What are 'Dispositions'?

Dispositions are traits and beliefs that guide our thoughts, actions, and character. We learn dispositions from our experiences, our family and friends, and our culture. Dispositions can be taught and changed through new experiences.

There has been much research indicating that a teacher’s attitude, thoughts, and beliefs about their students have a great impact on student development and learning (Notar, Riley, Taylor, Thornburg, and Cargill, 2009). In fact, dispositions may be more important in student learning and development than the knowledge and skills of teaching (Wilkerson, 2006). Notar, Riley, Taylor, Thornburg, and Cargill (2009) suggested that there is a strong relationship between a teacher’s dispositions and the quality of their students’ learning. For these reasons, it is essential that as part of your preparation program, you are willing to work to develop the personal characteristics that impact student learning, in addition to content knowledge and the skills of a teacher (we call that pedagogy).

The instrument will be housed in Tk20 to be sent out to students and faculty teaching program specified courses.