The evaluation of early field experience from the point of view of kindergarten managers and supervisors: A follow up study

Abstract

The aim of the current research is to explore the reality of the early field experience in a Saudi bachelor program of preparing  kindergarten teachers focusing on the point of view of supervisors and kindergarten directors through tracking their work for (5) semesters from the organizational, administrative, and professional aspect. In order to achieve the goal, the researchers designed (2) questionnaires, one for each of the sample occupation (directors/ supervisors). Each questionnaire for each category contained two main domains, the first related to organizational aspects and the second for professional utilization of early field experience. This research used longitudinal research method, where the research sample was formed of (35) principals of kindergartens in the cities of Khobar and Dammam, and (10) faculty members at Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University who supervised the students during field experience, and the results of the research revealed no fundamental differences between the principals and supervisors in (organizational aspects Professionalism) according to the academic level of the students, furthermore, their responses were mostly rated between high and very high. The research recommended the necessity of training cooperating teachers in the field in order to better understand the requirements of early field experience and the mechanisms and strategies needed to better prepare student teachers.