An Assessment of the Learning Environment and Teacher Interpersonal Behaviour at the Teacher Education Level

Abstract

AbstractThe Indian teacher education scenario has undergone numerous changes in the last few years especially with the shift to the two-year teacher preparation programmes. As a result of this change, both the teacher educators and the student teachers had to adapt to the modified curriculum, teaching methodologies and assessment process. This paper focuses on assessing student teachers’ perceptions about their classroom learning environments and teacher interpersonal behaviour. The study utilises the modified version of the What Is Happening In This Classroom (WIHIC) questionnaire and the Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction (QTI). The data was collected from 150 student teachers from a teacher education college studying in the third and fourth semester of the two-year B.Ed./B.Ed. Special Education programme. The results show that student teachers positively perceived their classroom learning environments. They expressed a lot of student cohesiveness, teacher support for the students, task orientation and involvement of students in the classroom activities. Students perceived an environment that promotes innovation, equity and a high level of cooperation. Results for teacher interpersonal behaviour show that student teachers perceived their teacher educators as good leaders who understand their needs. They are helpful and friendly and provided ample opportunities for students to express themselves freely. They also give responsibility to accomplish different tasks. The negative aspects of teacher interpersonal behaviour like uncertainty, admonishing and dissatisfied behaviour were given a low rating by the student teachers. They, however, felt that the teacher educators were strict in the class. Data analysis reveals that no significant associations exist between academic achievement and classroom learning environments and teacher interpersonal behaviour. Results also show that there were no significant gender differences in the learning environments. However, there were significant gender differences in the teacher interpersonal behaviour in favour of female student teachers. Also, no semester and programme based differences in the classroom learning environments and teacher interpersonal behaviour exist at the teacher education level.