Motivational Factors that Influence Choosing Teaching as a Career: A FIT-Choice Study of Preservice and Inservice Teachers in India
pp. 157-170 | Published Online: December 2021 | DOI: 10.22521/unibulletin.2021.102.4
Varda Sardana, Shubhangi Verma, Shubham Singhania
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Abstract
Background/purpose – This study examines the validity of the Factors Influencing Teaching (FIT) Choice Scale, developed by Watt and Richardson (2007), in the Indian context, by understanding the influential factors that motivate individuals to choose teaching as a profession. |
Materials/methods – The study uses an exploratory research design. Purposive sampling technique is employed to obtain a sample of 184 inservice and preservice teachers from India, using a structured questionnaire for data collection. The study further makes use of descriptive and inferential statistics in analyzing the collected data.
Results – The findings suggest that the factors which motivate students to go into teaching as a profession are their perceived teaching abilities, social utility values such as ability to make a social contribution as well as shaping the future of the youth/young minds, and intrinsic career value.
Conclusion – The study provides suggestions to policymakers and recruiting institutions to consider certain factors whilst designing job descriptions for roles within educational institutions. It also emphasizes the importance of budding teachers to recognize factors that play a crucial role in their career choice decisions.
Keywords: FIT choice, teaching, motivation, education, career choice.
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