Professional Development for Student Teachers Focusing on Inclusive Education and Fostering Self-Determination

Abstract

Inclusive education is a pedagogical philosophy that emphasizes embracing and accommodating the diversity of learners within a single educational environment. It is about creating an atmosphere of acceptance, where every student feels valued and has access to the same educational opportunities. Professional development for student teachers, particularly in the realm of inclusive education, plays a pivotal role in shaping their ability to create inclusive and empowering learning environments. The concept of self-determination, which involves fostering Self-regulation, Self-realization, Autonomy and Psychological empowerment in students, is crucial in the context of inclusive education. The depth of understanding and application of self-determination skills may vary between student teachers with bachelors’ and masters’ degrees. In the study, the researchers utilized a simple random sampling technique. This method is considered unbiased and ensures that the selected sample is representative of the entire population. The researchers specifically examined the self-determination of student teacher in relation to their highest qualification. This means they wanted to understand how self-determination varied among student teacher based on whether they held a bachelors’ degree or masters’ degree. The findings of the study revealed that student teacher with a bachelor’s degree demonstrated higher levels of self-determination compared to those with other qualifications. This suggests that there may be a correlation between the level of education and the degree of self-determination among student teacher. The study emphasized the importance of investigating the impact of professional development on self-determination, especially at different education levels. This exploration is crucial for understanding how teacher training programs can be improved to enhance the quality of inclusive education practices in schools. The study highlighted the potential impact of professional development on self-determination, indicating that higher education levels, such as obtaining a bachelor’s degree, might contribute to increased levels of self-determination among student teacher.