The perceptions of pre-service teachers about effective teaching and effective teachers

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the perceptions of pre-service teachers regarding effective teaching and effective teachers. The following research questions were addressed for this purpose: What are the dimensions of effective teaching? What are the characteristics of an effective teacher? The study is composed of two parts: a literature review, and empirical research. A questionnaire consisting of four open-ended questions was administered to 153 pre-service teachers. Some findings are briefly discussed, including the key fact that pre-service teachers believe that the pedagogical skills of professional teachers should take precedence over the improvement of their theoretical knowledge of their subject matter.