ERIC Number: EJ776680
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Oct
Pages: 14
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0033-3085
EISSN: N/A
Teachers' Beliefs about Pedagogy and Related Issues
Snider, Vicki E.; Roehl, Rebecca
Psychology in the Schools, v44 n8 p873-886 Oct 2007
This study explores teachers' beliefs about pedagogical issues as well as related educational and professional issues. Six hundred K-12 teachers in three Midwestern states received surveys and 60% returned them. Results of the survey indicated that teachers were relatively unified in their beliefs, and few differences emerged around demographic variables. More teachers believed in teaching practices consistent with constructivism than believed in explicit instruction; however the majority of teachers were mixed, undecided, or balanced about pedagogy. Teachers reserved their strongest beliefs for the importance of learning style, eclectic instruction, and small class size in the primary grades. Few teachers believed that a great teacher is characterized by high student achievement outcomes, and over half believed that factors such as home environment or dyslexia prevent children from learning basic skills despite the school's best efforts. Teachers valued experience over education and training for professional development and viewed teaching as more of an art than a science. Results are discussed in relationship to current challenges in education. (Contains 2 tables.) [This project was supported by the Office of University Research Faculty-Student Research Collaboration grant program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.]
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Teacher Attitudes, Beliefs, Teacher Surveys, Family Environment, Elementary Secondary Education, Cognitive Style, Constructivism (Learning), Class Size, Professional Development, Teaching Experience, Teacher Effectiveness
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A