Personal constructs: Novice and expert science teachers concerning teacher function

AbstractTeachers are transmitter of knowledge, skills and values to the mass population, therefore they are considered as nation's valuable asset. Regardless of teaching experiences, teachers are required to play their roles to their utmost capabilities. However, research clearly showed that, teaching experience shaped teachers’ perceptual, thinking and behavior capabilities. A set of questionnaire was developed aimed to identify personal constructs between novice and expert Science teacher concerning teacher function. Two groups of Science teacher with different level of experience in teaching are formed. One of the groups is of teachers with high level of practical teaching experience and the other group is formed by inexperienced Science teachers. The results revealed a greater number of similarities than differences in personal constructs. Some of the differences observed were mainly related to teaching strategies. Based from this finding, it is suggested that more customize professional development programs especially on teaching aspects are conducted for specific groups of teachers