Characteristics Of Effective Professional Development Research Articles

The search for evidence-based features of effective teacher professional development: a critical analysis of the literature

ABSTRACT Scholarly efforts to identify core design features for effective teacher professional development have grown rapidly in the last 25 years. Many concise lists of design principles have emerged, most of which converge on a consensus of 5–7 presumably ‘effective’ features (e.g. collaborative tasks, active learning, focus on content). The proliferation and convergence of reviews create the impression that this consensus is based on strong evidence from large-scale, replicated, and rigorously controlled research studies. We critique the empirical foundation on which conclusions about evidence-based design features for teacher professional development have been based, by the same evidential standards that have been adopted within this field of scholarly work. We conclude that the empirical foundations for these lists are problematic and that claims to methodological rigour are misleading as they are based on flawed inferences. We further argue that the ambition to identify general features of effective professional development is also problematic, and reflect on why, despite its weaknesses and potentially adverse consequences for research and practice, we as a field continue to herald this consensus. We call for greater focus on the development, testing, and refinement of theories about teacher professional learning in order to advance understanding, policy, and practice in the field.

The effectiveness of virtual CASE institute professional development: A participant perspective

The Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) utilized, for the first time, a virtual method of delivery to train and certify teachers across the country in the summer of 2021. This study was created to research the effectiveness of the virtual CASE professional development (PD) sessions, determine the usefulness of the CASE Institute technology and virtual format, and determine the effectiveness of Lead Teacher facilitators on participant learning. Six features of effective professional development were utilized as the framework to guide the study. A descriptive survey was conducted among the participants who were certified in a virtual CASE course in the summer of 2021. From this survey, researchers were able to conclude that the participants found the PD effective because they were confident in the material learned and felt prepared to implement the material into the classroom. The participants highly remarked on the usefulness of the technology and materials and the effectiveness of the Lead Teachers. From the findings of this study, a list of recommendations has been collected for further research and practice in the use of virtual PD for CASE and other education programs. It is recommended for future virtual professional development events for the facilitator to be very intentional about promoting a community of practice among participants and facilitating peer-to-peer interaction.

Snacks, shoulders, and sleep: factors that influence teachers’ professional development decision-making

ABSTRACT The professional development literature has identified characteristics of effective professional development and investigated teachers’ reasoning for their professional development choices. A thorough understanding of teachers’ decision-making about their professional development choices can assist providers in developing opportunities that teachers are likely to uptake. This article reports on a study that examined teachers’ self-reported decision-making around professional development with the intent of further refining the field’s understanding of their choices. The 22 participants were teachers who participated in semi-structured interviews that elicited their responses to questions about the types of professional development in which they participated. The findings reveal how teachers are influenced to attend professional development and shed further light on the nature of the considerations teachers make when faced with professional development choices. We argue that these understandings can be leveraged to design professional development opportunities that will appeal to teachers.

Designing a research experience for teachers: applying features of effective professional development to a hybrid setting

ABSTRACT To facilitate transfer of teachers’ learning into classroom practice, science and engineering teacher professional development (PD) experiences should increase teachers’ content knowledge, disciplinary practices, and pedagogical strategies. As this can be difficult within traditional PD contexts, this study is a qualitative investigation of hybrid PD program design. The author explores influences on five teachers’ learning and instruction when seven features of effective PD, derived mainly from traditional PD, were integrated into both the pedagogical and practice components of a hybrid Research Experience for Teachers (RET) PD. Through constant comparative analysis of interviews, reflections, artifacts, and classroom observations, the author discovered that explicit connections between the seven features across pedagogical and disciplinary aspects of the RET facilitated teachers transferring their learning into classroom practices in ways applicable to their specific contexts. Thus, these seven features of effective PD hold promise as an organizing framework for designing and evaluating a hybrid PD.

