The values predicting teacher candidates' attitudes towards teaching profession: Mehmet Aki̇f Ersoy University research

The aim of this study is to demonstrate if the values of teacher candidates can be predicted from their attitudes toward teaching profession (ATTP), if these values differ between the teacher candidates who study in different departments, if the values predicting teacher candidates' attitudes toward teaching profession have been earned by the end of the undergraduate education and if these values differ between genders or in which ways they differ. In this research, survey design was used, and necessary data were obtained by Portrait Value Questionnaire (PVQ) and Attitude toward Teaching Profession (ATTP) Questionnaire. The statistical population was 404 1st and 4th grade of students studying in the departments of Classroom Teaching, Preschool Teaching, Physical Education and Sports Teaching, Primary School Mathematics Teaching and Science Teaching in Mehmet Akif Ersoy University. The collected data were analyzed in the programs of SPSS and Lisrel. The research results showed that teacher candidates' values of 'openness to change' and 'conservation' can predict their ATTP. Besides, it was detected that teacher candidates' top value preference is 'universalism' and the lowest value preference was under 'openness to change' like self-direction and stimulation. On the other hand, teacher candidates considered teaching profession as 'respected' at most, and their 'teaching action' attitudes which is under the term of dedication to the profession were at the lowest level between all other attitudes. Lastly, it was found that the teacher candidates' value and ATTP means decreased in a meaningful way from 1stgrade to 4th grade. Moreover, it was seen that the teacher candidates' values predicting their ATTP differed significantly in terms of gender variable and department variable. According to the results obtained, it has been suggested that the contents that teacher candidates will improve concerned values and positive attitudes toward teaching profession should be added into the teacher training programs.