Relations between teachers’ epistemological beliefs and teaching practice in Serbia

Abstract

Theoretical framework within which this paper is set is the conception of teachers’ epistemological beliefs. The author’s attention is focused on the classification of teachers’ beliefs in the realistic, contextual and relativistic approach. The question that permeates this study is whether the teacher’s beliefs are consistent with their work in practice. A questionnaire was made for the purpose of the research and the sample encompasses 420 teachers in Serbia. Results show that the subjects mostly estimate that they belong to a constructivist profile. However, their answers indicate that their acting is different from their self-assessment. Research findings imply a need for an awakening of teachers with regards to personal epistemologies.