Teacher Changing the Discipline: A Case Study of Participatory Professional Development

In this case study, we explored an innovative Professional Development (PD) approach where teachers were positioned as experts and drivers of change. Simplified as Participatory PD, Michigan State University Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Education faculty constructed an experience for Michigan AFNR Educators following the characteristics of effective PD. We then employed a case study design to explore AFNR Educators’ perceptions of the Participatory PD experience. Seventeen AFNR Educators engaged in the participatory PD. During the PD, educators were tasked with creating a state-wide AFNR Education curriculum resource. Data collection included focus group interviews with teacher-participants, a facilitator interview, researcher observations, and researcher reflections. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a multi-stage process based on the constant comparative method of analysis. Four themes emerged from the data: (a) Professional Development, (b) Learning, (c) Perspective, and (d) SBAE Change. Conclusions from the case study include a discussion of the outcomes reached by teacher-participants who engaged in the participatory PD, the essential role of collective teacher expertise in achieving those outcomes, and teacher preference for the participator PD approach. Recommendations include the need for additional research on participatory PD alongside recommendations for leaders in AFNR Education to implement participatory PD.

Key Features of Effective Professional Development

Professional Development (PD) is generally defined as intentional efforts to improve practices based on continuous learning in every practice to acquire integrated knowledge (Guskey, 2000). It has been playing a key role in all aspects of career development as people keep sharpening their current skills to improve their performance in their workplace. In the field of language education, teacher professional development means teachers’ learning, which is concerned with the way teachers learn and the ways their pedagogical skills are applied in their classrooms to support students’ learning during the fulfillment of their teaching careers (Postholm, 2012). Generally, teachers’ ongoing learning has been underscored because the success of their careers will never depend solely upon the acquisition of knowledge from schools (Karacabey, 2020), regardless of their preparation at the end of their pre-service training (Bailey, 2013). According to Çimer et al. (2010), to keep teachers flexible, innovative and well-informed about the trends in language education, ongoing PD during their teaching careers are vitally important for them to increase their knowledge and skills to deal with any issues in their teaching.

Contemporary trends in professional development of teachers: importance of recognising the context

PurposeWhereas the achievement of students has closely been linked with the quality of teachers and there is a bulk of literature supporting the need of teachers' preparation in enhancing their quality, professional development (PD) of teachers has been a central focus of reform initiatives in education across the globe. This paper aims at analysing the existing literature on PD of teachers to reflect on the models and characteristics of effective PD, and to highlight the importance of context in PD of teachers.Design/methodology/approachTo respond to the aim of the paper, a search in the field of pedagogy in Education Resource Information Centre (ERIC) was undertaken. The search strings used were “models of teachers' professional development”, “characteristics of teachers professional development” and “context in professional development” restricted to time period from 2000 to 2020.FindingsThe major argument this paper presents is that the models and characteristics of PD are relative and there is no uniform model to be implemented across contexts. Instead of debating the models and characteristics of effective PD, academics and practitioners have to be watchful to the context and the real needs of teachers in a particular context.Originality/valueThe paper critiques the generalisation of Western generated PD models to the developing world especially Pakistan which the existing research and literature is silent about.

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) for professional development: meeting the needs and expectations of physical education teachers and youth sport coaches

ABSTRACT Background Professional development (PD) in a range of occupations has become increasingly digitised. Numerous digital courses are available, with evidence that social media, blogs and apps are increasingly being used for PD. Yet despite clear benefits, there is little robust evidence on the characteristics of digital PD that impact positively on learning and practice, particularly for physical education (PE) teachers and youth sport coaches. This paper provides new insights into the characteristics of effective PD in the context of a complex digital landscape. Purpose While advocated as an innovative genre from which to optimise learners’ proclivity for sharing, curiosity and discovery, little is known about how professional learners respond to massive open online courses (MOOCs) courses to inform their practice. The purpose of this study was to understand how participants responded to the learning design of two MOOCs (n = 13,104 from 155 countries) in the fields of physical education and youth sport coaching. Methods Drawing from a mixed methodology, data were generated from semi-structured interviews (n = 27) and online survey methods (n = 66) with participants across both MOOCs. Findings New data offer insights into the features of course design that practitioners found positive in promoting engagement. It was apparent in the data, for example, that four features were influential: establishing relevance, facilitating bridging, designing for personalisation, and building community. Constructed themes reflect how participants organised and negotiated MOOC experiences, and illuminate the ways in which they navigated and used course content. Evidence from this study provides insights into the ways in which digital genre for PD might be structured to facilitate engagement and presents broader challenges to the ways in which pedagogy is conceptualised and practiced online. Conclusions The refined focus on digital genre as a form of social action in this study seeks to ensure that learners needs can be met in a complex and ever-changing PD digital landscape. In this regard, a more nuanced approach is required that helps explicate the cognitive tools that participants engage as they organise their learning experiences on digital platforms, and how this aligns with their expectations and needs of online PD.

