Context Of Professional Development Research Articles

Emotion in Teacher Learning and Professional Development.

The purpose of the Current Insights feature is to highlight recent research and scholarship from outside the Life Sciences Education (LSE) community. In this installment, I draw together a collection of articles that explore the challenging emotions that emerge for teachers in learning and professional development contexts. Recent research has begun to deepen understandings of the role of emotions in learning-mostly studying students. The articles in this set extend that focus to teachers who, like students, can feel frustration, overwhelm, or fear when faced with challenges involved in learning. Insights from these articles can inform those working with teachers to support transformational change.

An Expert System on Flimsy Foundations: Teaching Expertise and the Early Career Framework

ABSTRACT The paper seeks to identify how teacher expertise is implicitly and explicitly conceptualised in current English education policy in respect of the professional development of teachers. We focus specifically on conceptualisations of expertise in the Early Career Framework (ECF), both in terms of the policy documentation produced by the Department for Education and in terms of a selection of publicly available materials produced by the lead providers of the ECF. We aim to locate these conceptualisations in terms of broader sociological and philosophical debates about the nature of expertise and its relationship to professional work, in addition to recent research on the policy context of teacher education and professional development in England. Our analysis reveals the inappropriacy of ‘expert systems’ approaches to expertise in educational contexts, the underlying assumptions embedded in policy in terms of what constitutes high-quality teaching practice and the insufficiency of relying on an appointed advisory group and organisations preferred by government for identifying and iterating criteria for expertise.

Exploration of science teaching self-efficacy outside professional development context for inquiry-based teaching

Exploration of science teaching self-efficacy outside professional development context for inquiry-based teaching

Unlocking in-depth forum discussion and perceived effectiveness: Teaching and social presence categories in online teacher communities

Online teacher communities constitute pivotal professional development contexts. Yet, there is no conclusive evidence on how best to conduct in-depth forum discussion for meaningful learning outcomes. This study combines qualitative comparative analysis of communities' forum transcripts to specify the teaching and social presence categories that promote in-depth forum discussion with teachers’ questionnaires for perceived effectiveness. Findings identify a successful online coordination and participation framework: teaching presence characterized by strong direct instruction combined with social presence exhibiting high levels of affective and cohesive discourse. This framework provides actionable insights for online professional learning communities with implications for educational research and practice.

Opportunities for teacher learning in teaching difficult histories: a social theory of learning perspective

ABSTRACT This study examined the learning trajectory of five US humanities teachers when navigating learning to teach the difficult history of school desegregation within a context of a six-month inquiry-based professional development. The research questions were: What do teachers frame as problems when teaching difficult histories? How do they reconceptualize and resolve the problems in a teacher community? The primary data included video recordings of small group discussions, where each teacher contributed lesson ideas for feedback from fellow teachers. Analysis drew from three modes of belonging, in conjunction with four dimensions of historical inquiry. The findings revealed that teachers often identified problems in teaching school desegregation by emphasizing issues related to teaching perspectives. However, through collaborative interactions with their colleagues, they were able to resolve these challenges. This was achieved by clarifying teaching goals, renegotiating the meanings of learning tasks, and selecting appropriate resources.

Developing the professional capacity of preschool teachers through pedagogical training activities

The primary purpose of educational programs is to enhance students’ knowledge and skills through pedagogical training activities. However, preschool teachers in Vietnam face limitations in their professional capacity. Thus, this study aimed to address issues by evaluating the level of implementation of pedagogical training activities for preschool education students. The study used a scale for students' pedagogical practice activities to gather quantitative data from 629 participants (managers, lecturers and preschool teachers) in Dong Thap province in Vietnam to assess the extent of implementation of pedagogical training activities for preschool education students. The results showed that preschool teachers may not possess the essential knowledge of pedagogical practices. Pedagogical training uses conventional work-and-activity techniques despite the fact that it prioritizes innovation. Moreover, all school managers, teachers and students recognized the necessity of developing the professional capacity of preschool teachers. These findings illustrate the critical need for revitalizing educational approaches that are consistent with Vietnam's developing preschool teacher professional development context. The present study proposes some measures to innovate pedagogical practice activities in order to meet the requirements for developing the professional capacity of preschool teachers in Vietnam. Such initiatives hold promise for reshaping the educational landscape and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the primary education sector of Vietnam.

