From students' personality traits to teacher education pedagogy

Abstract

Literatures on teaching profession indicate that one of the most important factors for the recruitment of teachers is their personality. Upon entering university Brunei Darussalam a group of undergraduate students from various teacher education programs were tested on their personality. The group was in the 19-23 age-group. A total of 123 undergraduates (27 males and 96 females) responded to the NEO-PIR personality questionnaire. The responses were analyzed to identify: dominant teachers personality traits, dominant faceUs in each trait and differences in personality traits between male and female students. The findings indi cated that the dominant personality trait s among the groups are NEOAC . (N=neuroticism; E=extraversi on; O=op e nness; A= agreeableness and C=conscientiousness). Dominant facets in the traits are in the domains of neuroticism and agreeableness. There are differences in personality traits between male and female trainee teachers. Female scored higher than male group on neuroticism (females=mean 105.1 Std. Dev = 10.3 as compared to males with mean=103.9 Std. Dev. 10.5). Males scored higher on facets in agreeableness (males=mean 112.5 & Std. Dev = 10.6 as compared to females with mean=110.8 Std. Dev.10.3). Would you teach male and female students differently? Implications to pedagogy are further highlighted. Finally the authors argue on the contributions that can be made to changing the contour of teacher education pedagogy and lifelong learning.