Identifying the characteristics of effective teacher professional development: a critical review

ABSTRACT Several influential reviews and two meta-reviews have converged on the position that teacher professional development (PD) is more effective when it is sustained, collaborative, subject specific, draws on external expertise, has buy-in from teachers, and is practice based. This consensus view has now been incorporated in government policy and official guidance in several countries. This paper reassesses the evidence underpinning the consensus, arguing that the reviews on which it is based have important methodological weaknesses, in that they employ inappropriate inclusion criteria and depend on an invalid inference method. The consensus view is therefore likely to be inaccurate. It is argued that researchers would make more progress identifying characteristics of effective professional development by looking for alignment between evidence from basic research on human skill acquisition and features of rigorously evaluated PD interventions.

Examining Factors Contributing to Variation in Effect Size Estimates of Teacher Outcomes from Studies of Science Teacher Professional Development

Developing and maintaining a high-quality science teaching corps has become increasingly urgent with standards that require students to move beyond mastering facts to reasoning and arguing from evidence. Effective professional development (PD) for science teachers enhances teacher outcomes and, in turn, enhances primary and secondary student outcomes. What constitutes effective PD? Although proposed features of effective PD have emerged, they have little empirical support. Even when impact studies of PD interventions are conducted, factors unrelated to PD design characteristics can influence effect size estimates. Can we statistically isolate PD design characteristics from factors unrelated to PD design that nevertheless influence effect size estimates? We conducted a meta-regression with robust variance estimation (RVE) of 162 science PD intervention studies. We investigated how effect size estimates for teacher outcomes vary by research design, study context, PD intervention characteristics, and outcomes of interest. Intensity and duration of PD, research design decisions, and researchers’ choice of outcomes of interest significantly influence effect size estimates.

The Characteristics of Effective Professional Development That Affect Teacher’s Self-Efficacy and Teaching Practice

Many research suggests that effective professional development (PD) can help teachers increase their knowledge, skills and understanding about teaching. Research evidence also indicates that good quality PD enhances teacher sense of efficacy. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of good quality PD that affect teachers’ self-efficacy from the perspective of junior secondary English Language teachers in Indonesia. Data derived from the initial and follow-up questionnaires, TSG observations, and semi-structured interviews. The findings found that English language teachers perceived good quality PD are those activities that increase teachers’ knowledge and teaching skills, encourages collaboration, and is based on teachers’ classroom practical needs. The study suggests the need to involve teachers in the process of planning, designing, and implementing PD in order to maximize its benefits.

Video-triggered professional learning for general practice trainers: using the ‘cauldron of practice’ to explore teaching and learning

ABSTRACTMany clinicians who take on a formal role of supervising or teaching trainees need to be taught how to teach and then continuously improve as educators. We describe the research-informed design of a novel professional development intervention that may be perceived by clinical educators as challenging, but being based on the key features of effective professional development is likely to lead to changes in their teaching practices. The video-club brings together a small group of clinical educators who have a shared interest in exploring their educator role and their teaching practices. It supports their learning through collective inquiry, using video-recordings of their authentic teaching practices as stimuli for discussion. A pilot has produced findings that are promising in terms of outcomes and impact. Participants responded to the educational design in the way that was envisioned and engaged with the requisite risk-taking and vulnerability that was necessary for their own learning and promoting learning for others.

