In-service Teacher Training Research Articles

Constancy Amidst Change

Using a scholarly personal narrative, I share about my first year pretending to be a deputy director, responsible for ‘faculty training’ under the Center of Open and Digital Teaching and Learning in an open university. My reflections over time in storied form as part of teaching and learning with colleagues (Ingersoll, 2018) aim to illuminate what constitutes our ongoing and best practices within the institution’s so called Open and Distance eLearning programs or ODeL (Alfonso, 2014). I branded a series of faculty learning activities as “T&L Convoes” to bring to the fore topics worth talking about, like an online version of stories we would normally share over ‘merienda’ or breaktime. Focused group discussions were undertaken to interrogate how faculty members learn best, and their current practices which seemed to work as examined through the lens of teaching presence, an element of the Community of Inquiry framework by Garrison et al. (2000). I also inquired about what else they would like to learn, hence topics for the T&L Convoes tackled assessment for student success, managing large-sized classes, doing synchronous live classes and faculty-tutor dynamics. As I reexamined recorded sessions (stored data) of our T&L Convoes, I found myself taking a critical stance, asking whether we as an open university and champions of ODeL are in fact contributing innovative teaching practices or do we simply come across as such because of the technologies we choose to enhance our practice. Findings which constitute our best practices boiled down to engagement of active and independent learning through course site features, use of direct or explicit instructions, facilitation of critical discourse, timely feedback on submissions, and intentional learning community-building efforts (Villanueva & Eacersall, 2024). I also highlighted shared issues among faculty members which to my mind were seemingly a blast from my past as a newbie higher education faculty, fifteen years back. These concerns were related to a sense of disconnectedness, grading/marking assignments, finding time for research and publication as well as work life balance. I resolved to no longer pretend but sustain these worthwhile engagements with fellow faculty members by banking on social presence and cognitive presence. These “T&L Convoes” may be optimized to trigger curiosity and exploration alongside other peer-learning activities which should comprise a wholistic approach to faculty development experiences. Grounded on constancy of purpose (Dye, 1991), I choose to persevere in order to drive this reflexivity further on to ascertain whether there will be integration and resolution to all we say and do as faculty members within our ODeL programs. The importance of a personal and reflexive approach to determine peer-learning sessions with colleagues is affirmed as an optimal way to make a needs-based, just-in-time learning happen, versus the so-called ‘in-service teacher training’ residential universities are accustomed to undertaking. Effective use of technology enabled us to operate as colleagues learning from each other’s practices, equally reinforcing the communities of practice (Wenger, 2000) as a supreme pedagogy we shall continue to own up to amid the ever-changing landscape of open universities.

Situating inservice teacher training in reform community of developing holistic competence to engage practice

This article investigates the situating of inservice teacher training (TT) in teaching-learning, education, and other sector reform communities for developing holistic competence to engage practice. It vignettes a holistic inservice TT resilience to situate in an often transient reform community of developing capacity to engage practice, including competence-based education (CBE) reform that often spews vague ideas in pieces amid low incentive and commitment to undergo practice. To assist, this article adopts the situated learning lens to investigate the extent to which contextualising inservice TT in authentic teaching-learning reform community resources develops competence to engage practice. In this holistic regard, the article mixes text, interview, and questionnaire methods involving 420 Cameroon inservice TT-CBE reform community subjects as part of the global education-for-all-practice reform flow. From findings, few teachers undergo narrow inservice training and lead few partners in reform oration, resenting few means and evading complex teaching-learning reform community practices. Inservice TT’s bare oration of public education policy and reform community changes prepares teachers to facilitate teacher-centred acquisition of less competence than what learners need to engage practice. The article opines ongoing inservice TT preplanning-research, onsite activity, and outcome sustainability themes to further situate in authentic reform community resources to develop holistic competence to engage complex practice.

The Road to Sustainable Peace: Galtung’s concept of positive peace as a framework to examine post-war reconstruction initiatives in Syria

Premised on Galtung’s theory of positive peace (1969), this study examines whether the Syrian government’s post-war initiatives to reconstruct the education sector aim to promote a culture of positive peace. Data is obtained from semi-structured interviews with twelve participants consisting of senior government officials, teacher educators from a public university and the equivalent of pre-service and in-service teacher training centres within a government-held area. The validity of meaning developed from interview data was also assessed through cross-checking emerging patterns with document examination. Research findings reveal that the government’s current approach to reconstruction is based on a negative concept of peace that aims to bring life back to ‘normal’ as it was before the conflict.

