The objectives of this study were to analyze elementary school teacher′s practical knowledge derived from observing the process of consultation on teaching practice and examining documentary materials on class evaluation and to extract practical cri...
The objectives of this study were to analyze elementary school teacher′s practical knowledge derived from observing the process of consultation on teaching practice and examining documentary materials on class evaluation and to extract practical criteria for class evaluation. In addition, this study examined differences in teaching evaluation criteria according to evaluation situation and determined whether the set class evaluation criteria are usable as practical materials for evaluating and measuring classes. For these purposes, we set research questions as follows.
First, what are practical criteria for evaluating elementary school teacher′s teaching analyzed in observation and documentary materials?
Second, what differences are there among practical class evaluation criteria?
Third, how utilizable are the teaching evaluation criteria suggested as the outcome of this study?
In order to answer these questions, we sampled 4 teacher′s teaching the same grade and satisfying the inclusion criteria, and selected documentary materials related to class evaluation. Data were analyzed through qualitative analysis and inductive category analysis, and the reliability and validity of data were enhanced through member check, peer debriefing, and triangulation. Conclusions drawn from this study are as follows.
First, in the results of observing and analyzing the process of consultation on teaching practice, a total of 20 practical teaching evaluation criteria were found in teachers’ practical knowledge.
Second, in the results of minutes analysis after autonomous supervision classes in 2011, 18 teaching evaluation criteria were extracted. Limited consulting time after class, superficial discussion among teachers, avoidance of redundant advice, uncomfortable evaluation atmosphere, avoidance of direct advice on class, difference in experience among teachers, etc. were analyzed as the causes.
Third, the results of analyzing class observation checklists in 2010 were different from the results of minutes analysis after class in 2011. Ambiguous and unspecific class evaluation forms hindered teacher′s natural expression of practical knowledge and consequently impeded the development of such practical knowledge into field education theories sharable among teachers.
Fourth, from teaching practice minutes in 2010, 16 teaching evaluation criteria were identified. Teacher′s considered learning activities, learning instruments, and class media to be most important in class analysis, and the evaluation of preservice teacher′s classes focused on technical aspects.
Fifth, when the analysis elements of class evaluation criteria extracted by evaluation situation were converted into percentile (%), class evaluation criteria extracted from practical knowledge showed similar percentages among teachers.
Sixth, when the results of teaching evaluation criteria by evaluation situation were diagramed in broken line graph, similar patterns were observed although their evaluation situations were different.
Teacher′s main activity is teaching, and teacher′s professionalism means their abilities to teach well. Efficient teachers should make continuous efforts to improve the quality of their classes even in unpredictable classroom situations, and rather than working as a mere deliverer of curriculum, they should intervene actively in educational activities based on their practical knowledge. In order to analyze and evaluate a teacher′s classes objectively, his/her teaching behavior should be observed and analyzed on his/her practical knowledge, which becomes the cause of teaching behavior. Although teachers’ practical knowledge is an important variable for efficient classes, however, it has not been theorized as a field education theory. In this sense, using the results of this study as ground materials, it is necessary to make diverse attempts and studies on practical teaching analysis and evaluation based on teacher′s practical knowledge.