PURSUING FUTURE FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The study was aimed to determine the importance of pursuing professional development of foreign language teachers. Three approaches to professional development such as theory-to-practice, coaching/mentoring and reflection are identified. The scientists’ outlooks on the given issue are analyzed. Some recommendations for using mobile technologies in professional development are highlighted. Characteristics of effective professional development are substantiated in the study. Teachers’ effective professional development activities are outlined.

Primary School Teachers’ Opinions on Professional Development (Professional Development Model Proposal)

The purpose of this study is to provide a model for effective professional development by taking the opinions of the primary school teachers on professional development. Grounded theories and techniques which are qualitative research methods have used in the research. Twenty primary school teachers from a district, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul participated in the study, and the data were collected through interview. To reach the model, firstly, the opinions of the participants about the concept of professional development, the processes of providing professional development and the characteristics of effective professional development were taken. The opinions about the idea of professional development are in three sub-categories: change, experience, and burnout; views on the processes of ensuring professional development are in four sub-categories: physical conditions, technology, academic resource, and training process and opinions on the characteristics of effective professional development are being convenience to the needs, right of choice, appropriate content selection, development strategy, active learning environment, and cooperation. In the light of these results, effective professional development model categories are feeling a need, goal setting, planning, development process, and evaluation respectively and these categories constitute a cycle in itself. It was concluded that there should be support and monitoring activities to ensure coordination between the main categories and teacher(s).

A Comparison of Professional Development Practices in Rural and Urban High School

Because standards-based reform emphasizes improved teaching as the best path to increased learning and improved student performance, one would expect high performing schools to be implementing effective professional development practices. This study examines professional development practices in high performing urban and persistently low achieving rural high schools in Kentucky. Findings from the non-experimental descriptive study suggest similarities in professional development practices between the two groups. Differences existed in how well leadership addresses teacher professional development needs and in sufficient training to utilize instructional technology. Characteristics of effective professional development are not being fully implemented in either group of schools.

Exploring practices of science coordinators participating in targeted professional development

AbstractThis study describes how district science coordinators supported teachers and implemented professional development in their districts following participation in the Science Coordinator Academy. This qualitative descriptive case study comprised three district science coordinators from three districts in a mid‐Atlantic state, as well as principals and teachers from those districts. Data sources, including observations, surveys, artifacts, and interviews, were analyzed using the framework method (Gale, Heath, Cameron, Rashid, & Redwood, 2013). District context, science coordinator background, and collaboration were salient factors that influenced coordinator practices and coordinators’ abilities to impact teacher change. We hypothesize that the development of a coaching relationship, facilitating collaboration among teachers, utilizing the characteristics of effective professional development, and promoting reflection through modeling and feedback may be the most important reflection‐growth model of instructional leadership (Blase & Blase, 1999) practices for science coordinators to enact when working with teachers.

Modern Trends in Continuous Professional Development of Foreign Language Teachers (On the Basis of the British Council Research)

Abstract Research conducted by the British Council concerning modern continuous professional development of teachers has been analyzed. The issue concerning foreign language teachers’ professional development has been considered. Productive approach to this process that gives a teacher the opportunities to define aspects of their professional activities that are in need of improvement and introduce appropriate strategies of their own professional development has been characterized. Direct connection between continuous teachers’ professional development and the level of students’ academic achievements has been stressed. Key characteristics of effective professional development have been defined, namely: being correspondent to actual needs of teachers and students; teachers’ involvement into the decision making concerning the content and the fulfillment of professional development; provision of cooperation and teachers’ experience exchange; collegiality presupposing common work of teachers and educational establishments in general; practicality, that is the fulfillment of professional development directly in the process of teachers’ work in class; obligatory character of professional development as indispensable part of teachers’ work; constant reflection and research; prioritizing academic achievements of students as the main stimulus for professional learning of teachers; continuity of professional development and its consideration not as separate forms of work. Modern widely used forms of teacher professional development have been analyzed, namely: self-education, common lessons planning with their further analysis; professional discussions concerning new teaching techniques and the appropriateness of their application; reflexive groups for teaching experience exchange and lessons analysis (video recording of lessons or students’ works), observation/attending teachers’ lessons with their further discussion in constructive form and without formal evaluation; participation in professional learning communities to solve urgent issues concerning school work and teachers’ professional activities; common work of teachers with curricula for detailed studying of problematic issues and their elimination; common teachers’ elaboration of learning materials for definite groups of students; participation in mentoring programs; work in online educational communities It has been proved that modern professional development of foreign language teachers shifts its focus from the competency of a teacher to the level of students’ academic achievements which is the direct indicator of a teacher’s competency.

