Insights from Saudi Student Teachers: Successes and Challenges

The goal of this research was to investigate successful experiences and challenges of student teachers during their learning and training period. Participants were student-teachers enrolled in a Primary Grades Teacher Education program at a large women's university. A mixed-method approach was followed, using reflective journals, group interviews, and a survey. The reflective journals were an assigned task in the Student Teaching Seminar on a weekly basis. Interviews included open-ended questions to explore their feelings, opinions, past experiences and expectations. A survey consisted of 16 items was administered to 68 student teachers and comprised of questions in three categories: clinical experiences, collaborative partnership, and clinical educators. Four key factors were identified as successful experiences: having an effective cooperative teacher; learning with peers; Feeling of being a contributor; and learning to understand differences. Three key challenges were identified as follows: lack of support at the field-based school; lack of supervision; and problems with classroom management. Findings demonstrated the importance of seeking trainee teachers' perceptions about their experiences in order to enhance the effectiveness of teaching practicums.