EXAMINING PLANNING AND APPLICATION SELF-EFFICACY SKILLS OF PRESCHOOL TEACHERS REGARDING GAME TEACHING METHOD: NORTH CYPRUS CASE

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to investigate preschool teachers’ planning and self-efficacy skills in game teaching methods at government schools in Northern Cyprus. Survey method is used in this study. Random sampling is used in this research study and 95 out of 236 preschool teachers has participated who has completed the form fully. A Preschool Period Game Teaching Self-Efficacy Questionnaire which is developed by Kadim in 2012 and Personal Information Form were used to collect data. SPSS 20 was used to analyze data. Frequency, one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test are tests which are used to specify if there is any statistically significant difference between dependent and independent samples. Gender, location of the school, teacher’s age, teacher’s level of education, type of the school, presence of team teacher (teacher assistant), class size and seniority are independent variables in this study. Planning and application scores are used as dependent variables. As a result, any statistically difference between dependent and independent variables could not be detected. Almost all of the participants were Atatürk Teacher Academy graduates. And it can be concluded that most of teachers in government preschools have almost the same background since Academic staff has been same over 20 years in the Academy regarding the results. Therefore, insignificant findings might be due to the method of training preservice teachers that has not been changed for years. However, there are some significant findings in some game teaching method studies that was conducted in Turkey that might have been occurred from cultural differences and educational background. This study should be repeated with different participants and methodology in order to enlighten teachers’ way of using game teaching method.