Pre-service teachers’ perceptions of practicum through reciprocal peer mentoring and traditional mentoring

Abstract

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Pre-service teachers’ perceptions of practicum through reciprocal peer mentoring and traditional mentoring
Practicum in pre-service teacher education offers ample opportunities for developing a practical conception of teaching and learning. Yet it may also promote further worry for pre-service teachers if not sufficiently resourced and carefully structured. The present study intended to delve into pre-service teachers’ perceptions of practicum undertaken through reciprocal peer mentoring and traditional mentoring trajectories. Designed as a quasi-experimental study, this longitudinal study collected mainly qualitative data through reflective journals, individual interviews and audio-records of peer conferences. The present study revealed a dire need for restructuring the traditional mentoring model currently used in pre-service teacher education programs. The study also unraveled that integration of reciprocal peer mentoring with systematic opportunities for peer conference and peer observation might be a viable suggestion to resolve the perceived shortcomings in practicum. Moreover, the study proposed that apart from an earlier onset of teaching practices, periodic rotations in teaching practices and mentor-mentee pairings might help to maximize contributions of engagement in practicum experiences.
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Author (Last name, First name)	Çapan, Seyit Ahmet
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Author (Last name, First name)	Bedir, Hasan
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Keywords

• Practicum; mentoring; traditional; peer; reciprocal

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