American Journal of Social Sciences 2014; 2(6): 120-125 Published online November 20, 2014 (http://www.openscienceonline.com/journal/ajss) Attitude of prospective teachers towards teaching profession Aniruddha Chakraborty1, Bhim Chandra Mondal2 1 2 Department of Education, Union Christian Training College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, WB, India Department of Education, Sponsored Teachers’ Training College, Purulia, WB, India Email address: [email protected] (A. Chakraborty), [email protected] (B. C. Mondal) To cite this article Aniruddha Chakraborty, Bhim Chandra Mondal. Attitude of Prospective Teachers towards Teaching Profession. American Journal of Social Sciences. Vol. 2, No. 6, 2014, pp. 120-125. Abstract Professional attitude is the feelings of an individual, behaviors and commitment to the profession. If the teacher is committed and has positive attitude then it is sure that his performance will be better and his effort will be fruitful. In this article we have measured the professional attitude of prospective teachers in relation to their gender, category, religion, locale, subject stream and academic qualification. The attitude scale for teaching was constructed and standardized by the Investigators following the standard procedure. The results shows that prospective teachers’ attitude towards teaching profession did not different significantly with the variables like gender, religion, category, locale and stream of study. However, significant difference occurs in case of academic qualification. Keywords Teaching Profession, Attitude, Prospective Teacher, Gender, Locale, Academic Qualification 1. Introduction Education means a practice, formal or informal which helps to develop the potentialities of human being including their knowledge, capabilities, behavioral patterns and values. In this context the teachers have more responsibilities in shaping and building the character especially mental characters of students. Development of a nation always relies on knowledge acquired through education and its practical Implications. Considering any effective education system or educator, effective instructional strategies with identity and high potentials in which the contents were delivered are the main pillars of quality education system. Teachers are the persons who could develop and mould the learners as good citizens. They should develop higher attitude towards the teaching profession, do extremely well in their academic performance and enhance lifelong skills to face in future. The term “Attitude” has been defined in a number of ways by the psychologists. Attitude is a mental characteristic. The simplest definition is that, it is a feeling for or against something [1]. According to Britt (1958, it is a mental set of response [2]. Fishbein (1967) defines it as a mental disposition of the human individual to act for or against a definite object [3]. Allport (1935, p.34) defines it as a mental and neural state of readiness, organized through experience, exerting a directive or dynamic influence upon the individual’s response to all objects and situations with which it is related [4]. Thurstone (1946) has defined attitude as the degree of positive or negative affect associated with some psychological object [5]. Professional attitude means a person’s feelings, behaviors and commitment to the profession. If the teacher is committed and has positive attitude then it is sure that his performance will be better and his effort will be fruitful. Richarson (2003) narrated that Education is a nation building activity [6]. The quality of education depends upon ability and efficiency of teachers. If the teachers are well trained, motivated and committed with their profession learning will be enhanced. 2. Review of Literature Lawal (2012) revealed that there is a significant difference in the way parents, teachers and students perceive the teaching profession. Parents perceive the teaching profession American Journal of Social Sciences 2014; 2(6): 120-125 negatively while teachers and students perceive the teaching profession positively [7]. Akblut and Karakus (2011) determined how pedagogical content courses taken during teacher education programme affect the pre-service teacher’s attitudes toward teaching profession, the findings revealed that pre-service teacher’s attitude toward teaching profession were positive [8]. Oruc (2011) in his study on the perception of teaching as a profession by trainee teachers of a state University Faculty of Education revealed that these students have clear positive attitudes for their future profession [9]. Akkaya (2009) stated that gender factors affect the pre-service teacher’s attitude towards teaching profession. It was revealed that female pre-service teachers who are in Turkish Education Department are more successful than male pre-service teachers with respect to their attitudes and academic success [10]. Temizkan (2008) opined that the teachers’ attitudes towards their profession are usually related with their enjoying profession, dedicating themselves to their profession, being aware that their profession is socially necessary and important, and believing that they need to improve their profession, and so, themselves, continuously. Learning experiences of prospective teachers should be organized in a way that they will establish positive attitudes towards the profession of teaching [11]. Çapri and Çelikkaleli (2008) investigated the attitudes of 250 pre-service teachers studying at Mersin University, Faculty of Education toward teaching profession in terms of the variables of gender, program and faculty of study. It was determined as a result of the study that, the attitudes of pre-service teachers were significantly affected from gender, in other words females were found to have more positive attitudes [12]. Suja (2007) in a study found that attitude towards teaching, interest in teaching, and teaching experience have significant main effect on job commitment of teachers [13]. Lasek and Wiesenbergova (2007) performed a Questionnaire of Attitudes toward Teaching Profession to 136 3rd year pre-service teachers in order