Importance of Pedagogical Disciplines in Postgraduate Education of a Subject Teacher

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to substantiate the importance of pedagogical disciplines in the postgraduate education of a subject teacher. To achieve the purpose of the study, the authors had to solve the following objectives: 1) to identify the problems that novice university teachers face in the professional, psychological and motivational spheres of the adaptation process; 2) to compare the frequency of these problems in the groups of novice university teachers with pedagogical education and novice university teachers without pedagogical education obtaining postgraduate education; 3) to identify significant differences in the studied samples; 4) based on the data obtained, to draw a conclusion about the need to include pedagogical disciplines in postgraduate curricula. Methodology: 2 groups of novice teachers from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (93 people) took part in this study: novice teachers of a foreign language with pedagogical education (40 people) and novice teachers without pedagogical education, obtaining postgraduate education (53 people). The study involved quantitative data analysis containing the descriptive statistical analysis and the correlation analysis. Main Findings: All novice university teachers face problems of adaptation to the professional activity. Comparison of novice university teachers with pedagogical education and postgraduate students without pedagogical education engaged in teaching resulted in the following findings: the difference between the values of novice teachers with and without a teaching degree is in most cases statistically significant. It makes it possible to conclude that novice university teachers without pedagogical education need support via additional educational programmes. This study can be useful in planning the curriculum for post-graduate students. The identified difficulties faced by young teachers without pedagogical education can be taken into consideration in the process of planning professional development programmes. Novelty/Originality of this study: This research is particularly relevant for improving the professional culture of specialists in the field of education and contributes to the solution of the professional adaptation problem faced by novice educators. The obtained results can enhance the programme of professional development of young university teachers.