Connection Between the Theory and Practice in Pre-service Teacher Education Programs in Turkey

• Main Author: Gülsen ÜNVER
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bülent Ecevit University 2016-05-01
• Series: Yükseköğretim ve Bilim Dergisi
• Subjects: Pre-service education; Teacher education; Connecting theory and practice; Teacher education policies; Field experiences
• Online Access: http://higheredu-sci.beun.edu.tr/pdf.php3?id=1695

Research reveals that there are severe problems on connecting theory and practice in pre-service teacher education programs in Turkey. This descriptive study was limited by examining the decisions and applications related to connecting theory and practice in pre-service teacher education since 1998. Results are organized by concerning the factors like durations and semesters of field experiences, efficiencies of the stakeholders of teacher education programs. In conclusion connecting theoy and practice in pre-service teacher education is considered important in Turkey. However the policies on this issue in Turkey can be criticized; and the stakeholders of teacher education programs are not efficiacy on connecting theory and practice. And the study presents recommendations for enhancing connecting theory and practice in pre-service teacher education as follows: University-School Cooperation Protocol should include methods courses, directors of universities and practice schools should promote other stakeholders for connecting theory and practice, faculties should indigenize connecting theory and practice in teacher education and, cooperating teachers should be good models for teacher candidates in terms of connecting theory and practice.