Abstract
Purpose – In this study, a structural model based on Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory was proposed to explain how the interrelationships between a person (i.e. personality factors) and his or her environment (i.e. how one perceives the school as a learning organisation) can influence the person’s behaviour. The outcome behaviour of interest in this study is the teacher’s engagement in workplace learning activities. Method – This is a a causal-comparative study which utilizes a survey method for data collection. The sample involved a total of 400 school teachers who were selected through a multistage cluster analysis sampling procedure. The data analysis involved an adoption of the two-step procedure. The first step was the analysis of the overall measurement model, followed by the analysis of the proposed structural model through structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings – Results indicated that three of five personality factors (conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness to experience) and how the teacher perceived the school as a learning organisation, are significant influences of teacher’s engagement in workplace learning activities. Based on the holistic approach in model evaluation, both the overall measurement model and the structural model were found to be adequately fit. Value – The study proposed a model which highlights the importance of personality factors and perceptions of the school as a learning organisation, and as significant contributors of workplace learning. Practical implications such as the improvement of personality items in the current teacher selection tool and the application of learning organisation in the school context are elaborated in this paper.
Highlights
Workplace learning has become an increasingly important concept underlying lifelong learning among workers
Teachers need to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills to keep themselves updated with the latest educational developments in pedagogical approaches and educational technology
This study has contributed to the body of knowledge previous research in that it highlights that a teacher’s personality traits and his/her perceptions of the school as a learning organisation are important factors that can contribute toward a teacher’s workplace learning
Summary
Workplace learning has become an increasingly important concept underlying lifelong learning among workers. Authors of the workplace learning literature, such as, Engestrom (1999), and Lave and Wenger (1991) viewed formal education as an inadequate form of learning that only a limited number of working people are able to participate in. This notion is true in the case of teachers in Malaysia, because the allocated budget and opportunities for teachers to further their studies or to attend off-site training are very limited. The researchers are looking into the individual learner, and the social and cultural aspects of learning (Hodkinson & Hodkinson, 2005)
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