The Cooperating Teachers' and the University Supervisors' Understanding of Classroom Research Principles and the Supervision of Classroom Research for Pre-service Science Teachers

Abstract

     This research paper explored the cooperating teachers' and the university supervisors' understanding of Classroom Research Principles and the supervision of Classroom Research for pre-service science teachers. The subjects included twenty five cooperating teachers and eleven university supervisors in two Rajabhat Universities situated in western Thailand. The research instruments included a questionnaire about Classroom Research Principles and interviews regarding the supervision of Classroom Research for pre-service science teachers. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and content analysis. The results indicated that most of the cooperating teachers and university supervisors understood the principles of Classroom Research, but they did not adequately supervise the pre-service science teachers when they were conducting Classroom Research because they did not consider this to be their responsibility. Cooperating teachers thought that the university should have clarified the role of cooperating teachers when they supervised pre-service science teachers. This would have enhanced the ability of the pre-service science teachers to conduct classroom research. Cooperating teachers also felt that the university should train them to conduct Classroom Research utilizing the advice and support of university educators.