Parallel Session

Repositioning Quality Teacher Education Programme through Innovative Pedagogies in South East States of Nigeria: Implication on Students Learning

Abstract

The study investigated the level of knowledge and usage of innovative pedagogical approaches among academic staff of Colleges of Education in South East States of Nigeria. The study examined the level of knowledge and the extent to which innovative pedagogical approaches were used to support teacher education students learning and challenges facing the use of innovative pedagogies. The types of innovative pedagogical approaches used by the academic staff and the effectiveness of innovative pedagogical approaches were ascertained. A sample of 50 academic staff of Colleges of Education was selected using purposive sampling technique. The researcher-structured questionnaire and an in-depth interview were used as the instruments for data collection. The validity and reliability of the instrument were ascertained and a reliability index of 0.86 was obtained. Result revealed that there was moderate knowledge but low usage of innovative pedagogical approaches by academic staff. It further revealed that there was a significant difference in the knowledge and usage of innovative pedagogical approaches between male and female academic staff. From the qualitative findings, the staff revealed that they are aware of these strategies; however do not have in-depth knowledge of how to use them. This therefore led to the low use of the strategies. The finding implies that the use of innovative pedagogical approaches needs to be incorporated and used by the academic staff in order to enhance the learning of students in colleges of education. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that a template of how to effectively use innovative approaches should be developed and teachers should be trained and a pilot study carried out to ascertain the effectiveness of the strategies on teaching and learning outcome in higher education.  

Keywords: Teacher Education, Innovative Pedagogical Approaches, Individualized Instruction, Cooperative Learning, Competencies.