Effects of Competency Programme for Understanding and Guiding Studentswith Learning Difficulties on Teacher Efficacy, Teaching Passion, and Empathy of Pre-Service Teachers

Abstract

Education for pre-service teachers should focus on developing the competencies necessary to understand and practice learners’ cognitive and emotional char-acteristics. In this study, after applying the competency programme for understanding and guiding students with learning difficulties to pre-service teachers, the effects of the programme on teacher efficacy, teaching passion, and empathy were verified. As a result, it was found that participating in the experimental group to which the competency programme was applied was more effective than the control group in enhancing teacher efficacy, teaching passion, and empathy of pre-service teachers, and discussion and suggestions were provided.