The implementation of lesson study to improve the teaching skills of chemistry teacher candidates

Abstract

The development of teacher competence is to be an important issue in many countries and is to be a focus of study at many universities. Chemistry Education Department of Islamic University of Indonesia have committed to produce graduates as a competent chemistry teacher candidate. One of the course that was held to prepare the competence of teacher candidate was Microteaching. Microteaching course is very important for teacher candidates. This course needs strategy to fulfill the learning achievement. The appropriate strategy to teach Microteaching course is lesson study. This study aims to describe the implementation and the effect of lesson study on Microteaching course. The study used a descriptive approach. Subject were Chemistry Education level three in academic year 2016/2017. Implementation of lesson study consists of 4 stages such as planning, implementation and observation, reflection, and follow-up. The research instruments include performance assessment, student questionnaire, and self-assessment. The research data shows that lesson study gives positive impact on teaching skills. Percentage of students who mastered learning achievement of 97.2%. The average score of performance assessment and student questionnaires were 80.3 and 85.4. Observation during the lecture showed a positive response from the students. The application of lesson study led to significant progress in student teaching skills.