to determine their attitudes toward teaching profession in terms of several variables. Pre-service teachers whose parents are teachers and female pre-service teachers were found to have more positive attitudes than the others [14]. Gürbüz and Kışoğlu (2007) investigated the attitudes of 117 senior pre-service teachers and 103 faculty of science and arts graduates enrolled in the masters’ without thesis program at Atatürk University, Kazım Karabekir Faculty of Education toward teaching profession in terms of several variables. It was determined in this study that, the attitudes of pre-service teachers showed a statistically significant difference in terms of gender variable favoring females [15]. Bozagan, Aydin and Yildrim (2007) revealed that the pre-service teacher’s attitude towards teaching profession changes according to the gender and type of programme they graduated from [16]. Osunde and Izevbigie (2006) investigated 400 secondary school teacher’s attitude toward the teaching profession revealed that because of financial remuneration and delay in payment of salaries, teachers have negative attitude towards the teaching profession. They found that poor conditions of service; wider 121 negative influence and teacher’s negative personal and professional behavior are the factors of the teacher’s negative attitudes towards the teaching profession [17]. Kaya and Büyükkasap (2005) investigated the attitudes and concerns of 36 senior pre-service teachers - studying at Physics Education Department of Kazım Karabekir Faculty of Education in Atatürk University - regarding teaching profession in terms of several variables. From the study it is found that females were found to have more positive attitudes toward the profession than males, viewed it as an ideal profession and they had more ambition to be a teacher [18]. Devi (2005) in a study, found that moderate and highly significant correlation exists between success in teaching and the predictor variables like, role conflict, attitude towards teaching profession and job satisfaction [19]. Oral (2004) indicated some significant differences among the attitudes of the students who enrolled in the Faculty of education while considering the profession of teaching according to gender, the order of the programme they attend in the preference list, and the reason for choosing the profession of teaching [20]. Celikoz and Cetin (2004) opined that if prospective teachers develop a positive attitude towards their profession, they will develop creative thinking, motivate their students more easily, and adapt their verbal and non verbal messages to their students. As a result, the prospective teachers‟ attitude which is shaped in the teacher education programmes should be arranged in order to obtain a positive attitude for teaching profession [21]. Çeliköz and Çetin (2004) [21] determined that all education level of the parents, academic performance, the number or sisters / brothers and monthly income variables led to a significant change in the attitudes of these students toward teaching profession. Oral (2004) [20] determined that although a statistically significant difference was found favoring females and those who had preferred teaching profession in the top five, no statistically significant difference was found in terms of years of study. According to Callahan (1980) [22] and Richardson (2003) [6] attention to attitudes has become a growing concern in teacher education. Hosgorur, Kilic and Dundar (2002) found a positive relation between class levels and attitude, when class levels and attitude increases, pre-service teacher’s attitudes towards the teaching profession hike [23]. Erdem and Anılan (2000) determined that although a statistically significant difference was found favouring those who had preferred teaching profession in the top five, and no statistically significant difference was found in terms of gender and year of study [24]. Capa and Cil (2000) revealed that gender is not effective on the pre-service teacher’s attitude towards teaching profession, but in the sub-dimension of loving the profession and respect for the profession, females have a more positive attitude than males. They also determined that the difference between the attitudes of 2nd and 4th year students toward teaching profession was not significant but a significant difference was found between the attitudes of 2nd and 3rd year students [25]. Cornelious (2000) investigated the factors affecting teacher competence of teacher trainees at the 122 Aniruddha Chakraborty and Bhim Chandra Mondal: Attitude of Prospective Teachers towards Teaching Profession secondary level, revealed that intelligence, attitude towards teaching profession, and academic achievement of teacher trainees are the discriminating factors of the different groups of subjects [26]. Tanrıöğen (1997) investigated that there’re statistically significant differences favoring the females in terms of gender variable and favoring those who had preferred teaching profession among the top five in terms of the results of University Entrance Examination (UEE) [27]. Sözer (1996) determined that, the attitudes of pre-service teachers did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in terms of their secondary school Grade Point Average (GPA) and the types of high schools they’ve graduated from [28]. Austin (1979) found that attitude of student teachers can be improved by student teaching experience provided that they are not pre-tested concerning their attitudes [29]. 3. Construction of Professional Attitude Scale for Prospective Teachers 3.1. Tool Development 3.1.1. Item Development After reviewing many related studies done in the field of Attitude towards teaching profession both in India and in other countries, the following five dimensions were identified viz. academic excellence, administrative interest, socio psychological aspect, co-scholastic aspect and financial prosperity. Attitude towards teaching profession denotes the positive or negative feeling or outlook associated towards teaching. Hence the statements to measure this dimension were constructed in terms of the above mentioned areas, whether it is positive or negative. 