Student teaching in industrial arts: A study of major problems and proposed solutions

Abstract

The program of industrial arts teacher education at the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades demands that all subjects in the Teacher Education Curriculum contribute more effectively to the training and preparation of the prospective industrial arts teachers. One of these subjects which should have a greater influence than any other subject is Student Teaching. The program of student teaching at the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades has not been efficient because of the many and varied problems confronting it. A study of these problems is, therefore, imperative. The purposes of this study are the following: 1. To identify some of the major problems that confront student teaching in industrial arts at the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades, (2) to organize solutions contributed by respondents which attempt to meet these major problems, and (3) to present recommendations for the solutions of these problems. Significance of the study. The study is aimed at improving the program of student teaching in industrial arts at the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades. The identification of the major problems that confront the present program might provide some bases for improving the management and practices of student teaching. When these problems are identified by those engaged in the program, solutions are expected to be proposed cooperatively by all those concerned. The program of student teaching is a responsibility which needs not be taken for granted. The welfare of all the pupils in the classroom, as well as the student teacher himself is at stake. Teachers generally do not like that the progress of their pupils will be retarded if taught by an incompetent student teacher. Parents, too, do not like that their children will be taught by inexperienced teachers who are still in college. It is essential, therefore, that whatever problems confronting the program of student teaching need be resolved for the benefit of both school children and student teachers. The success of the prospective teacher will in all probability be influenced by his experiences as a student teacher more than any other course. The study is considered very important because of the great need today for preparing competent industrial arts teachers who could be more sensitive and responsive to the demands of modern society. Identification of the problem. The need for undertaking this study came to the writer's attention when he was engaged in student teaching as critic teacher in the laboratory of student teaching at the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades and as supervising instructor for student teachers who are assigned in off-campus student teaching. Since student teaching in industrial arts is conducted in other schools outside of the Iloilo School of Arts and Trades, many problems have been encountered. Some of these problems involved controversies in principles and methods of teaching, supervisory problems, administrative problems, and problems of relationships. It is the observation of the writer that during the past five years of student teaching in off-campus, there have been many complaints coming from cooperating teachers and student teachers because of their seemingly lack of understanding of student teaching policies and practices. Another significant fact that prompted the writer to undertake this study is that through his interviews with school authorities, he found out that they seem to be dissatisfied with the present crop of industrial arts teachers. They are dissatisfied with the quality of industrial arts teachers produced by teacher training institutions of arts and trades. The awareness of this need coupled with his desire to contribute to the competencies of industrial arts teachers motivated the writer to undertake this study.