Teaching Styles Used by Teacher Candidates Studying in Physical Education and Alternative Teacher Certification Programs

Abstract

In this study, the physical education and sport teacher candidates', studying in physical education teaching program and alternative teacher certification program, use of teaching styles and their value perceptions of teaching styles by teacher education program and gender were examined. Participants were 182 teacher candidates in an alternative teacher certification program and 187 teacher candidates in the physical education and sport teaching department. "Physical education Teachers' Use of Teaching Styles and Perceptions of Styles Questionnaire" was used as the data collection tool. The data were examined by descriptive statistics, MANOVA and Chi-square tests. Teacher-centered approaches were mostly used and mostly valued styles for both groups. Although the gender did not affect the use and value of styles perceptions, the teacher education program affected them. The examination of the participants' using preferences of teaching styles revealed that the participants in physical education department prefer to use all styles more except for "Command" and "Practice" styles comparing to the participants in the alternative teacher certificate. It is suggested that the instructors should focus on the implementations of special teaching methods and subsidize alternative teacher certification programs by field expert for professional development of physical education teacher and designate instructional programs efficiently.