3.1.2. Dimensions Academic Excellence: This domain indicates the academic aspects including Excellence’s by the formulating of statements. These statements are related to the academic aspects of teaching profession. Administrative interest: This domain includes statement with the interest and involvement towards administrative works in the school. Though teaching is a profession, so teachers have a lot of consignment towards administrative part of the institution. Socio-psychological aspect: This domain consists with the statement relate to the inclination of teachers as regards to the social status of teaching profession, the self-esteem enhancement, and its influence on shaping the behavioural changes of next age group. Co-scholastic aspect: Co-scholastic area is an integral part of teaching learning process. In this domain teacher’s inclination relates to co-scholastic activities are incorporated. It relates to the outlook of teacher’s role and function in the area of co-scholastic activities and their importance as an integral part of teaching profession. Financial aspect: To ensure the professional nature, financial benefit like salary and other incentives are important part of teaching profession. So some statements are framing to judge the temperament of prospective teachers towards financial beneficiary in this area. 3.1.3. Tool Description A large number of statements pertaining to the above dimensions were collected from experts and were supplemented with statements taken from relevant literature. After a careful scrutiny of the statements by experts, 90 statements were selected for the study related to attitudes towards teaching profession of prospective teachers. Based on the judges’ comments on the items’ content and face validity, relevance and clarity, 80 items were retained. 3.1.4. Scoring The scale was constructed by making use of Likert’s methods of summation to get a five point judgement on each item. Against each statement, five alternative responses, namely, “Strongly Agree” (SA), “Agree” (A), “Undecided” (U), “Disagree” (D) and “Strongly Disagree” (SD) were given. Weights of 5,4,3,2 and 1 were given for favourable statements and the scoring system is reversed for unfavourable statements. A schedule was added in the beginning of the questionnaire in order to get information about sex, category, qualification, residential background, category etc. 3.1.5. Pilot Study After constructing the Professional Attitude Scale for Prospective Teacher, on the Likert’s method, a pilot test was conducted on a random sample of 26 Teachers’ Training Institutions with prospective teachers in Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda and Purulia districts, West Bengal. 3.1.5.1. Item Analysis The ‘t’ value for evaluating the responses of the high and low groups to the individual statements was found out. Items with ‘t’ values less than 1.75 were rejected. The items were then arranged in the rank order according to their ‘t’ values. As many as 75 statements having the ‘t’ value equal to or greater than 1.75 were chosen in order to form the final scale [30]. 3.1.5.2. Validity Due weightage was given to all the dimensions while selecting items. The scale contains 75 statements which represent the universe of content. Hence, it has content validity. It has also construct validity as items were selected having the ‘t’ values equal to or more than 1.75 [30]. 3.1.5.3. Reliability The reliability of the split half test is found 0.767 by the use of Spearman – Brown prophecy formula. Cronbach α of the scale was found 0.792. 3.1.5.4. Norms of the Scale In order to determine the norm of the scale the final form of the scale was administered on 1200 prospective teachers. American Journal of Social Sciences 2014; 2(6): 120-125 123 H02: There is no significant differences between rural and urban resident prospective teachers attitude towards teaching profession. H03: There is no significant differences of attitude towards teaching profession among prospective student teachers with general and reserved category. H04: There is no significant differences of attitude towards teaching profession among prospective student minority and nonminority religious status. H05: There is no significant differences of attitude towards teaching profession among prospective student teachers having Post Graduate and Graduate academic qualification H06: There is no significant differences between academic stream of science and humanities prospective teachers attitude towards teaching profession. The norms are determined as follow: score with higher than 300 denotes as high attitude, score between 260 to 300 denotes as average attitude and score with below 260 denotes as low attitude towards teaching profession of prospective teachers. 4. Methodology 4.1. Research Design and Type of Study The purpose of this study is to investigate prospective teachers’ attitude towards teaching profession with respect to sex, category, religion, residential demography, subject stream and educational qualification. The quantitative approach was the most appropriate design for this investigation. The study employed a survey design. 4.2. Population There were 1032 prospective teachers who are continuing their teacher education programme on 2013-14 academic session. Out of total population 682 were male and rest of the female. 4.3. Methods of Data Analysis A self developed tool namely PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE SCALE FOR PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS administered to the prospective teachers. The detail of tool construction is already discussed earlier section. Statistical technique (SPSS) was used to determine whether a significant difference existed in the attitude of the prospective teachers in respect to sex, category, religion, residential demography, subject stream and educational qualification. 