Navigating the Learning Curve : Trainees’ Perspectives on Their Practicum Experiences

Résumé

This study investigated the overall practicum experience of 197 teacher trainees in a school-based teacher training program and their professional development into being future teachers. In particular, the research examined, through a qualitative analysis of questionnairecollected trainee feedback, the key elements of the practicum that influenced their learning to teach and those elements that had less impact. The study also explored the main challenges and problems teacher trainees faced during the practicum and how effectively the experience had prepared them to meet the demands of teaching. The findings revealed that feedback was both the most impactful aspect of the practicum when balanced and constructive and the least impactful when judgmental and overly negative. Time management and classroom management were found to be the top two issues that persisted with trainees till the end of the practicum. Teacher trainees recommended that teacher training programs need to extend and prioritize practice over theory instruction for effective teacher preparation.