ERIC Number: EJ1441334
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1710-2146
Available Date: N/A
Challenges Faced by Teacher Educators in Integrating Critical Thinking Pedagogies in Initial Primary Teacher Training in Malawi
Buledi Majawa; Grames Wellington Chirwa; Precious Nyoni
International Journal of Whole Schooling, v20 n2 p36-55 2024
In 2017, Malawi's Ministry of Education revised the Initial Primary Teacher Education curriculum to enhance education quality, emphasizing critical thinking pedagogies. However, no research has been published on how teacher educators implement these pedagogies and the challenges they face. A qualitative study addressed this gap, involving fourteen Social Sciences teacher educators and Curriculum specialists from four teacher education colleges and the Malawi Institute of Education. Guided by Paulo Freire's Critical Pedagogy Theory and Shulman's Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), data was gathered through document reviews, interviews, and observations. Findings revealed many educators lack understanding of critical thinking's aims and significance, facing challenges due to inadequate training. This results in difficulties incorporating critical thinking, especially in lesson development and conclusions. Assessments predominantly rely on recall questions, failing to promote critical thinking. Poor management of the curriculum's introduction led to ineffective implementation. The study recommends careful planning and adequate training for educators to effectively integrate critical thinking pedagogies.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Teacher Educators, Critical Thinking, Curriculum Development, Barriers, Preservice Teacher Education, Teacher Attitudes
Whole Schooling Consortium. Available from: Concordia University College of Alberta. 7128 Ada Boulevard, Edmonton, AB T5B 4E4, Canada. e-mail: wholeschooling@twmi.rr.com; Web site: http://www.wholeschooling.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Malawi
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A