Enriching Pedagogical Competency of Science Teachers through Simulation Class in Pre Service Teacher Education: An Action Research in College of Teacher Education

Abstract

The role of pre service teacher education is crucial for creating skilled science teacher for the society that develops competency to teach science effectively at secondary level. However it is found from various researches that science teachers are unable to express adequate level of pedagogical competency in secondary classroom. This would create tremendous challenges to future science education system. Therefore one action research is carried out to solve the problem of low pedagogical competency of science teacher in college of teacher education. In this concern simulation classes has been implemented. Observation schedule, checklist, interview tools are used to map the pedagogical competency of 40 student science teacher. It is found that there lies significant difference in the scores of pedagogical competency of student science teachers before simulation and during internship program i.e. after simulation. Student teachers have self evaluated through checklist and responded that simulation has improved their pedagogical competency. Faculties have also opined that simulation classes are the effective tool for enriching pedagogical competency of science teachers.