Malaysian Trainee Teachers’ Experience at Managing Students’ Learning During the Pandemic: A Leap into the 21st. Century Skills

Introduction- Teaching practicum is an essential part of teacher-training that provides real
classroom engagement for a beginner teacher. It is considered as one of the most critical
components of teacher preparation with greatest impact on teacher quality (Mtika, 2011;
Zeichner, 2010; Graham, 2006; Tang, 2003) and is significant for the development of their
pedagogical skills (Kauffman, 1992). The sudden upsurge of the Covid -19 infections around
the world in the first quarter of 2020, witnessed massive closure of schools worldwide in order
to contain the spread of the pandemic. This unexpected turn of events had flipped the more
traditional face-to-face method of teaching and learning into distance learning that requires
21st. Century technology and skills.
Purpose – This paper explores the experience of a group of trainee teachers from an institute
of higher learning in Malaysia, at managing this unprecedented challenge in delivering
education remotely via technology.
Methodology – Data were collected from interview and supplemental written records in the
form of lesson plans, teaching evidence and online tools employed for the teaching and
learning.
Findings – The findings show that the trainee teachers undergo varied and often challenging
experiences in ensuring the continuity of curriculum-based education and the students’
progress in learning.
Significance – Their successes in delivering the lessons amidst the novel encounters are the
epitome of resilient and flexible teachers in the making.