Abstract:
This study sought to understand the process of providing on-campus practical experience to teacher trainees in preparation
for practicum in basic schools, and how the trainees perceive these. It used the mixed method approach to obtain data from
three purposively sampled colleges of education in the Central Region of Ghana. Questionnaires were administered to 232
teacher trainees; 12 focus group discussion sessions were held with the trainees while an interview guide was used to elicit
data from 24 college tutors. The findings showed that the on-campus experience offered trainees the opportunity to improve
on their knowledge and practice of general pedagogical skills such as the writing of lesson plans, statement of appropriate
lesson objectives, lesson delivery, timing of activities, and the use of teaching and learning resources. However, there was
no evidence of documented standards and guidelines for the conduct of the on-campus practicum. Again, trainees had very
limited time to engage with supervisors and critically interrogate and reflect on their own practices. Consequently, it was
suggested that teacher training institutions should develop appropriate teaching standards and guidelines for on-campus
teaching practice and give trainees more opportunity to engage with and critically interrogate their own practice in the
process of learning to teach.
