Abstract:
This study sought to examine teacher educators‘ perceptions, self-efficacy, feeling of
preparedness and practices of differentiated instruction in teacher education colleges of Amhara
region. For this purpose, a mixed methods research approach with concurrent mixed methods
design was used. The study generated data from both primary and secondary sources. Out of the
ten Teacher Education Colleges (CTEs) of the Amhara Region, randomly selected six CTEs
(Gondar, Debre Markos, Enjibara, Finote Selam, Dessie, and Begemdir) were considered as
sample sites. From the sample CTEs, 400 teacher educators were selected using a stratified
sampling technique. As secondary sources, various documents such as course plans, and
assessment guides were employed. The main data gathering instruments were: questionnaire,
interview, observation, and document analysis. The data collected were analyzed quantitatively
using descriptive and inferential statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviations,
one sample t-test, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression) and
qualitatively using case-based thematic analysis, descriptions, and narrations. The findings
revealed that teacher educators in CTEs in the Amhara Region have a positive perception of
differentiated instruction (DI) to address learner diversity. They perceived that their students
differ greatly in their readiness, learning profile, educational background, and interest, and these
differences in students‘ characteristics have an impact on the contents they teach, the pedagogy
they employ, and the assessment techniques they use. On the other hand, teacher educators were
less efficacious in implementing DI. Most of them experienced a certain degree of fear and
uncertainty in their capacity to implement DI. Besides, teacher educators felt that they were
poorly prepared to differentiate instruction. Teacher educators‘ level of implementation of DI in
college classrooms was also low. However, there is a significant positive relationship between
teacher educators‘ perception of DI, their feeling of preparedness, and their self-efficacy beliefs
with DI practices, which in turn proved that teacher educators‘ perception, self-efficacy and
feeling of preparedness have a major influence and can predict their practice of differentiated
instruction in the college classrooms. The major barriers affecting the implementation of DI
were: insufficient time, rigidity in the school curriculum, high workloads, big class sizes, low
motivation and commitment among teacher educators, and inadequate knowledge and abilities in
DI. Thus, it is suggested that the Amhara regional education bureau and college officials should
organize training that will provide instructors with sufficient opportunities to learn how to
differentiate instruction, strengthen their DI self-efficacy, and help them feel well-prepared for
differentiation.