Preschool teachers' self efficacy beliefs and implementations regarding out-of school learning activities

The purpose of this research is to investigate pre-school teachers' self-efficacy beliefs on out of school activities and learning practices. The research has utilized exploratory mixed pattern method using both qualitative and quantitative patterns. The quantitative data of the research has been collected through "Pre-school Teacher Personal Inquiry Questionnaire" and "Out of School Learning Activities Teachers Self Efficacy Belief Scale". Accordingly, 241 pre-school teachers that are employed by private and public schools under MEB in six central provinces of Ankara (Çankaya, Etimesgut, Gölbaşı, Yenimahalle, Altındağ and Keçiören) has been selected. The sample was researched covering four main factors: 1) Preparation Self Efficacy 2) Application and Assessment Self Efficacy 3) Teaching Support Self Efficacy 4) Knowledge and Experience Self Efficacy. The research investigated the relationship between pre-school teachers score on self-efficacy beliefs on out of school learning activities and variables such as, teachers' educational status, age, year of professional experience, type of institution they work for and training teachers received on out of school learning activities. As for the qualitative dimension of the research, 15 of teachers who have taken part in the questionnaire part of research volunteered and they have been applied the "Out-Of-School Learning Practices Semi Structured Interview Form". The interviews have comprehensively revealed teachers practices and attitudes on out of school learning. Analysis of the findings have shown that there is a meaningful relationship between pre-school teachers score on self-efficacy beliefs and training they received on out of school learning activities. Teachers who have positively approached out of school learning activities, have voiced their difficulties on planning and applying those activities and shared their recommendations on increasing the quality and frequency of out of school activities.