The Development of Teacher Professional Identity at the University of Dar es Salaam : Perceptions and Influencing Factors

Abstract

The success of quality assurance in higher education depends on how well it is organised and the extent to which the stakeholders accept and own it. Indeed, how academicians perceive themselves, their profession, and others in the profession is reflected in their practice which in turn affects the quality of education being provided. This research investigated how various categories of university lecturers perceived their identity, and how the inception of professional development program has influenced the construction of professional identities. To achieve its research objective, the study deployed a mixed methods research of interviews and questionnaire design to collect pertinent information from 67 faculty members of the University of Dar es Salaam. The study established that the formation of teacher professional identity (TPI) has largely been influenced by the level of training in pedagogy, academic training, and practical experience as an academician. Continuing professional development programs have had little impact because of their sporadic occurrences. Similarly, the monitoring and evaluation of teaching, learning and assessment that is undertaken under the name of quality assurance is negatively perceived by some respondents as an imposition and encroachment on teacher autonomy. Four of the five dimensions of teacher professional identity identified by Wenger (1998) were observed in the respondents’ narratives, namely identity as negotiated experiences, identity as community membership, identity as learning trajectory, and identity as nexus of multi membership. The research findings suggest the need for more and systematic sensitisation of academic staff; sharing of a common understanding; use of professionals in curriculum, psychology and educational management; and systematic induction of newly-recruited staff.