Exploring the role of instructional leaders in promoting agency in teachers’ professional learning

This qualitative study used structural analysis of conversational episodes and content analysis to examine how two instructional leaders fostered teacher agency and collaboration in planning ongoing structures and content during a yearlong professional learning experience in one elementary school. Framed within a theory of agency, we found a merging of insider and outsider knowledge in the interactions between university partners and the two leaders of the English language arts leadership team that occurred across time, that agentive discourse was topically coherent among the leadership team as a collective group, and that the collective group maintained reflective and forward-looking common professional learning goals. We argue that meaningful professional development contexts position all participants in ways that value and trust their individual contributions and prompt them to act agentively to meet individual learning goals while maintaining a focus on the school’s collective goals.

Scientific Publication and Evaluation of Sustainable Teacher Professional Development: Research in Madrasah Aliyah Metro City

The paper aims to examine the significance of teachers' ongoing professional development in the realm of scientific publications at Madrasah Aliyah in Metro City, as an indication of their dedication to enhancing the standard of education. The researcher employed a comprehensive technique to evaluate the surrounding circumstances of teachers' continuous professional growth when designing the research methodology. Information was acquired via interviews, observation, and examination of pertinent documents. Data sources encompass input from educators, school administrators, and pertinent records pertaining to professional growth and training. Data analysis approaches, such as classification, synthesis, and mapping, are used to get a thorough grasp of the context of teacher professional development in the field of scientific publications. The research findings indicate that the state of teachers' ongoing professional growth in the area of scientific publications at Madrasah Aliyah Metro City is still confronted with several obstacles. Teacher participation rates typically exhibit a tendency towards being insufficient, primarily due to obstacles such as limited time availability and inadequate backing from educational institutions. This research formulates solutions to enhance teacher participation by comprehending the underlying cause of the problem. In order to foster the ongoing professional development of instructors in the field of scientific publications, it is anticipated that a comprehensive strategy, which includes capacity building and proactive institutional assistance, would be implemented to establish a favorable environment. This result emphasizes the significance of enhancing policies and providing targeted incentives to promote and motivate teachers to enhance their involvement in scientific publication endeavors.

Choosing Relevant Internet Assisted Course Types for Professional Development

Online courses for the professional development of workers in service is ever pervasive and continually growing. However, studies of teaching with technology are mostly conducted in K-12, pre-service, or higher education settings resulting in a lack of attention given to the professional development context. In addition, most studies tend to investigate learners instead of instructors, even though the latter are reportedly struggling in conducting online teaching. One of the struggles instructors face includes choosing effective technologically enhanced course types in line with the learning content. This study aims to alleviate the issue by investigating online courses in a professional development context, particularly one in a government institution namely the Financial Education and Training Agency (FETA) under the Indonesian Ministry of Finance. By analyzing curriculum documents followed by interviewing online instructors, the present study aimed to uncover practice-based considerations to guide the selection of course types for online courses. There were essentially three main course types at FETA: distance learning, web-based learning, and webinar courses, each suitable for various kinds of learning content.

Motivates that Influence Sharia Accounting Students to Become Auditors

The purpose of this research is to gather data on factors such as accounting knowledge, professional training, market considerations, and ethical scandals related to the interest of Sharia accounting students in pursuing a career as auditors. This research employs a quantitative approach with purposive sampling as the method of data collection, primarily through surveys. The data is analyzed using descriptive statistics, data testing, classical assumptions, and hypothesis testing techniques. The findings of the research indicate that factors such as accounting knowledge, professional training, and ethical scandals have an impact on the desire of Sharia accounting students to become auditors. However, the variable of market considerations does not influence the willingness of Sharia accounting students to pursue a career as auditors. This research contributes to the field by shedding light on the motivations and influences that drive Sharia accounting students to choose a career as auditors. It adds valuable insights into the factors that impact their career choices within the context of ethical considerations and professional development.

An integrated education programme for NDT professionals

Some years ago, the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) began work on a programme to integrate vocational qualification – for example certification that results from our highly successful PCN scheme – within the broader context of education and professional development. The aim was to create a programme that: • results in academic qualifications and engineering registration • improves the status of certificate holders • provides pathways for career development, including entry opportunities for school-leavers; and also • includes educational material - or links to access educational material. It is certainly the case in the UK that NDT has traditionally suffered from the fact that the subject of NDT is not very well known in its own right – even within the professional engineering community. It is not a mainstream discipline like physics or mechanical or electrical engineering. Certification is a vocational qualification and is not regarded in the same class as a degree – and of course there are fundamental differences, for example a degree is for life, whereas a certificate is usually temporary and has an expiry date. Very often there is no structured career development for NDT technicians… and no entry route for school leavers. In addition, it is a common challenge that there are insufficient new people coming into NDT. The overall result is a series of curricula, including degree courses and apprenticeship schemes, that provide an integrated education programme for NDT professionals.

