An İnvestigation of Prospective Music Teachers’ Early Teacher İdentity

Abstract

This study was a descriptive study that investigated prospective music teachers’ early teacher identity. The study made use of a general screening model. Participants of the research is consists of 162 fourth-year music teacher candidates. The study was conducted in the spring semester of the 2015-2016 academic year at the music teaching department of the fine arts education division of different Universities in Turkey.  The " Early Teacher Identity Measure” developed by Friesen and Besley (2013) was used in the research as data collection tool. As a result; according the results of the analysis, prospective music teachers’ perceptions of early teacher identity was found to be at "high" level in general, and in all sub-dimensions  of the measure. In the light of research results, it is considered that when teacher candidates confident in their profession, will exhibit more positive behaviors towards the students, motivate the students more easily, enjoy doing and enjoying their profession and will be able to better assume the duty, responsibility and roles of the teacher.  According to the conclusions of this study, it is thought that gaining information about the teacher identity of teacher candidates will help to develop teacher education programs.

Keywords: Prospective music teachers, early teacher identity, music course.