Individual pedagogical theories of teachers about the school, as the place of development of creativity, independent thoughts and actions of students (research report)

Abstract

Introduction

In studies about school many different categories are used. In presented research I use the individual pedagogical theory of teachers category. These theories, being the effect of, among others, knowledge gained from studies, proffesional experiences, beliefs, stereotypes, have a crucial impact on their work at school.

Aim of the study

The text is the report of research conducted in 2019 among elementary school teachers (N=550). The aim of the study was the discovery of individual pedagogical theories of teachers releated to school, as the place of development of creativity, independent thinking and actions of the student.

Method of research

Method of diagnostic survey via self-constructed questionnaire was used in the research.

Results and conclusions from the study

The results that were aquired indicate that 43% of surveyed teachers are convinced that the key job of the school is the relay of knowledge and not development of independence and creativity of students. Their personal theories on this matter differ based on the size of school, work experience and education level. What is disturbing is that 40% of them believe that, to achieve school success, the development of „school way of thinking” in students is necessary. In this way a paradoxiacal reality is revealed in which the school system doesn’t expect students to cope well with living in the world and doesn’t prepare them for it, but expects competences of the students needed for them only to survive in the system.