The Metaphorical Perceptions of Teacher Candidates Attending the Pedagogical Formation Program on Academic Staff—Gazi University Sample

Abstract

Teacher training in Turkey has a long history with various practices. It has taken a different dimension with training teachers through pedagogical formation program certificates that last for a short time. The aim of this research is to reveal the metaphors of teacher candidates attending pedagogical formation program towards the academic staff. The research was designed with qualitative model and phenomenology design was used. The sample of the study group was composed of 392 teacher candidates. Teacher candidates were asked to fill in the sentence; “Academic staff during the pedagogical formation program is like ….….; because …………………”. The data analysis was conducted with qualitative methods. The academic staff is described in 11 basic categories. Most of these categories are made of positive behaviors composing 86.47% as guiding, advisor and counselor, the resource of knowledge and experience, constructive and developer, multi-perspective, self-developing, open to change, respectful, patient, tolerant and democratic, role model, using effective body language and presentation techniques. The remaining 4 categories are made of metaphors presenting the negative behaviors of academic staff reflecting 14.03% of teacher candidates: just narrating, not communicating enough, authoritative and oppressive, behaving inconsistently and irresponsive, non-communicative and with high ego.