Resistance behaviors of prospective teachers toward teaching profession knowledge courses

The present study has been conducted in an attempt to determine the circumstances causing resistance behavior in prospective teachers by demonstration of their resistance behaviors toward Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses. The mixed research method has been applied in this descriptive study. For data collection, the identity information of the prospective teachers, resistance scale for Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses, the survey consisting of items on the incidence of problems in Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses as developed by the researcher and an open-ended question on the suggestions of prospective teachers on Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses consisting of total 64-items data collection tool were used in the study. The data collection tool was applied on 593 propective teachers in their fourth year in the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Technical Education in Fırat University. However, due to sections that are not filled or randomly filled, only 565 questionnaires were taken for evaluation. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed using the software package SPSS 15.0 for Windows Evaluation Version and, for qualitative data, the software Nvivo 8 was used.Based on the results of the analysis, it was found that the prospective teachers had negative opinions towards Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses and towards the instructors of Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses which led to passive resistance behavior. It was ascertained that the resistance towards Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses varied by certain variables such as gender, faculty, department, ÖSS score type, type of graduation from secondary education. The incidence of problems regarding the methods-techniques applied in Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses given to prospective teachers, shortcomings of tools and equipments and measuring-evaluation was higher. It was determined that the problems faced in these courses varied by such variables as department, ÖSS score type and the type of graduation from secondary education. As for the suggestions made by the prospective teachers on the improvement of Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses, it was determined that the suggestions were predominantly on the style of teaching and the qualifications of the instructor.Upon an overall analysis of the results obtained, it was determined that the prospective teachers exhibit resistance behavior towards Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) course which was caused by the instructors. It was observed that the instructors had problems with the style of teaching, relationships with the students and academic aptitude and the prospective teachers made suggestions on the improvement of Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses in parallel with these problems. In light of these results, suggestions were made towards improving the qualifications of instructors Teaching Profession Knowledge (TPK) courses.Key Words: Teacher Education, Teaching Profession Knowledge Courses, Resistance Behaviors, İnstructor, Prospective Teacher.?