Metrics
70 File views/ downloads
151 Record Views
Dissertation
Effect of Critical Thinking Skills Instruction on Preservice Teachers' Self-Efficacy Levels
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2022
Abstract
Most schools in the United States report annual teacher shortages. Without teacher instruction, the stability of education and students' future is in jeopardy. Low self-efficacy is one possible cause of the teacher shortage. Preservice teachers report low self-efficacy during field experience in teacher preparation programs. This quantitative quasi-experimental study investigated the effect of critical thinking instruction on preservice teachers' self-efficacy. The study was conducted at a Southeastern United States university with consenting adults enrolled in the next-to-last semester of a teacher preparation program. Bandura's self-efficacy theory provided a theoretical framework, specifically the constructs of vicarious and mastery experiences. A sample of 43 preservice teachers completed the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale-Long Form assessment instrument. One-way ANOVA data analysis showed a statistically significant difference between treatment and nontreatment groups' posttest, F(1, 41) = 7.52, p = .009. Two of the three subfactors of the instrument were statistically significant: classroom management, F(1, 41) = 7.30, p = .01, and instructional strategies, F(1, 41) = 7.74, p = .008. The results indicate teacher preparation coursework focused on critical thinking instruction, classroom management, and instructional strategies may improve preservice teachers' self-efficacy. The study's implications include establishing a policy to monitor critical thinking in teacher preparation programs, adding to literature to support the connection between critical thinking and self-efficacy, and including more training in critical thinking and self-efficacy in professional practice. Future research may replicate the study at other universities to determine the effect of critical thinking skills instruction on preservice teachers' self-efficacy.
Details
- Title
- Effect of Critical Thinking Skills Instruction on Preservice Teachers' Self-Efficacy Levels
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Contributors
- Carla J Thompson (Committee Chair)Patricia Wentz (Committee Member)Joseph P Gaston (Committee Member)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 261
- Copyright
- Unpublished work © Kelly Elizabeth McDougal Lomax
- Identifiers
- 99380092596706600
- Academic Unit
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Doctor of Education (EDD)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida