Female Teachers Research Articles

A study of the doctoral preparatory behaviour of female teachers in independent colleges in China: The moderating role of perceived risk

This study is based on the theory of planned behaviour, and its aim is to understand the impact of doctoral pursuit intention on the doctoral preparatory behaviour of female teachers in independent colleges in China, as well as to determine the moderating effect of perceived risk between doctoral pursuit intention and doctoral preparatory behaviour. The participants in the study were female teachers from independent colleges in China, who were recruited between February and March 2024 based on convenience sampling. 776 valid questionnaires were obtained, and the data were analyzed using a hierarchical regression method. According to the results, a doctoral pursuit intention has a significant and positive predictive effect on doctoral preparatory behaviour, while the perceived risk has a significant and negative moderating effect between doctoral pursuit intention and doctoral preparatory behaviour. This indicates that female teachers with high doctoral pursuit intention more actively prepare to pursue a doctoral degree when the perceived risk is low, whereas the doctoral preparatory behaviour of those with high perceived risk shows a limited increase as their doctoral pursuit intention increases. Therefore, female teachers’ pursuit of a doctoral degree should be supported on an individual basis and analysed within the broader context of the transformation of independent colleges.

Critical pedagogical engagement with Muslim geographies

In this commentary, I delve into critical pedagogical engagement with Muslim geographies and the Dīn of Islam, daring to go beyond the decolonial. I begin with an exploration of Sidaway's (2023a) discussion of ‘decolonising Muslim Geographies’ in the context of the pedagogical engagement of a female Muslim teacher of geography. I will develop an argument which will encourage critical geographers to ‘learn’ from Muslim geographies in deep and meaningful ways through the rich influential and intellectual traditions within the Dīn of Islam. My reflections will directly respond to Sidaway's call for a possible paradigm shift within the parameters of Eurocentric thinking to share Islamic epistemologies embedded in my own pedagogical approach. This will encompass rich and diverse intellectual traditions of Islam and geographical understanding of the concept of al-Mizān (balance) for the world that we all share.

Relationship between voice impairment and stress coping styles in professionally active teachers.

The cause of voice problems in teachers are excessive voice strain, improper voice emission, and wrong emotional responses to occupational stress. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between subjective voice assessment of professionally active teachers treated for voice disorders and their stress-coping styles. The study included 174 female teachers participating in a 24-day voice rehabilitation program at a sanatorium hospital. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) self-assessment questionnaire was used to subjectively assess voice impairment. The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) questionnaire was used to assess coping styles. The VHI and CISS questionnaires were administered to the teachers at the beginning of the rehabilitation stay. Emotion-focused coping was shown to be associated with the subjective assessment of voice dysfunction as assessed by the VHI questionnaire for the total score and all of its dimensions (p = 0.04). In addition to proper voice emission, the prevention and rehabilitation of occupational voice disorders in teachers should also include stress management techniques, as this can help reduce the incidence of functional voice disorders in this occupational group.

Training needs for developing blended learning skills and strategies among Arabic language teachers in public schools

The study aimed to know the training needs for developing blended learning skills and strategies among Arabic language teachers in government schools. The researcher used the descriptive analytical approach. The study sample reached (265) male and female teachers of the Arabic language subject in government schools. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher prepared a questionnaire as a tool. The study consisted of (21) paragraphs. The study found that the training needs for developing blended learning skills and strategies among Arabic language teachers in government schools in Ma’an Governorate came in at a high level with an overall arithmetic average of (3.7775), as the results show that the paragraph: I provide students with some practical work through blended learning came in first place, where The arithmetic mean was (4.0852). The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the responses of Arabic language teachers regarding the training needs for developing blended learning skills and strategies due to the gender variable, while there were statistically significant differences due to variables of academic qualification and years of experience. Based on these results, the study recommended the need for teachers to develop the skills of designing and implementing.

Psychological empowerment and job burnout in Chinese kindergarten teachers: The mediating effect of occupational stress

We explored the role of occupational stress in the relationship between psychological empowerment and job burnout in kindergarten teachers. Chinese female kindergarten teachers (n = 243) were participants (mean age = 28.2 years, SD = 5.08 years; specialist and below = 64.6%, formal work systems = 37.9%). They completed surveys on psychological empowerment, occupational stress, and job burnout. Path analysis findings suggested that higher psychological empowerment was associated with lower job burnout. Lower occupational stress mediated the relationship between psychological empowerment and job burnout so that the teachers with a sense of psychological empowerment were likely to report less job burnout. The higher the psychological empowerment, the lower the occupational stress and lower job burnout relationship held for older age teachers and those with undergraduate degree or a higher level of education and formal employment. Kindergarten teachers should be supported in improving their psychological empowerment to reduce occupational stress, and thus, limiting their risk for job burnout.

Perception of job security and professional self‐esteem of teachers: A mixed method research

AbstractProfessional self‐esteem and job security perceptions of teachers are considered to be factors that increase their teaching performance and overall teaching quality. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between teachers' professional self‐esteem and job security perceptions in Turkey and to determine the impact of demographic characteristics on this relationship. In the study, the nested embedded mixed research method was preferred. For quantitative data, the professional self‐esteem and job security level of 660 respondent teachers were compared in terms of demographic characteristics (gender, marital status, education level, union membership, staff type, age, and years of service). For qualitative data, a structured interview form was utilized to examine the views of 54 participants about their profession. Our study reveals the intricate dynamics between teachers' professional self‐esteem and job security, emphasizing the role of gender, union membership, and career stage. The findings of the study revealed that female teachers demonstrated higher professional self‐esteem, likely due to their emotional intelligence and communication skills. Un‐ionized teachers reported greater professional self‐esteem, suggesting the positive influence of unions in safeguarding teachers' rights. Contract teachers, aware of job insecurity, exhibited elevated professional self‐esteem, indicating a drive for continuous skill development. Younger teachers (aged 21–30) displayed higher professional self‐esteem, emphasizing their enthusiasm and adaptability. These findings underscore the complex interplay between self‐esteem, job security, and external factors, with significant implications for teacher support and policymaking.

Instructor Gender Influences Non-Major’s Drawings of an Entomologist

The Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST) has been extensively researched as a projective test used to assess individuals’ perceptions of scientists. This study investigated student perceptions of entomologists and compared responses of students taught by a male instructor with responses of students who viewed video lectures recorded by the male instructor but interacted with a female instructor. Data were collected from two sections of an introductory entomology course at Oklahoma State University, with one section taught by a male instructor and the other by a female instructor using lecture recordings of the male instructor. Drawings were analyzed for characteristics including facial expression, clothing, equipment, presence of insects, race, and gender. The majority of drawings included smiling faces, glasses, and entomology equipment, while few students illustrated persons of color. Specific criteria to classify drawn entomologists as male, female, or non-gender figures were developed and used to assess drawings. The majority of students in both sections drew male entomologists, consistent with previous DAST studies where male scientists predominate. However, a higher proportion of female entomologists were depicted in the section who interacted with the female instructor. These findings emphasize the impact of instructor gender on students’ perceptions and stereotypes. Even when lectures are given by a male instructor, interaction with a female instructor can positively influence the gender representation in students’ drawings. Efforts should be made to promote diversity and inclusivity in instruction to increase underrepresented groups in science. This study contributes criteria to assess student depictions of gender and provides valuable insights into the gender representation and characteristics depicted in student drawings of entomologists. It highlights the influence of instructor gender on students’ perceptions and stereotypes in entomology and likely applies to other fields of biology.

CHALLENGES FACED BY TEACHERS IN APPLYING GAMIFICATION IN TEACHING ENGLISH

This study aimed to demystify the obstacles faced by English language female teachers in applying gamification strategy to develop English skills of the middle school students in Al-Taif city. The descriptive analytical approach was used to describe and analyze the phenomenon. A sample of 278 English language female teachers was randomly selected from Al-Taif schools using the stratification sampling method. Furthermore, a questionnaire, prepared by the researcher, was employed to get the necessary data from the sample members, after testing its reliability and validity. The results unveiled the multiplicity of obstacles faced by English language female teachers and limit the application of gamification. These challenges include the large number of teaching and administrative burdens, students´ overcrowding in the classrooms, weak readiness of the educational environment and its components when introducing gamification, and the high costs of designing and producing gamification into the curricula. Thus, this study urges the Education Ministry to adopt the principles of gamification in education, provide proper programs with suitable tools for that, develop teachers' abilities to employ gamification, and pay attention to the quality of programs and methods developing female teachers' skills. Moreover, it underscores the importance of providing schools with appropriate devices and tools that support the infra-structures for gamification. Significantly, the findings would provide all stakeholders with insights to understand the obstacles faced by English language teachers and the effects of gamification to overcome those obstacles.

Gender-focused Training for Non-university Teachers in Spain, through Social Media

The growth of social media has been suggested as a potential tool for teacher training and development. This study aims to identify patterns of SM use in the ongoing education of non-university teachers in Spain from a gender perspective. The research was based on a survey conducted between November 2021 and January 2022 involving 462 male and female non-university teachers. The data presented in this work reveals differences between teachers based on gender and associated patterns. It also highlights variables contributing to a better understanding of SM use and responsible use among female and male teachers. This study emphasizes teachers' role in implementing strategies to increase SM use among the studied population in Spain. This role requires promoting the dissemination and access to scientific knowledge from educational centres, training institutions, and university academic institutions. Actions should focus on providing relevant scientific content in appropriate and attractive formats to increase the use of SM as a continuous training resource.

Experiences, Attitudes, and Perceived Competence Regarding Sustainable Development Among Physical Education and Health Teachers in Sweden

Purpose: Literature suggest that physical education and health (PEH) may contribute to the sustainable development (SD) agenda, yet little is known how PEH teachers relate SD to their teaching practices. This paper explores Swedish upper secondary PEH teachers’ experiences and perceived competence regarding teaching SD as part of PEH. Method: An online questionnaire was used to examine SD competence. Data from 702 PEH teachers were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Results: PEH teachers perceive higher competence regarding the social dimension of SD compared to the economic and environmental dimensions. Female teachers and those with more than 15 years teaching experiences reported the highest perceived competence. Seventy percent of the respondents perceived that they lacked competence to teach SD. Discussion/Conclusion: PEH teachers struggle to relate SD to PEH practice and call for support to increase their competence in terms of how to conceptualize and transform SD into PEH teaching practice.

Exploring teacher characteristics and participation in TPACK-related online Teacher Professional Development in Assam, India

Recent years have seen a significant increase in professional development opportunities to support teachers in enhancing their digital skills in India. However, to date, there is little evidence that teachers are confidently harnessing digital technologies within their classrooms. We suggest that this may be explained by insufficient attention on how teachers’ participation in TPACK-focused teacher professional development (TPD) programmes is mediated by their values, prior experiences and positioning within society. To explore this, we examined government upper primary and secondary school teachers’ experiences of participating in a course entitled ‘Constructivist teaching and learning with technology within the TPACK framework’ (CTLT), which was offered to over 500 teachers in 23 districts in the Indian state of Assam. Based on the survey responses of 209 (pre-course) and 109(post-course) teachers, the findings of the study indicated that, contrary to expectations and much current scholarship, the female teachers significantly outperformed the male teachers in terms of course completion. However, the teachers who undertook the survey in English performed better than those who did so in Assamese. This paper explores possible reasons for these outcomes while recommending the need to take teacher characteristics into account when designing and implementing inclusive large-scale TPD programmes for TPACK.

여자교사체육교육공동체 원더티처의 결성과 활동 탐구

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the formation of the female teacher physical education community called Wonder Teacher and the professional development activities of physical education classes and to find their meaning. Methods: Participants in the study selected four of the management teams that can give in-depth answers to the story of community formation and program planning and operation. Participation and observation, documents, and in-depth interviews were used for data collection, and a qualitative research method was used to describe the formation and activities of Wonder Teacher, analyze them inductively, and interpret them. Results: As a result of the study, Wonder Teacher was formed for solidarity and harmony of female physical education teachers. The wandering of female physical education teachers led to the birth of a community through the awakening of the truth that they were not alone. The main activities of Wonder Teacher were found to be practical training by subject, online open lectures, and sports clubs, and each activity was pursuing customization, inclusion, and Work-life Blending. The researcher derived the meaning of Wonder Teacher formed for solidarity and harmony of female physical education teachers and continued various activities as an ensemble. In addition, the necessity of forming a teacher learning community with various ages, genders, and motivations was suggested. Conclusion: The formation and activities of Wonder Teacher, which started with the wandering of female physical education teachers, is leading to the improvement of female teachers' professionalism in physical education. These are the directions for voluntary professional development activities of female teachers through the teacher learning community. It is expected that this study will present implications for the composition, operation, and support of the in-service teacher education and teacher learning community and serve as the basis for research on the female teacher learning community in the field of physical education.

School Heads Leadership Competencies: A Comparative Analysis between the Perceptions of Male and Female Secondary School Teachers

This study seeks to investigate the insights of teachers about leadership competencies of secondary school heads in Malakand division. The study population consisted of 8481 teachers working in three districts i.e. Swat, Malakand and Dir lower. By using cluster sampling probability sampling method, 635 teachers were randomly selected as sample of the study. A highly valid and reliable questionnaire gathered data from secondary school teachers, revealing that heads exhibit strong competencies. Technical competency was highly observed, while conceptual competency was less so. No significant difference was found between male and female teachers' perceptions of school heads' leadership competencies. The study recommended that both pre and in-service trainings and leadership development programs may be arranged for heads to enhance their leadership competencies to effectively manage school activities. Senior teachers may also be involved in different school activities.

The Relationship between Resiliency, Psychological Empowerment, and Teacher Burnout across Different Genders: A Psychological Network Analysis.

Teacher burnout is one of the main reasons leading to decreased teaching performance and occupational mental health issues among teachers, drawing widespread global attention. Previous research has found that both resiliency and psychological empowerment can alleviate teacher burnout, yet there is no study simultaneously examining the relationships between resiliency, PE, and teacher burnout. Furthermore, previous studies have found gender differences in teacher burnout but have not examined the moderating effects of resiliency and psychological empowerment by gender group. Additionally, traditional analytical methods may overlook the compositional connections between these variables. To bridge this gap, we employed psychological network analysis to evaluate the psychological network of teachers with burnout across different genders. Findings indicate: (1) Female teachers exhibit a stronger link between their sense of departmental control and burnout, while male teachers show a stronger connection between solving instructional challenges and burnout. (2) Patience in male teachers' approach to teaching may enhance connections with their environment, and mastering job-relevant skills can boost male teachers' job happiness. (3) Female teachers' "I feel connected to others" demonstrates higher bridge centrality. In comparison, male teachers' "My work is vital to me" shows higher bridge centrality, indicating deeper connections with other symptom clusters. This study reveals the complex interactions among the factors of teacher burnout and investigates how gender differences influence the associations between these factors and burnout, by not only filling gaps in previous research but also offering new perspectives and strategies for understanding and intervening in teacher burnout, especially in the context of gender differences.

AI Training Program and its Impact on Improving Digital Stories Production Skills

The current research aims at improving the skills of producing digital stories using the tools of generative artificial intelligence Chat GPT and Google Bard, which are necessary for female student teachers’ specialization: Kindergarten. The current research has used the descriptive approach and the experimental approach with a quasi-experimental design through a design based on one group and comparing the differences between the pre and post-evaluation. The study sample was randomly selected from female students teachers specializing in kindergarten, and their number reached (25) students. A list of producing digital stories standards was prepared and controlled, and a graded performance rating scale was prepared to evaluate the skills of producing digital stories among female student teachers specializing in kindergarten. The results indicate the effectiveness of using the generative AI tools in improving digital stories production skills according to the criteria that were built in the current research.

명예퇴직 여성 교원이 경험하는 삶의 적응 과정에 관한 근거이론적 접근

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and explain the experiences that honorably retired female teachers have after retirement and the process by which they adapt to life. Accordingly, the research questions are: First, what is the life experienced by honorably retired female teachers, and what are the difficulties? Second, what are the adaptation processes and types of adaptation experienced by honorably retired female teachers? Methods: To this end, we used the grounded theory methodology of Strauss and Corbin (1998), selected research participants through theoretical sampling, conducted semi-structured questionnaires and in- depth interviews with eleven female teachers who had experienced honorable retirement within the past three years, and analyzed the raw data. Results: Open coding resulted in 483 concepts, 118 subcategories, and 21 categories. As a result, the causal condition was 'experiencing the limits of maintaining a teaching career', the central phenomenon was 'living as an ordinary person without any affiliation', and the contextual condition was 'accepting and transitioning to life as a retiree', action/interaction strategy was 'entering the process of self- integration', and the result was 'gradually satisfying the need for self-actualization'. The core categories derived from selective coding are 'entering a stable old age through acceptance of changes in life and self-reflection and then advancing to the stage of mature self-realization'. It was found to go through an adaptation stage of 'introduction period', 'confusion period', 'change period', and 'actualization period'. Conclusion: By presenting a theoretical framework for the post-retirement adaptation of honorably retired female teachers, it is expected to be used as a useful tool in active research on honorably retired female teachers and in the development of retirement adaptation programs.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS OF DIFFERENT LEVEL TEACHERS

This study aims to compare the environmental awareness among teachers at different levels—primary, secondary, and higher secondary—across government and private schools in Jammu City. A sample of 105 teachers was selected through random sampling and assessed using the Environmental Awareness Test for Teachers (EATT) by Dhawan (2011). The study revealed that less than 50% of teachers demonstrated average environmental awareness, with no significant differences found across the teaching levels or between male and female teachers. These results highlight the need for enhanced environmental awareness programs for educators, to better equip them to impart knowledge on environmental issues to students.

Attitudes of Slovenian School Teachers Towards Smart Educational Humanoid Robots in the Classroom

Robots are becoming an increasingly important part of our everyday lives and, consequently, of the education landscape. They can take many forms in education, from simple robots that students assemble and program to more complex (humanoid) robots that can, for example, travel distances when working remotely. The attitude of Slovenian teachers towards the introduction of smart educational humanoid robots into everyday school life was explored. A questionnaire was designed, and the current state of teachers’ attitudes was analysed based on the responses of participating teachers. The results show that negative attitudes towards the use of robots in the classroom prevail and that teachers do not feel qualified to integrate smart educational humanoid robots in education. Statistically significant differences between male and female teachers also emerge in some of the statements. However, teachers expressed positive attitudes towards concrete examples of robot use.

Teaching Strategies for Enhancing Reading Fluency and Comprehension Among Learners with Mild Hearing Impairment in Mainstream Classrooms

This paper presents the findings of a qualitative case study, which adopted the concept of communicative democracy to investigate the teaching strategies teachers use to enhance reading fluency and comprehension among learners with mild hearing impairment who were in mainstream classrooms. The purposively selected sample comprised two female teachers and 15 Grade 8 learners, aged between 14 and 15, from a public school in Gauteng province, South Africa. The data-collection methods included classroom observations and unstructured interviews with the teaching staff. Systematic sampling was used for the selection of suitable participants. Employing this technique meant acquiring a sample by selecting a random starting point close to the beginning of the target population list, and subsequently selecting every fourth name in a uniformly spaced unit thereafter. The findings revealed that the teachers’ use of strategies that emphasised active participation and learner-centred approaches considerably contributed to improving reading fluency and comprehension among learners with mild hearing impairment. These strategies included interactive reading activities, visual aids for vocabulary building, phonological awareness and rhyming techniques using visual aids, text immersion through peer collaboration, the adaptation of materials to suit individual learning needs, and word identification. The researcher concluded that learner-centred activities can be effective in enhancing reading fluency and comprehension amongst learners with mild hearing impairment. The recommendation is that future research should explore the long-term impact these teaching strategies have on the academic achievement and social inclusion of learners with mild hearing impairment in mainstream classrooms.

Impact of Teacher’s Effectiveness on the Acquisition of Skills in Early Childhood Education (ECE)

The study was conducted to explore teacher effectiveness in the development of skills in early childhood education (ECE). The aim of this research work was to know to what extent the teacher is effective in the development of skills in early childhood students. Thus, the performance of learners was evaluated based on the impact of ECE resource rooms on the skills development of learners from the teacher's perception. A total of 170 teachers were chosen from elementary and secondary schools as a sample of this study. The effectiveness of the teachers in early childhood education (ECE) was evaluated using a self-created questionnaire. Data entry and subsequent statistical analysis were conducted using the Social Sciences Statistical Package (SPSS 21). The results revealed that male and female teacher perceptions about utilizing ECE resource rooms were different among student skills and competency development. It was concluded that a healthy learning environment is considered to be supportive in augmenting the development of the brain, as well as social and physical. The resource rooms should be established to boost prospective teachers' imagination and enable them to create stories. Teachers should be encouraged to raise discussions among students to gain their attention and support the learning process.