King Saud University Student Teachers' Evaluation of the Supervision of the Cooperating Teachers as an Indicator for Effective Cooperation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the King Saud student teachers' evaluation of the cooperating teachers' supervision in general and based on the variables of gender and specialization, and identify the strength and weakness aspects in the supervision. To achieve the objectives of the study, mixed methods methodology was applied by combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. A questionnaire was applied to a sample of (102 male and female student teachers). The sample included student teachers of art education, Islamic Sciences, Physics, and English language. In addition, reflection reports were presented from (32 male and female student teachers). The results indicated that the supervision quality was generally high. However, the results showed distinction in the quality of the supervision provided by the male cooperating teachers at the expense of the quality of supervision provided by the female cooperating teachers. The results did not indicate statistical differences attributable to the variable of specialization; in the general assessment, the English cooperating teachers had the lowest evaluation average (2.58 from 3.00) with (86%). The highest evaluation average (2.85 from 3.00) was for the Physics cooperating teachers with (95%). At the conclusion of the study, development proposals were reached for the performance of the cooperating teachers and their roles in the practicum field. The study also recommended the participation of cooperating male and female teachers in the planning process of the practicum program, and inform them of the roles required of them.