EFFECT OF IN-SERVICE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM ON TVET TRAINERS PERFORMANCE IN TECHNICAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RWANDA,A CASE OF KICUKIRO DISTRICT

The general objective of this study was to examine the influence of an in-service teacher training program on the performance of TVET trainers in Kicukiro district. Specifically, this studys objectives were: to identify the level to which TVET trainer receive in-service teacher training program in Technical Secondary School Kicukiro District, to assess the level of performance of TVET trainers in Technical Secondary Schools in the Kicukiro District and to evaluate the relationship between in-service training program and TVT trainers performance in Technical Secondary School Kicukiro District. The combination learning theory and system theory was served as the researchers guide. The studys population was 207 people (197 teachers and 10 head teachers) from all of the Kicukiro Districts Technical Secondary Schools. The survey was designed in a descriptive manner. A sample size of 137 was chosen using Yamanes formula. Using random sampling and purposeful selection, the population was chosen as the sample size for the study. Every questionnaire was dispersed by the researcher. The format of the analysis was influenced by the particular qualitative and qualitative methodology employed as well as the format of the data. The data that was collected in this study was examined and displayed in the order of the research objectives utilizing frequency, percentages, and tables as descriptive statistics. Data was gathered via teacher questionnaires and head teacher interview guides. The researcher examined and interpret the results after going to the field. The study found that 84.5% of the respondents agreed that they participate in service teacher training program every time, 94% of the respondents agreed that In-service teacher training program is very necessary for all teachers, 52.5 of the respondents disagreed that In-service teacher training program is only for new teachers, 57.6% of the respondents Disagreed that In-service teacher training program is necessary for old teachers while 60.5% of the respondent disagreed that In-service teacher training program is not necessary at all. 83.8% of the respondents agreed that their participation in an in-service teacher training program has helped them improve personalities and instructional techniques in the classroom and at school, 89.7% of the respondents agreed that with the help of the in-service teacher training program, and they are able to acquire new methods of classroom management and instruction, while 94.1% of the respondents agreed that the in-service teacher training program motivates and makes teachers love their professions.The research suggests that the Ministry of Education, education planners, and stakeholders should enhance in-service training programs for TVET trainers in Kicukiro District, Rwanda, focusing on upgrading technical skills, improving instructional methodologies, establishing robust monitoring mechanisms, and investing in infrastructure.

Influence of Teacher Beliefs on Employing EBT (Evidence-Based Teaching) in Creative Writing Lessons

Children who do not master writing skills risk possible failure because they cannot complete written assignments on time. The complex nature of writing as a language production skill requires thorough planning and problem-solving. Research emphasises that children who struggle to write tend to remain behind in their writing skill development. Hence, it is necessary to strengthen writing instruction, such as by incorporating research-based methods. The purpose of this article was to explore teachers’ perceptions of and beliefs in teaching creative writing and employing evidence-based teaching (EBT) in their lessons. Data were generated through two focus group interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Purposive sampling was used to recruit Grade 3 teachers from two primary schools. The data revealed that teachers believed themselves to be inadequately trained to effectively teach creative writing. The findings suggest that teachers believe they have little time to explore the usefulness of evidence-based strategies as they already battle to complete the syllabus; there is little guidance on how to go about teaching creative writing; and how they currently teach is in line with the policy guidelines. This article recommends that the Ministry of Education and universities reinforce pre- and in-service teacher training programmes by teaching diverse evidence-based strategies, for example, self-regulated strategy development (SRSD), consolidate curriculum knowledge, and strengthen continuous professional development programmes to boost teachers as reflective practitioners.

Exploring History Teachers’ Understanding of the Goals of History Teaching and Historical Thinking Skills in Secondary Schools

The purpose of this study was to explore history teachers’ inclination toward the goals of teaching disciplinary history, active teaching methods, and their experiences with historical thinking skills during their college education and their classroom practices. The qualitative thematic analysis explores how secondary school history teachers’ beliefs and background knowledge about their subject matter influence classroom practices. It focuses on their conceptions of history and historical thinking, teaching goals, teaching methods, and instructional materials. The results revealed that teachers’ educational training and history courses significantly influence their disciplinary knowledge and teaching practices. In the quantitative phase, the findings reveal that the status of teacher experiences and efficacy with all the historical thinking skills indicators, namely, sourcing, contextualization, corroboration and explicit instruction, varies as revealed in the result section. To address this issue, the researchers suggested the need for teachers to update their professional development and incorporate historical thinking skills into classroom activities, fostering engagement and agency, and intensive training for in-service history teachers. In this preliminary phase, we use these exploratory findings and research on teachers’ conceptions of their discipline and practices of historical thinking skills to propose an interventional framework for teaching history.

The moderating role of emotional self-efficacy and gender in teacher empathy and inclusive education

The role of teacher empathy is recognized as a key factor in improving teacher–student interaction, motivation and academic performance. Despite the importance of teacher empathy, its role in promoting inclusive education is still largely unknown. High levels of empathy are not necessarily associated with greater ability to implement inclusive education, as they can lead to excessive emotional engagement and stress, which negatively affect teachers' abilities. Therefore, the present study explored whether the relationship between high empathy and perceived ability to implement inclusive education could be moderated by other variables, such as emotional self-efficacy and gender. A large sample of Italian support teachers (N = 739; Mage = 37.7; females = 86.9%) was recruited for this study. We found that higher levels of empathy were related to higher levels of self-efficacy in inclusive education, especially when levels of emotional self-efficacy were higher. This relationship was only found for female teachers. The results contribute to knowledge about the role of teachers' empathy for inclusion as well as the moderating role of the ability to regulate negative emotions. The study has implications for pre-service teacher education and in-service teacher training.

Making Mathematics Accessible to Visually Impaired High School Learners in South Africa: Teachers’ Instructional Approaches, Assistive Devices and Challenges

ABSTRACT This case study explored the instructional approaches and assistive devices employed by high school mathematics teachers in teaching visually impaired (VI) learners and the challenges encountered by the teachers in facilitating the learners’ construction of mathematical knowledge. The participants were two high school mathematics teachers from a special school for the visually impaired in South Africa. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and lesson observation. Inadequate skills in using Braille codes, time constraints, lack of learners’ home support structure, and technology failure are some of the challenges encountered by the teachers in teaching the VI learners. The approaches used by the teachers to teach mathematics to the VI learners in this study are direct instruction, contextual linking, scaffolding, peer tutoring, and problem-solving. The technologies the teachers used included text enlargers, text translators, text embossers, structure embossers, and scientific talking calculators. The study recommends in-service training for teachers teaching mathematics to

Using Virtual Reality in the Educational Process to Increase Students' Motivation and Interest

This article aims to identify some obstacles and opportunities for using virtual reality tools in teaching English to students. The research method is a case study focusing on the perceptions and responses of four teachers. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect this data. The results show the importance of pre-service and in-service training for teachers to use a foreign language effectively - in this case, English - when teaching with these tools. Additionally, teachers highlight specific difficulties that hinder the realisation of the educational opportunities offered by virtual reality in the process of foreign language learning. The results show that, for example, despite the overall level of satisfaction, motivation is not always present in the use of smartphones. In contrast, satisfaction, motivation, and engagement are closely related in virtual reality. These differences emphasise the importance of technology in the learning process. The novelty of this paper is to study these discourses to find that the main motivations that drive teachers to use new virtual tools are related to both personal factors (curiosity, passion, interest) and pedagogical aspects (application, sharing experiences with colleagues, caring for students). These two forms of motivation, essential for proper technology integration, underline the strong desire of teachers to participate in the project to improve their teaching practice and optimise student learning. However, although motivation is an influential factor in integrating new technologies, teachers do not hide their doubts and concerns. The practical value of the study on using virtual reality (VR) in the educational process to increase students' motivation and interest is creating an interactive environment that can engage students and make learning more fun. This is especially important for those with difficulties with traditional teaching methods and individualising learning. VR allows you to adapt the material to the needs of each student, which contributes to more effective learning. Learners can work at their own pace and repeat the material as often as necessary.

In-service teacher training programmes that promote education for sustainable development: A review of emerging literature

Teacher continuous professional development programs have been identified as important tools for integrating education for sustainable development (ESD) into teacher education in South Africa. Research studies have indicated that in-service training for secondary school teachers has been under-resourced and poorly implemented in terms of integrating ESD into teaching and learning in secondary schools. The literature also supports the claim that, in light of climate change and global warming, in-service programs for secondary school teachers do not adequately promote the integration of ESD in South African classrooms. Due to the absence of a suitable professional development program to support the implementation of ESD in secondary schools, efforts to resolve these deficiencies have not had the expected impact. This study examines the challenges in South Africa's in-service teacher development program for integrating ESD. The in-service training program for sustainable development was researched using the systematic literature review methodology. The study argues that inadequate in-service training programs for secondary school teachers have hindered the implementation of ESD in South Africa. The literature also revealed the absence of a unified framework that can be used in South Africa to integrate ESD. As a result, it is recommended that combinations of frameworks or models be adopted when designing a unified in-service training program for teachers to promote ESD in South African classrooms.

Strategies to enhance the inclusion of culturally and linguistically diverse learners in Gauteng schools: Teachers’ perspectives

The inclusion of culturally and linguistically diverse learners in schools remains a global challenge and South African schools are no exception. The increasing number of national and international immigrants and refugees contributes to cultural and linguistic diversity (CLD) in classrooms. Teachers thus grapple with the inclusion of CLD learners. In this study we explored the perspectives of teachers on strategies that could enhance the inclusion of CLD learners in secondary schools. We contend that the inclusion of CLD learners has not been fully addressed in South African schools. A qualitative phenomenological design located within the interpretivism paradigm was used. We employed culturally responsive pedagogy as theoretical framework for the study. From a population of South African teachers in Gauteng, South Africa, 12 secondary school teachers were sampled through critical case sampling. Data were generated through interviews. Research findings identify the need for amendment of government policies, in-service training, and workshops for teachers, incorporating ethnically and culturally diverse content during instruction. Within this study, we extend awareness of the strategies that teachers in CLD classrooms can use to enhance inclusive education and propose further strategies that can also be considered in teaching in CLD classrooms. It is concluded that there is a great need to incorporate inclusive education in the higher education curriculum to capacitate pre-service teachers on the inclusion of learners – CLD learners included.

Exploring High School Economics Teachers’ Curriculum Implementation Practices: A Case of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa

This empirical study explored high school Economics teachers’ curriculum implementation practices in South Africa. The research focused on a sample of three Economics teachers purposefully selected from three schools in the Northern Cape province. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Mediated Learning Experience (MLE) and adopting a qualitative approach, the study employed a case study design.To get insight on the Economics teachers’ curriculum practices, semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis were used to generate data from the selected high school Economics teachers. Braun and Clarke’s six steps of thematic analysis were followed in analysing the triangulated data. The study findings indicate that some Economics teachers’ practices on instructional planning, selection of resources, feedback, and reflective practices promoted meaningful learning. The study concludes that although there are pockets of effective curriculum implementation practices by Economics teachers, there is a need to continue with in-service teacher training to enhance the teachers’ curriculum implementation practices. The study recommends that Economics teachers should form Professional Learning Communities where they learn and share good practices to provide teachers with continuous in-service training on how to plan lessons that cater for diverse learners’ needs. This study contributes to the scholarship by providing insights into how teachers’ curriculum practices can be enhanced both at pre-service and in-service levels to improve teacher effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, the study forms the basis on which further research on Economics teachers’ curriculum implementation practices on a more representative scale can be conducted. Keywords: Economics Education, Curriculum Implementation, Learner-centred Practices, Mediated Learning Experience

The effectiveness of in-service teacher training programs in enhancing teaching quality and student achievement

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, the continuous professional development of teachers is essential for maintaining high standards of teaching and enhancing student achievement. In-service teacher training programs, which provide ongoing education and training for currently employed teachers, are a crucial component of this professional development. This study uses a mixed-methods approach to investigate the efficacy of in-service teacher training programs in enhancing student success and teaching quality. To obtain thorough data on their experiences and perspectives, 286 in-service teachers from various schools around Kampala completed a survey. Additionally, 52 in-service teachers were interviewed, providing a comprehensive insight into their experiences. According to the quantitative results, 71% of the respondents had previously taken part in in-service training; 61% reported improvements in the quality of their instruction, and 71% noted improvements in student performance. The chi-square tests and regression analysis results showed that in-service training significantly improved student achievement and teacher quality. These findings were corroborated by the qualitative data, which highlighted themes including improved teaching strategies, increased teacher confidence, enhanced student engagement, impact on student achievement, and teacher motivation and morale. The study also highlights the value of peer cooperation and hands-on workshops in training programs and emphasizes the necessity of ongoing, customized professional development. This study offers a comprehensive knowledge of the efficacy of in-service teacher training programs by integrating quantitative and qualitative data. This understanding will be beneficial for educators and policymakers as they build more effective professional development initiatives.

Designing and Implementing Sustainable Professional Development Programs: Embodied Curriculum and Instruction for Kindergarten Teachers

Embodied design is a theory-to-practice and pedagogical framework and emphasizes the role of embodied and situated activity. Since embodiment has a powerful impact on young children’s learning, implementing embodied deign in kindergartens is essential and beneficial to their future mathematical learning and performance. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to develop a professional learning community composed of eight kindergarten teachers and university teacher educators (researchers) and to co-construct a professional development model for curriculum design and instructional implementation of embodied design in mathematics. Accordingly, the main research objectives were to obtain a sustainable professional development model and summarize principles of embodied mathematics curriculum design and strategies for embodied instructional activities, which can be used both in practical settings (i.e., kindergarten and preschool) and early childhood teacher education programs in higher education. Data were gathered through participative observations, including PD meetings and classroom observations, in-depth and follow-up interviews, teachers’ lesson design and reflection notes, and children’s learning profiles, and then were analyzed qualitatively using a descriptive and explanatory approach with replication logic. Based on the data collection and analysis, two major sections of the findings and discussion were included in this report, which were as follows: first, a sustainable “task design professional development model” was generated for collaboratively future improvements of both in-service and pre-service teacher training programs in higher education; second, two principles of embodied mathematics curriculum design and two effective embodied teaching strategies were proposed to promote kindergarten teachers’ professional knowledge and capabilities and their young children’s mathematics learning capabilities.

Exploring Teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge as an Indicator for the Planning of In-service Teacher Training in Chemistry Education.

This study examined how teachers teaching chemistry at different levels of education perceive their levels of technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and examined the relationship of TPACK with age, gender, teaching at different levels of education, time spent teaching chemistry, and frequency of information and communication technology (ICT) use. The study involved 261 teachers, 246 women and 15 men, from all over Slovenia, who have been teaching chemistry for an average of 18 years at different levels of education, with an average age of 45 years. The results showed that teachers teaching chemistry content perceive a high level of TPACK. There is a statistically significant correlation between age, time spent teaching chemistry, and frequency of ICT use with the perceived level of technological pedagogical content knowledge. Younger teachers, those with less professional experience and teachers who use ICT more frequently rated their TPACK higher. Based on the results of the survey, guidelines for planning the in-service teacher training that would support the development of TPACK of teachers teaching chemistry content were developed.

Leaving No One Behind- Teacher Peer Mentoring Before and After the Pandemics: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review of Spanish and English Literature

<p style="text-align:justify">This paper examines how peer mentoring strengthens teaching practices in Regular Basic Education considering the changes undertaken since the COVID-19 pandemics. Peer mentoring is an in-service teacher training strategy that includes mutual collaboration, learning and monitoring. In this systematic review, we retrieved 24 articles since 2020 from Scopus (8), Web of Science (8), Dialnet (5), Google Scholar (2) and SciELO (1) to find out about the benefits of peer mentoring. Our review was guided by the PRISMA criteria. We found that educational companionship has a positive impact on reducing knowledge gaps regarding new technologies through the exchange of experiences, promotes openness to criticism, as well as the interest in learning and unlearning, supporting learning self-regulation, and guarantees consultation, reflection, and agreement between members of the teaching communities. We conclude that peer mentoring fulfilled, to a large extent, its purpose of improving teacher performance as one of the keys to educational quality.</p>

Democratic spaces for ECEC teachers’ professional development: the case of the RIECU Network in Spain

ABSTRACT This article deals with one of the multiple and complex aspects that shapes quality in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), such as teachers’ professional development. It presents the successful case of the RIECU Network in Spain in which for almost two decades the following institutions have been cooperating: (1) the university, responsible for initial teacher training, (2) the institution in charge of in-service teacher training and (3) the ECEC centers where professional development takes place through the practical experience of teachers. Data obtained from the focus groups with representatives of the three institutions reveal that the greatest benefit that teachers perceive for their professional development is the interaction, professional contact and shared reflection with their colleagues, and the creation of a stimulating learning environment in which they feel welcomed and valued, moving from a competitive culture, widely spread in their schools, to a collaborative culture conducive to teaching innovation.

Virtual Classroom Tools in Music Education

Education is also continued with distance education, which is an alternative model with the support of technology. The formation of student and teacher environment in distance education depends on the virtual classroom. Virtual classroom is an educational environment where individuals in different places come together simultaneously through internet infrastructure and computer. Virtual classroom is applied in many disciplines of the education system. The high motivation of the students during the lesson in the virtual classroom and the permanence of learning depend on the virtual classroom tools used during the lesson. However, it is not known under which titles virtual classroom tools are applied in music education, which is a part of the education system. Based on this problem, it was aimed to reveal the dimensions in which virtual classroom tools are applied in music education. Based on the data obtained, it was determined that there are tools specific to music education as well as tools used in general education. In the literature review, it was determined that the tools used in music education are grouped under five headings: recording technology, note writing, sound organisers, in-class activities and artificial intelligence. According to the results of the research, the importance of music teachers' use of educational technologies and the positive effect of virtual classroom tools on students in music lessons have emerged. The necessity of providing in-service training for teachers on the utilisation of virtual classroom tools in the curriculum of music education was emphasised, as was the role of technology in music education in the contemporary context.

“Not Just Limited to the Class Itself”

This study presents the account and analysis of an attempt to make the development of higher-level reflection skills an explicit learning outcome on a Trinity College London CertTESOL course. It analyses the effect that this attempt had on the depth of the written reflections of trainee teachers, and attempts to uncover their perceptions of their own development. Previous work has examined the effect of interventions to encourage the development of reflective skills in preservice state-school teacher education and in-service teacher training. However, it has not addressed such an intervention on a TESOL Certificate course. The present study draws on the relevant literature to design a process of reflection, and analyses its effectiveness. Qualitative analysis consists of deductive analysis of participants’ written reflections and inductive analysis of transcripts from semi-structured interviews. Findings show that trainees developed their reflective skills, could use their reflections to adapt their teaching, and were aware of their own development. It concludes that aspects of TESOL Certificate courses are conducive to the development of reflective skills, and suggests a procedure which can maximise the benefits of these aspects and a level of reflection appropriate as a learning aim of such a course.

Exploring ESL Teachers’ Perceptions About In-Service Training To Teach Single National Curriculum In Pakistan

This study examines the effectiveness of in-service teacher training programmes in Pakistan, particularly in implementing the Single National Curriculum (SNC) 2020 for English. Employing a qualitative research design, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with Primary School Teachers (PSTs) teaching English in government schools of Punjab. As per the findings, the online mode of SNC training is found to be ineffective, with teachers expressing a preference for face-to-face training that involves practical demonstrations. Furthermore, [1]issues such as inadequate planning, lack of learning resources, and disparities between the curriculum and actual classroom conditions were highlighted. ESL teachers also reported challenges linked with the socio-economic background of students and poor infrastructure in schools, particularly in rural areas. The study highlights the need for enhanced teacher training programmes that incorporate practical, hands-on experiences and address context-specific challenges. Recommendations include conducting face-to-face training sessions, providing learning materials, recruiting competent trainers, and improving school infrastructure. The findings underscore the pivotal role of teacher training in the successful implementation of educational innovations, suggesting that ongoing and sustained professional development is necessary to facilitate teachers in applying new curricular practices effectively.