Manufacturing cell reengineering for teaching Mechatronics Engineering

Next, the reengineering of a manufacturing cell is presented, as a didactic intervention in the teaching of Mechatronic Engineering, this redesign is proposed from a previously proposed cell and in which a FANUC R2000iA/210F industrial robot is incorporated. And with this modification to the cell, students are expected to develop linkage projects with the industrial sector of the State region. The results obtained by the teaching work team are the reengineering, simulation and proposal of educational intervention practices in which students reinforce the expected skills during their professional training and thus achieving the physical integration of the teams, bringing future engineers to the real contexts of professional development. The impact and relevance of reengineering is based on the fact that the graduation profile of mechatronics engineering establishes the synergy of mechanical, electronic, control and automation elements, to technologically improve companies in the region.

What are primary teachers’ experiences of policy on shaping a context of sustainable mathematics professional development?

ABSTRACT The author explored the extent to which policy could be a source of sustainable professional development for elementary teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching. The study involved three policies in England: the National Numeracy Strategy and the Primary National Strategy, introduced in response to concerns regarding mathematics teaching and student attainment, and a new National Curriculum. Professional development was offered to support teachers in the processes of changing their practice. This article focuses on the responses of eight teachers who suggest that the National Numeracy Strategy and the Primary National Strategy were useful sources of mathematical knowledge for teaching. However, the 2013 National Curriculum, along with the teaching for mastery policy, show how the teachers’ professional development had been rooted in policy enactments and was temporal. The author discusses the need for sustainable professional development to facilitate teachers’ continuous enhancement of their mathematical knowledge for teaching within a changing policy landscape.

Examining Implicit Biases of Pre-Service Educators Within a Professional Development Context.

The opportunity gap, or conditions and barriers that impede the academic performance and school experience of minoritized students, may be exacerbated by educators' implicit biases. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand preservice educators' awareness of individual, structural, and systemic racism with regard to implicit bias. Our sample included 154 preservice educators, enrolled in an anti-bullying/harassment/discrimination training, which is required for any New York State (NYS) educator certification. Educators responded to questions about group generalizations, factors contributing to these biases, and how biases may affect their behavior toward students. Our content analysis revealed several themes, most notably that frequent biases existed toward Asian/Asian Americans, Black/African Americans, males, and people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Although participant responses reflect an open-minded approach to discussing bias, many responses reflected no observable desire to change potentially biased interactions with students. Responses with racially held biases aligned with the tenets of critical race theory (CRT), particularly racism as permanent and racism as normalized. Implications for practice, with an emphasis on anti-bias training and professional development, are discussed.

Choosing Relevant Internet-Assisted Approaches for Professional Development Courses

Online teaching and learning for the professional development of workers in service is ever pervasive and continually growing. Yet, studies of learning with technology are mostly conducted in K-12, pre-service, or higher education settings resulting in a lack of attention given to the professional development. In addition, most studies are investigating learners instead of instructors, even though the latter are reportedly struggling in conducting online teaching. One of the struggles instructor faces includes choosing effective technologically enhanced pedagogy that are in line with the learning contents and intents. This study aims to alleviate the issue by investigating online learning in a professional development context, particularly one in a government institution such as the Financial Education and Training Agency (FETA) under the Indonesian Ministry of Finance. By analyzing curriculum documents known as program syllabi of 148 online courses conducted by FETA, informed by a prevailing theory of adopting educational technology known as the Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition (SAMR) model, the study found the majority of courses were under Substitution category for uses of technology, followed by Modification and Augmentation categories. Redefinition category had the least number of courses. Characteristics of each use of technology are explained in the Findings and Discussion section. It is hoped that the uses of technology explicated in this study will be useful for guiding the practice of crafting a defensible curriculum for online learning in professional development contexts.

Interpersonal issues in knowledge sharing: the impact of professional discretion in knowledge sharing and learning communities

ABSTRACT This study aims to provide insight into individual teachers’ behaviour and decisions regarding the exchange of knowledge, focusing on status, interdependence and reciprocity, and psychological safety. It highlights the key role of the individual professional in knowledge-sharing and professional development contexts. A social-constructivist perspective and qualitative design (case study) were employed. Eighteen teachers in upper-secondary vocational education were questioned in interviews or focus groups. Data was analysed by coding, interrelating, and reasoning. Results show how professional discretion directs intercollegial communication and sharing. Interpersonal issues (status, safety, and reciprocity) influence decisions about sharing with or withholding knowledge from certain colleagues. Consequently, professional development and processes of sharing and managing knowledge are in danger of falling flat when ignoring the individual’s impact. This emphasises the importance of individual professionals’ attitudes and preferences, and informal, social structures in approaches to professional development, knowledge-sharing practices, and learning communities.

