Students as substitute teachers

An empirical survey on the status quo in the technology teaching study programme

Abstract

This empirical study analyses the growing practice of using student teachers in technology as substitute teachers in order to counter the current shortage of teachers. At the University of Duisburg-Essen, 261 students were surveyed in order to analyse the status quo and the impact of their employment on their studies. The results replicate findings from the few studies available to date and show that a significant proportion of students work as substitute teachers alongside their studies, often without sufficient professional support and frequently outside of their school form and subject. Although this practice provides short-term relief to schools, it is problematic in terms of university teacher training and the professionalisation process of students.