An Analysis of The Pre-service Preschool Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Views Towards Using Museums As an Educational Environment

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the self-efficacy beliefs and views of the pre-service preschool teachers in accordance with their opinions towards the museums being used as an educational environment. The study used mixed methods. The pre-service preschool teachers’ (n=30),who study in Near East University in preshool teaching department, self-efficacy beliefs towards using museums as an educational environment have been determined by the “Self-efficacy beliefs scale regarding museum education” and their views have been determined by “Semi-structural interview forms”. The result of the study has showed that the pre-service teachers found themselves inadequate in using the museums as an educational environment. It has also been revealed that the knowledge of the pre-service teachers about the museums being used as an educational environment, the museum activities being gradually performed and using the strategy, method and techniques regarding the museum education need to be enhanced. As a result, forming an in-service education program for the pre-service teachers to enhance their knowledge regarding the education in the museum to a sufficient level has been suggested.