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Cited by 39Teacher Professional Development and MotivationSchool Choice and PerformanceTeacher Education and Leadership Studies

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Teaching as a Career Choice: Triggers and Drivers

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National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Low, Ee Ling, Ng, Pak Tee, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Hui, Chenri, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Cai, Li, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore·2017·Australian Journal of Teacher Education
DOI 10.14221/ajte.2017v42n2.3
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Abstract

Why people are drawn to teaching has been a focal research area. However, previous studies seem to centre on the traditional conceptualisations of intrinsic, altruistic, and extrinsic motivations as well as some other similar categorisations. This study attempts to discuss the issue from a different conceptual stance, proposing a distinction between the “triggers” and the “drivers”. The influences on the motivation for joining teaching were explored through in-depth interviews with 26 student teachers. Results show that student teachers’ motivations for joining teaching in Singapore may differ in important ways from that of their counterparts in other places. More importantly, the results highlighted differences between “triggers” and “drivers” as well as the inter-relatedness between them. Some practical implications are drawn for teacher education both within Singapore and internationally.

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Metadata

Authors
National Institute of Education, N. T. U., Low, E. L., Ng, P. T., National Institute of Education, N. T. U., Hui, C., National Institute of Education, N. T. U., Cai, L., & National Institute of Education, N. T. U.
Affiliations
Nanyang Technological University (SG)
ORCID
Venue
Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Published
2017-02
Pages
28-46
DOI
10.14221/ajte.2017v42n2.3
OpenAlex
W2593040748
Cited by
39
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2
FWCI
9.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • NIE Digital Repository (National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University) (publishedVersion)
  • Australasian Journal of Paramedicine (submittedVersion)
Funders
Nanyang Technological University
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Teacher Professional Development and Motivation
  • Social Sciences › Education › School Choice and Performance
  • Social Sciences › Education › Teacher Education and Leadership Studies
Keywords
career choice, teaching profession, teacher motivation, pre-service teachers, teacher professional development, Singapore

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