Investigating the Management of Practice Teaching Visits for 3rd Year Level Student Teachers by Limpopo University Supervisors: A Perspective of Student Teachers

Abstract

The study aims at investigating the perspective of student teachers on how Limpopo University supervisors manage practice teaching visits for 3rd year student teachers. The research question guiding the study is : to what extent is practice teaching visits for 3rd year student teachers taken seriously by both student teachers themselves and the University supervisors?. The research methods employed to emerge with data germane to the study were document analysis and an interviewing technique. Out of the population of 586 3rdyear student teachers, 41 were conveniently sampled. Three of the extra-ordinary findings which the research inquiry unearthed are that 3rd level year student teachers are immensely scared of practice teaching since it forces them to deliver lessons in the presence of supervisors. They also harbour an idea that practice teaching should be cancelled for the 3rd years until they do a final year. University supervisors lament an inadequate time allotted for practice teaching with huge numbers to supervise twice. As part of the conclusion, the researcher regards it to be advisable that further studies around this issue of practice teaching for the 3rd level year student teachers be undertaken. This is in acknowledgement and recognition of the enigma and its uniqueness. Commencing with intensive and extensive practice teaching at the 1st level of study could familiarise student teachers to it quite early.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p188