Comparison of Preservice Science Teachers' Self-Efficacy Beliefs in Teaching Biology

The self-efficacy perception as to the teaching profession has become more important recently and has attracted researchers' interest. The ones who have a high level of self-efficacy perception are more successful and show the skill of reaching the result faster. Also, in science instruction, a high level of self-efficacy in the teachers is important not only for the improvement of their students but also for themselves. It is aimed in this study to determine the self-efficacy belief levels toward biology education instruction of science student teachers. Consequently, in 2004-2005 educational terms, the self-efficacy belief scale was applied to student teachers that receive science education in 1. and 4. classroom grades of Mugla, Pamukkale and Dokuz Eylul Universities. Also, age, gender and classroom grades were considered as independent variables. According to the result of the study, the self-efficacy belief levels of the student teachers having biology education increased as they continued up to the next classroom grade and ages. Also, there observed meaningful difference in the teacher candidate's self-sufficiency perception according to the gender.