The contribution of pedagogical studies to the development of pedagogues' professional competencies: Practitioners' assessments

Abstract

Due to the circumstances enabling the dominance of the theoretical-practical concept of education directed towards the development of competencies, higher education study programs have been based on the foundations of the previously established professional competencies that ought to be developed in students. Due to its complexity, the fulfilment of the professional role of the pedagogue requires the development of numerous and distinct competencies. Pedagogical studies are among the most important factors for their development. This paper comprises a presentation and analysis of the results of a research aimed to study pedagogues' assessments on the contribution of pedagogical studies to the development of competencies required for professional activities. The research sample included 152 pedagogues employed at various pedagogical and educational institutions in the Republic of Serbia. The results of the research indicate that pedagogues estimate that pedagogical study programs are directed towards a balanced development of many different competencies, but that not all of them are of equal importance for professional activities. Moreover, the results of the research highlight the statistically significant differences among pedagogues in terms of the preferred importance of specific competencies for professional activities and the assessment of their development throughout studies, taking into account their years of experience and workplace. The results of the research may be used as a starting point for the further development of pedagogical study programs.