ERIC Number: EJ1297201
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2227-7102
EISSN: N/A
Students' and Instructors' Understandings, Attitudes and Beliefs about Educational Theories: Results of a Mixed-Methods Study
Education Sciences, v11 Article 197 2021
(1) Background: Educational theories are a constitutive element of educational studies. Despite their theoretical relevance, little is still known about students' and instructors' understandings of educational theories and their theory-related attitudes and beliefs. (2) Methods: To elucidate these constructs and to test their relevance, we conducted a mixed-methods study with 32 students and 12 instructors of educational studies at a German university. (3) Results: We found that both groups perceived educational theories as rather abstract concepts. Students reported rather negative attitudes and naive beliefs. For both groups, we found that attitudes and beliefs were strongly tied to motivational and affective aspects when dealing with educational theories, which stresses their relevance for educational studies. (4) Conclusions: We suggest a systematic theoretical clarification of the term educational theories. Furthermore, consideration of students' and instructors' theory-related attitudes and beliefs can give rise to meaningful practical implications (e.g., through self-reflection).
Descriptors: Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Beliefs, Educational Theories, Foreign Countries, College Students, College Faculty, Epistemology, Motivation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: N/A
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A