Abstract:
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine teacher-educators’ instructional beliefs and practice
and its influence on student-teachers’ future teaching approach preference. To this end, a
concurrent mixed research design was employed. More specifically pre-experimental one group
pretest posttest design was employed in order to examine student-teachers’ entry behaviors and
changes, if any, at the end of the program. Descriptive Survey method was also used to examine
teacher-educators’ beliefs about teaching and learning and their classroom practice. Data were
collected using different questionnaires (i.e. Approaches to Teaching Inventory (ATI),
Conception of Teaching and Learning Questionnaire (CTLQ), and Revised Two-factor Study
Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F), interview, and classroom observation. Whereas two public
universities were selected using convenient sampling, 350 student-teachers in Post-Graduate
Diploma in Teaching (PGDT) program in the 2016/2017 academic year were selected using
stratified and simple random sampling. Thirty-three teacher-educators offering courses in the
PGDT program were also participated in the study. The data from the interview and classroom
observation were analysed using qualitative content analysis techniques. The data from the
questionnaire were analysed using means, Pearson correlation coefficient, independent and
paired samples t-tests, and structural equation modeling. The quantitative data revealed that
teacher-educators’ beliefs and practice found to be compatable with the reform initiatives.
Though they demonstrated strong commitments to constructivism in the interview and selfreported
questionnaire, their actual teaching practice reflected a strong reliance over teachercentered
approach. Regarding student-teachers, the results indicated that they have joined the
PGDT program with behaviorist orientation. Significant relationships were also found between
likewise conceptions and teaching approach preference. The posttest results also indicated that
student-teachers’ entry characteristics remained unchanged. The predominantly teachercentered
approach observed in the PGDT classrooms has influenced the student-teachers to
retain their entry characteristics. Based on these findings, it was concluded that teachereducators
have absorbed, rather than being reformed, elements of constructivism and continue
echoing the old adage “do as I say, not as I do” principle which has been proved to bring about
“no change” on student-teachers’ teaching approach preferences. Based on the conclusion
made, implications are discussed.