5. Objectives The objective of the study is as follows: To develop and standardized Attitude scale towards teaching profession. To compare attitude towards teaching among male and female prospective teachers. To compare attitude towards general and reserved category prospective teachers. To compare attitude towards teaching among minority and non-minority prospective teachers. To compare attitude towards teaching among rural and urban prospective teachers. To compare attitude towards teaching among Science and Humanities prospective teachers. To compare attitude towards teaching of prospective teachers in respect to their academic background. 6. Hypotheses The researcher formulated the following null hypotheses. H01: There is no significant differences of attitude towards teaching profession among male and female prospective teachers. 7. Results and Discussion In the present study all mean, standard deviation and “t” values are measured with the help of SPSS. These values are shown in tabular form in Table 1. From the Table 1 it is found that out of six “t” values one is significant at 0.01 level and “t” values for others are non significant either at 0.01 or 0.05 level. If prospective teachers are categorized with their academic qualification it is noticed there is a significant difference between post graduate and graduate prospective teachers’ attitude towards teaching profession. The mean value of post graduate prospective teachers is higher than that of graduate prospective teachers. So prospective teachers with post graduate degree have higher attitude towards teaching profession than that of prospective teachers with graduate degree. Otherwise no significant differences found for prospective teachers in relation to their sex, category, religion, demographic location and subject stream. Table 1. Mean, SD and t values of Variables Variable(s) Sex Category Religion Demography Subject Stream Academic Qualification SubGroup Male Female General Reserved Minority Non-Minority Rural Urban Arts Science Graduate Post-Graduate Mean 271.39 269.97 277.33 287.33 268.1 270.09 270.61 277.65 271.56 320 261.94 273.33 SD 26.75 23.74 28.17 16.99 26.76 24.4 24.73 26.73 25.62 23.64 26.71 23.92 t 0.25* 1.26* 0.04* 0.34* 1.27* 2.76** *Not significant, ** significant. The null hypothesis H01 is retained i.e., there is no significant difference between attitude of male and female prospective teachers towards teaching profession. Attitude towards teaching profession of male and female prospective teachers are equal. So no sex factor is found for prospective teacher’s attitude towards teaching 124 Aniruddha Chakraborty and Bhim Chandra Mondal: Attitude of Prospective Teachers towards Teaching Profession profession. The results corroborate with the findings of Capa and Cil [25] but not support with the findings of Akkaya [10] and Bozagan, Aydin and Yildrim [16] who revealed that female prospective teachers are more successful than male prospective teachers with respect to their attitude towards the teaching profession.. The result of second hypothesis shows that there is no significant difference found. So general and reserved category prospective teachers have equal attitude towards teaching profession. So the null hypothesis H02 is accepted. Statement of third null hypothesis also shows that attitude of prospective teachers from minority and nonminority religion area towards teaching profession is equal. All prospective teachers are developed their mind towards teaching profession equally. So the null hypothesis H03 is accepted. Similarly no difference in attitude towards teaching profession is found in case demographic differences of prospective teachers. Rural and urban residence prospective teachers have identical attitude towards teaching profession. So the null hypothesis H04 is accepted. When prospective teachers are categorized in respect to their subject stream viz. arts and science no significant difference of attitude is found from the present study. All the prospective teachers belong to different subject stream area have identical attitude towards teaching profession. So the null hypothesis H05 is accepted. In case of hypothesis H06 the result shown that there is significant difference exist between prospective teachers in relation to their academic qualification. Post graduate qualified prospective teachers have higher attitude than that of graduate. This study is supported by the studies of Hosgorur, Kilic and Dundar [23] that found a positive relationship between the academic qualification and attitude when academic qualification increases, prospective teachers’ attitude towards teaching profession rises. Henceforth the null hypothesis H06 is rejected. 8. Conclusion A very significant area explored in the present study was professional attitude of prospective teachers, where it was found that majority of prospective teachers displayed lack of higher attitude towards their teaching profession. Only 8.5% prospective teachers’ score confined higher attitude towards teaching profession. 66.5% prospective teachers’ score were put down between the average attitude towards teaching profession and shockingly 25% prospective teachers’ score displayed lower attitude towards teaching profession. Healthy attitude of teachers towards their profession is a pre-requisite for a healthy school system. If teachers will lose belief in their profession and its contribution in making of the mankind and causing steps forward in the society; if the admiration of the ‘noblest of all’ profession is not acknowledged and respected by the teachers, then their job satisfaction level will go down and the high position of teaching community will also be lesser. In order to be successful in teaching profession, one needs to love the profession and performs it willingly. The training to which the prospective teachers were exposed aimed at improving their competencies in teaching. The rise in the prospective teachers’ competency level contributed to a rise in their attitudes towards teaching. Accordingly, the more competent the prospective teacher is, the higher attitude s/he establishes towards the teaching profession. Moreover, still the attitudes of prospective teachers, whether post graduate or graduate, can be affected by other factors such as experience, training, skill development. 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