Critical Thinking Skills and Self-Efficiency Beliefs in Preservice Physical Education Teachers

Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between preservice physical education teachers' self-efficacy beliefs and critical thinking tendencies. For this purpose, our universe constitutes preservice physical education teachers studying at different universities in the 2018-2019 academic year. The research sample consists of 640 preservice teachers in total, 350 males and 290 females. Cities in which the preservice teachers are involved in the research and the universities where they are studying; It consists of 8 provinces: Bartın, Bolu, Çorum, Düzce, Karabük, Kastamonu, Sinop, Zonguldak. Within the scope of the research, “California Critical Thinking Scale (CCTDI)” and “Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale” were used to obtain the data collected from preservice teachers. The data collected for the purpose of the research were analyzed with the SPSS-25 statistical program. Structural equation modeling analyzes were carried out using the data collected from 640 participant groups using the AMOS-25 package program. As a result, students can be directed to earn these trends through activities aimed at gaining critical thinking skills and tendencies by rethinking physical education and sports school programs being implemented in our country. In this regard, university students can be given the opportunity to become highly critical individuals.