SUPERVISION OF TEACHING PRACTICE AS EXPERIENCED BY STUDENT TEACHERS AND COLLEGE TUTORS: THE CASE OF OFFINSO COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore the perception of student teachers on the nature of teaching practice they undertake and the nature of supervision they receive during practicum. The population of the study comprised final the year students of Offinso College of Education who had their teaching practice in the 2014/2015 academic year numbering 300 and all the tutors numbering 59.The sample for the study comprised 100(83%) student teachers and 30(51%) college tutors. The instrument used was a questionnaire and simple random sampling technique (The lottery method) was used to select student teachers and college tutors who were involved in the study. To achieve the purpose of the study, a descriptive survey design was used.  A perceived quality of supervision model was adapted and used to measure the quality of supervision rendered to student teachers during practicum. Specifically, the model was used to collect data to measure the perception of student teachers as compared to supervisors. The  model was adapted from a conceptual model of service quality (SERVQUAL) developed by Parasuraman, Berry, and Zeithaml (1985) The findings showed that the overall perception about the quality of the supervision function of the teaching practice programme fell below expectation in all the five quality dimensions measured. The study showed that there was a positive relationship between the professional development of teacher trainees and the teaching practice they undertook. However, the size of the effect or impact was not that significant. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the college supervisors or tutors must work hand in hand with head teachers of the schools in which student teachers are posted to identify areas of professional growth and development.