The Difficulties Encountered by Primary School Mathematics Student Teachers While Completing the Teaching Practice Program and a Proposal for Developing It

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying the difficulties the primary school mathematics student teachers encounter while implementing the teaching practice program, and providing a proposal for developing it in light of these difficulties and the current trends in the teaching practice area. To fulfill the purpose of the study, the researcher used the descriptive survey method. The sample of the study consisted of 60 mathematics student teachers who were attending the College of Teachers at King Saud University during the 1435/1436 academic year. The study used a questionnaire that covers eight areas of difficulties in the teaching practice program. The results of the data analysis revealed a number of difficulties the mathematics student teachers encounter in their teaching practice; including: lack of the instructional aids needed for teaching mathematics, lack of Internet access in classrooms, the need for a teaching practice trainee guide which explains their duties, responsibilities and rights, lack of the strong link between the mathematics courses at the College and the mathematics syllabus taught at the primary school, and the long distance between the school and the trainee’s house. In light of the difficulties revealed by the study and the current trends in the teaching practice area, the researcher has provided a proposal for developing teaching practice program completed by the primary school mathematics student teachers. The recommendations of the present study include: selecting appropriate field training schools with good facilities, capabilities and instructional aids, developing a teaching practice guide which includes all what is related to student teachers’ practices and responsibilities, and linking the mathematics courses the student teachers study at the College with the mathematics syllabus they teach at the primary school.