Design principles for effective video-based professional development

BackgroundMost studies of teacher professional development (PD) do not rigorously test impact on teaching practice and student learning. This makes it difficult to define what is truly “effective.” The Science Teachers Learning from Lesson Analysis (STeLLA) PD program, in contrast, was studied in a cluster randomized experimental design that examined impact on teaching practice and student learning. The STeLLA video-based PD (VbPD) program demonstrated significant impact, with high effect sizes, on elementary teachers’ science teaching practice and their students’ learning. Previously published reports provide details about research methods and findings but only broad sketches of the STeLLA program design and implementation. Deeper explorations of the STeLLA design principles can contribute evidence-based knowledge about the features of effective PD and enrich the existing but limited consensus model of effective PD. This article addresses the following questions:What design principles guided the development, implementation, leadership, and scaling up of a video-based PD program that had significant impact on student learning?What do the STeLLA design principles contribute to the existing knowledge base about effective video-based PD?ResultsResults from rigorous studies of the STeLLA program are summarized in this paper; details are reported elsewhere and included here as supplementary materials. This article is not a standard research results paper but instead describes the design principles guiding the development, implementation, leadership, and scaling up of the STeLLA VbPD program.ConclusionsThe authors argue that this set of design principles is powerful for four reasons: 1) its demonstrated impact on teaching practice and student learning, 2) its strong theoretical and research foundations, 3) the stability and usefulness of the design principles as implemented in changing contexts over a 10-year period, and 4) the coherence and interconnectedness of the principles. The STeLLA VbPD design principles contribute to the field by empirically supporting and advancing the existing consensus model of effective PD. Further study can build on this effort to strengthen our understanding of effective PD based on evidence of impact on teaching practice and student learning.

Examining the design features of a communication-rich, problem-centred mathematics professional development

ABSTRACTWhile there is considerable scholarship describing principles for effective professional development, there have been few attempts to examine these principles in practice. In this paper, we identify and examine the particular design features of a mathematics professional development experience provided for middle grades teachers over 14 weeks. The professional development was grounded in a set of mathematical tasks that each had one right answer, but multiple solution paths. The facilitator engaged participants in problem solving and encouraged participants to work collaboratively to explore different solution paths. Through analysis of this collaborative learning environment, we identified five design features for supporting teacher learning of important mathematics and pedagogy in a problem-solving setting. We discuss these design features in depth and illustrate them by presenting an elaborated example from the professional development. This study extends the existing guidance for the design of professional development by examining and operationalizing the relationships among research-based features of effective professional development and the enacted features of a particular design.

Measuring the impact of professional development for student-centred pedagogies: a mixed-methods study

Shifts towards student-centred pedagogies require high-quality professional development to support teacher learning. Although many characteristics of effective professional development have been identified, such programmes still struggle to demonstrate successful results. This mixed-methods study investigated the development of student-centred practices in middle-school teachers in the USA in response to a programme of professional development. Participants engaged in individualized programmes of professional development built around personal action research projects. Quantitative results showed a significant decline in student-centred practices, and explanatory qualitative data indicated differences in the perception of the focus of the professional development and engagement with dissemination. Mixed analyses indicated previously unobserved similarities across participants, highlighting the difficulty of measuring the impact of professional development using only quantitative or qualitative approaches. The impact of this professional development and implications for the study of similar programmes are discussed.