Professional Competencies and Cognitive Abilities of Teachers

Abstract

The teaching profession depends on skills and professional competencies, which can be summarized under the term professional competence. Professional competencies entitle the teacher to perform skilled activities as teachers. In the present study, we investigated which cognitive skills support better development of professional competencies. The main aim of the study was to examine the relationship between teachers' professional competencies and their cognitive abilities. A total of 591 teachers aged 20 – 72 years (M=43.56, SD=10.92) participated in the study. Teachers' professional competencies were measured using the Teacher Interaction Questionnaire, the Slovak Teaching Style Questionnaire, and the Didactic Competencies Questionnaire. Cognitive abilities were measured as critical thinking disposition (using the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale), scientific trust (using the Credibility of Science Scale), and psychological misconceptions (using the Psychological Information Questionnaire). Results (controlled for age and practice) showed positive relationships between critical thinking disposition and the interaction styles of leadership, helpfulness, understanding, and student-teacher responsibility (r= .382 - .502), alongside with didactic competencies (planning and preparation, realization, classroom climate, diagnosis and evaluation, and self-reflection; r= .410 - .731) and with managerial and supporting teaching styles (r= .404 - .709). There were no associations with scientific trust or psychological misconceptions. The findings suggest the importance of supporting the development of critical thinking during undergraduate teacher education to promote the development of professional competencies.



Author Information
Eva Ballová Mikušková, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia
Marcela Verešová, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia

Paper Information
Conference: BCE2023
Stream: Professional Training

This paper is part of the BCE2023 Conference Proceedings (View)
Full Paper
View / Download the full paper in a new tab/window


To cite this article:
Mikušková E., & Verešová M. (2023) Professional Competencies and Cognitive Abilities of Teachers ISSN: 2435-9467 – The Barcelona Conference on Education 2023: Official Conference Proceedings https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-9467.2023.14
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2435-9467.2023.14


Comments & Feedback

Place a comment using your LinkedIn profile

Comments

Share on activity feed

Powered by WP LinkPress

Share this Research

Posted by James Alexander Gordon