The relationship between reflective thinking tendencies and teacher self-efficacy of prospective teachers who study at the department of physical education and sports teaching

This study aims to determine the relationship between reflective thinking tendencies and teacher self-efficacy of prospective teachers who study at the department of physical education and sports teaching. In this context, it was aimed to reveal how reflective thinking tendencies and teacher self-efficacy of prospective physical education and sports teachers differ by their university, gender, bachelor's degree, education level of mother, education level of father, economic income, the place where they grew up, and the high school they graduated from. In line with this purpose, the study was conducted in the form of survey research. 840 prospective teachers who study at the departments of physical education and sports teaching in 13 provinces were included in the sample. "Reflective Thinking Tendency Scale of Teachers and Prospective Teachers" and "Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale" were used in the scope of the study. It was found that reflective thinking tendencies and teacher self-efficacy of prospective physical education and sports teachers are at a high level. There is a significant difference between reflective thinking tendencies and teacher self-efficacy of prospective physical education and sports teachers by their universities. Also, it was found that there is no difference between reflective thinking tendencies of prospective physical education and sports teachers but there is a significant difference between their teacher self-efficacy by the high schools they graduated from. In general, there is no significant difference in relation to the scales by gender and economic income levels of prospective physical education and sports teachers. It was found that a positive and almost moderate significant relationship exists between reflective thinking tendencies and teacher self-efficacy of prospective physical education and sports teachers.