Open AccessEvaluating the General Diploma Program as Perceived by Student Teachers at the college of Education , Sultan Qaboos University
Author(s) -
Ahmed Bin Hamed Al-Rabani
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
mağallaẗ al-dirāsāt al-tarbawiyyaẗ wa-al-nafsiyyaẗ/journal of educational and psychological studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2521-7046
pISSN - 2218-6506
DOI - 10.24200/jeps.vol2iss1pp44-75
Subject(s) - consistency (knowledge bases) , internal consistency , psychology , medical education , mathematics education , sample (material) , point (geometry) , pedagogy , medicine , computer science , psychometrics , clinical psychology , chemistry , geometry , mathematics , chromatography , artificial intelligence
This study aimed at evaluating the General Diploma Program from the point view of student teachers of the academic year 2004/2005. The sample consisted of 210 students in different specializations. Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising 44 items subsumed under seven dimensions. The instrument was validated by a panel of experts and its internal consistency was (0.92). The following are the major findings of the study. First, diploma students are convinced of their selection of teaching as a profession. Second, the diploma program positively developed students’ attitudes towards teaching. Third, the program was highly effective in developing student teachers' teaching skills and moderately effective in developing their research and technology skills. Fourth, students reported that they highly benefited from 5 courses; while their benefit from the other courses was moderate. Fifth, there were statistically significant differences in students' views that can be attributed to their majors. Sixth, there were no statistically significant differences in students' views due to their gender. Finally, students were satisfied with their relationship with professors and college administrators; but they were not satisfied with computer and library services.