Issues in Teaching Practice: Perception of Students Enrolled in Distant Learning and Regular Programs of Teacher Training

Abstract

Teaching practice plays a pivotal role in a teacher training program. Without practical training, such a program would not be effective and comprehensive in its purpose. Teaching practice provides an opportunity to the prospective teachers to apply their knowledge and learned skills in real situation. Irrespective to its goodness, while teaching practice, teachers may encounter some problems. This study was intended to examine the problems encountered during the process of teaching practice as perceived by the student teachers. Data was collected from student teachers who were engaged in practice teaching. Sample consisted of 100 student teachers out of which 50 were enrolled in regular teacher training programs in the Institute of Education and Research, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan and 50 students were enrolled in distance learning programs in the Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan. A questionnaire was developed about problems related to various aspects of teaching practice. The opinions of regular and distant learners were compared and some recommendations were made in the light of findings of the study.