the more improved collaborative model and the emerging model of mentoring practices. Phenomenology was adopted as a qualitative research design anchored in the constructivist interpretivist paradigm. Data was collected using unstructured interviews from purposively selected twelve finalist student teachers and triangulated with review of documents and literature to cross validate the findings. Data was analyzed using the framework analysis. Findings: Makerere University is still tagged in the corporate/ traditional model of mentoring student teachers basing on the way they organize, supervise and moderate their student teachers on practicum. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Ministry of Education and Sports (MOE&S) in Uganda through the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) should include mentorship programmes as a formalized minimum standard in teacher education institutions. Universities and other teacher preparation institutions should introduce mentorship programmes for university staff and schools. The study also recommended that lecturers and senior teachers should be sensitized about the effects of relying on the traditional/corporate mentoring model through professional development courses.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the ICT and reflective practice integration in teacher preparation at Primary Teachers Colleges and to establish whether these practices were among the constructivist approaches being used to teach students. Methodology: This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of tutors and students in light of constructivists’ teaching. It involved 3 PTCs and 15 participants who were purposively sampled. This study used a qualitative research design. Data was gathered using in-depth multiple interviews and analyzed following Moustakas (1994) procedure. Findings: Data analysis and results revealed that tutor‘s continue to rely on traditional approaches in both instruction and supervision of school practice. The colleges are in a nascent stage in the integration of ICT and reflective practice in education being accustomed to traditional instructional practices and lack of motivation and knowledge among tutors to adopt ICT in teaching. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This research study adds to the body of knowledge suggesting ways in which constructivists’ teaching supports teaching effectiveness and promotes students’ learning amplifying the need for ICT and reflective practice integration in instruction. The study recommends establishing and setting up Reflective Practice Laboratories in Primary Teachers Colleges for tutors and students induction on several constructivists’ practices that include systematic reflection, clinical supervision, use and integration of ICT and other interventions in a proper and professional setting
Purpose: The study was carried out to explore the student teachers’ perceptions and experiences on school practice in terms of competence development. Methodology: Phenomenology as a design was adopted using unstructured interviews and documents review to collect data from twelve purposively selected third year student teachers as participants. Data was analyzed using the framework analysis. Findings: School practice was clearly understood by participants as a learning experience that involves putting theory into practice with the help from supervisors and senior teachers. However, it was conducted along the curriculum requirements as an assessment/examination by the university supervisors. Consequently, some challenges were faced. These included, difficulties in applying all the various methods taught by different lecturers, lack of professionalism, little feedback/conferencing with supervisors, hurried reports, limited mentorship and supervisory aspects in school practice host schools and limited materials to use among others. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The teacher preparation institutions in Uganda Makerere inclusive need to improve the general methods course to all students to cater for issues in lesson preparation, presentation, classroom management, assessment and evaluation. An interdependent relationship between the University and the SP host schools is required to promote a working relationship between the supervisors and host teachers for mentoring and supervisory aspects to student teachers. Makerere University and other teacher preparation institutions need constant professional development courses to promote professionalism among supervisors to address issues like lack of feedback/conferencing and poor supervisor-student relationships among others.
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