Science Teachers’ Negotiation of Professional Vision around Dilemmas of Science Teaching in a Professional Development Context

ABSTRACT Learning to teach is a culturally situated activity. As teachers learn, it is important to understand not only what teachers learn, but how they learn. This article describes a qualitative case study of a subset of four teachers’ learning during a professional development surrounding a plate tectonics curriculum. Using qualitative methods, this study tells the story of how the four teachers negotiated professional vision for science teaching around dilemmas that emerged throughout the professional development. By taking a sociocultural perspective on professional vision, researchers can gain insight into how and what teachers learn in professional development settings because it renders teacher learning complex and nuanced. Additionally, we argue negotiating professional vision parallels sensemaking. Sensemaking around science teaching includes grappling with epistemic issues of science in addition to pedagogy and curriculum. Implications for science teacher education are discussed. Specifically, we argue learning to teach requires teachers to engage in conversations that create opportunities to “get somewhere” in relation to dilemmas they have about teaching. In this way, professional vision is an ongoing process of learning that has no endpoint or ideal articulation of teaching or science. Therefore, by framing professional vision as a process of learning we are able to push back on simplistic descriptions of teaching and science.

Ethical dilemmas in community interpreting: interpreters’ experiences and guidance from the code of ethics

ABSTRACT Community interpreters (or public service interpreters) work in a variety of contexts, including health, legal, and governmental service provision. Although the field is characterised by diversity, community interpreters may be unified by the relevant professional code of ethics. Previous studies have shown that case deliberation in educational settings can be valuable to practitioners in developing the skills to resolve ethical dilemmas in practice. This study explored ethical dilemmas experienced by community interpreters working in policing and other contexts. Transcripts of interviews with 20 Australian community interpreters were analysed to document the types of ethical dilemmas discussed and the salience of ethical principles in resolving them. Participants referred to all ethical principles from the Australian Code of Ethics. Four themes were identified in the types of dilemmas that participants reported: wanting to help one of the parties, not wanting to say what the parties said, pressure to take on another professional’s role, and disagreeing with another interpreter’s choices. Participants’ resolutions of ethical dilemmas mostly aligned with principles from the Code. The study highlights the significance of professional ethics to community interpreters and provides examples from practice that may be valuable in community interpreter education, training and professional development contexts.

The structural and micropolitical realities of physical literacy professional development in the United Kingdom: navigating professional vulnerability

ABSTRACT This research examines the implications of professional vulnerability (PV) during physical literacy (PL) teacher professional development, through the lens of structural and micropolitical theory in the United Kingdom (U.K.). The research was conducted over a twelve-week period with qualified teachers across primary and secondary school contexts, within the U.K. Semi-structured interviews were used to capture the professional development journey of each teacher. Thematic analysis and pen profiles were used to analyse and present the findings of the semi-structured interviews. The results explore expressions of teacher vulnerability through the structural and micropolitical realities experienced during PL professional development. Structural realities were categorised using the political (macro), organisational (meso) and structural (micro) levels with the micropolitical realities categorised using the power dynamics of power over, with and through. This paper calls for the contextual element of professional development to be given as much consideration as the content itself. Professional development can be more effective by connecting the ‘what’ and ‘how’ alongside an understanding of the ‘where’ and ‘who’. Structural and micropolitical theory and PV offer glimpses into this contextual world, revealing a different but equally important narrative around the wider context of successful and meaningful PL teacher professional development. Finally, the study identifies aspects of transferability into the wider domains of sport coaching and sport development where PL is becoming increasingly visible.

Emerging professional identities: motivations for choosing early education as a minor subject in Finland

ABSTRACTThis qualitative study examines the professional development of early education preservice teachers and the initiatives behind the formation of a professional identity in the early stages of their studies. Professional identity is examined through the motivational factors that guide students to a minor in early education. The theoretical framework draws on educational science and sociology and defines the context of professional development, professional identity, and motivation in the social environment. Narrative data have been analyzed using the FIT-Choice Scale, and the analysis has been further elaborated by classifying narratives into the three identity types of confident, strengthened, and cautious. The research mainly confirms international results on motivational factors influencing career choices in teaching. The results also provide a broader perspective on the impact of the local education system and the labor market on professional development and the formation of professional identity. Additionally, the results challenge the ideal of the preservice teacher. The research benefits not only teacher educators but also policy makers as well as preservice teachers who form their professional identity in the midst of various uncertainties and requirements.