Examination of Turkish Language Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Perceptions of Teaching Thinking Skills in Terms of Various Variables

The aim of this study was to examine Turkish Language teachers’ self-efficacy perceptions of teaching thinking skills in terms of the variables of age, professional experience, educational status, and taking course on thinking skills. The screening model was used in the study. The current pandemic process was taken into account and the convenience sampling method was used while determining the study group. Turkish Language teachers forming the study group consisted of 109 females and 68 males. “Teachers’ Self-efficacy towards teaching thinking scale” was used as the data collection tool. The data of the study were analyzed using the statistical package program. In conclusion, no significant difference was found between the Turkish Language teachers’ self-efficacy perceptions of teaching thinking skills and gender. It was concluded that Turkish Language teachers’ self-efficacy perceptions of teaching thinking skills differed according to professional experience. It was concluded that there was no significant difference between Turkish Language teachers’ self-efficacy perceptions of teaching thinking skills and their educational status. It was concluded that there was a significant difference between Turkish Language teachers’ self-efficacy perceptions of teaching thinking skills and taking course on thinking skills.

“I’m just a TA”; From mixing paints to managing safeguarding and class teaching: An exploration of teaching assistant's perceptions and roles in school

This small-scale piece of research listened to the stories, experiences and perceptions of teaching assistants to hear their lived experiences of the role of teaching assistant. To hear how expectations have altered with/without legislative and framework guidance and consideration of the individuals who take up teaching assistant roles, in a climate where there is a succinct lack of legal requirement for any training or qualifications to be undertaken prior to or during the job role. The findings indicated that there appears to be an ethos within primary educational settings that teaching assistants can ‘do it all’ at ‘all times’, that there is a lack of clarity in role and responsibilities across the ‘unqualified staff’, and furthermore that they self-position as “Just a TA”.

A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Variability in Student Perceptions

Student perceptions using surveys are frequently used to measure student perceptions of teachers’ teaching quality in secondary and higher education. Research shows that the variance in student perceptions exists within a class and between countries. However, the influence of individual- and cultural-level factors on the variance of student perceptions is less well studied. More insights are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the variance in student perceptions in-depth. Insights into determinants of student perceptions of teaching quality could become valuable toward understanding school-related outcomes. A conceptual framework is put forward in this study to enhance our understanding of manifestations of student perceptions of teaching quality. It is suggested that value orientations at the individual- and cultural-level as well as social desirability may play a role in understanding student perceptions of teaching quality. Understanding students’ individual and collective perceptions of teaching quality can contribute to teachers’ sense-making of their student evaluations. It is argued that this understanding could contribute to enhancing the development of teaching quality and ultimately education quality.

Perceptions of Pre-service Teachers toward Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Bhutan

This study was carried out to investigate the perceptions of teaching and learning Mathematics by the pre-service Mathematics teachers in Bhutan. The research has employed quantitative methods. A five-point Likert scale survey questionnaire was administered to collect the data. The participants included both male and female pre-service Mathematics teachers from 2 colleges of education in Bhutan aged 18-29 (N = 261). In order to examine the perceptions of Mathematics, the mean interpretation developed by Roble and Bacabac (2016) was used and found that perceptions of pre-service teachers teaching and learning Mathematics were high indicating they enjoy teaching and learning Mathematics. The analysis also showed that there was no significant difference between male and female pre-service teachers perceptions toward teaching and learning Mathematics in Bhutan. Further, the findings also indicated there was no significant difference in perceptions of teaching and learning Mathematics between pre-service teachers at College A and College B. The College of Education might consider devoting additional attention to improving teaching practices in order to experience the real classroom scenario.