Instructional Practices Research Articles

Local Belief and the Negotiation of EFL Teachers’ Identity in an Asian Country

Aim. This study investigates the local belief and the negotiation of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers' identity within the Asian context. Methods. Framed within the Martha Pennington (2014) model, this qualitative research examines the complex interplay between local beliefs and the participants’ identity formation through in-depth interviews. The data was collected from three (3) EFL teachers operating at local Asian schools. Results. The findings reveal the significance of local beliefs in shaping teachers' instructional practices, classroom interactions, and professional identities. This research sheds light on the dynamic nature of EFL pedagogy in culturally diverse settings as it underscores the dialectical process through which EFL teachers negotiate their identities within the local cultural and educational milieu. Conclusions. It can be concluded that this research contributes to the field of EFL education by highlighting the need for teacher training programmes that address the diverse cultural and contextual factors that influence the formation of EFL teachers' identities.

The Predictive Role of Teaching Experience in Teachers’ Implementation of Metacognitive Knowledge

Aim. While there is so much emphasis on teachers' metacognition, little is known about the role of teaching experience in teachers' metacognition and their instructional practices. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide new insight into the extent to which experience in teaching might predict teachers' metacognition or their awareness of each metacognitive component and sub-factor. Furthermore, the use of teachers' metacognition in their instructional practices was explored. Method. A quantitative research method was used to investigate teachers’ metacognition and their teaching experience. For this purpose, 130 teachers participated and completed the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory for Teachers (MAIT) questionnaire. Independent T-test and Enter regression were used to analyse the data. Results. The analysis of the collected data revealed that years of teaching experience could be a predictor of teachers' metacognitive knowledge but not their metacognitive regulation. Conclusion. Teachers can enhance their metacognition from the first years of teaching, and through training and practice, they can strengthen their abilities.

Appreciation, Analysis and Creation in the Teaching-learning of the Plastic Arts

Aim. The Didactics of the Plastic Education is necessarily nourished by the general didactics and the arts, as well as by their particular methodologies, in aspects related to the teaching-learning of the textual analysis, and specifically, the study of the visual code (iconic and visual signs, tropes or rhetorical figures, etc.), which dialogues with theory, semiotics, cultural anthropology, among other sciences. Methods. In academic research, methods such as the analysis of the results of pedagogical activity, ethnographic or experiential and inductive-deductive methods were used. Results. The Didactics of a Plastic Education requires an urgent review that includes, from its most general principles and laws, to the aspects related to the selection and sequencing of content, the role of the student's plastic education in achieving a social model, the distinctions between artistic education, aesthetic education and teaching of the plastic arts in all the integrality and complexity of their discourses, the teaching-learning process, its essence and contradictions, the categorical system of the teaching-learning process, among other fundamental aspects. The present study contributes to this rethinking of the theoretical and methodological postulates of the Didactics of Plastic Education, as it proposes as an objective: to argue the didactic principle of the unity between appreciation, analysis and textual creation in the teaching-learning process of the visual image analysis. Conclusion. This argument constitutes a theoretical contribution to the science, and clarifies, while unifying, criteria and procedures in the pedagogical practice of artists, teachers, instructors and masters of the plastic arts.

Adopting WhatsApp to support flipped learning in resource-constrained business studies classrooms in South Africa

Nowadays, business studies teachers integrate WhatsApp into their lessons to enhance their instructional practice. This qualitative study investigates the role of WhatsApp in supporting flipped learning in business studies classrooms. The interpretive paradigm was adopted, and an exploratory case study was employed as the research design. Social constructivism theory was used as the lens through which to view the study, while purposive sampling was utilised to select six business studies teachers from six secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that WhatsApp played a significant role in supporting flipped learning in business studies. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that WhatsApp is integral to supporting flipped learning in resource-constrained schools. Thus, it is recommended that South African schools allow and formalise the use of WhatsApp as a learning tool to transform pedagogies.

Impact of Instructional Supervision Strategies on Teacher Performance in Hinabangan Samar District 1

The effectiveness of instructional supervision strategies on teacher performance is a critical area of educational research. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of different instructional supervision strategies employed by school heads and their impact on the instructional performance of teachers in the Hinabangan Samar District I. This study utilized the descriptive-correlational research design using the researcher-developed survey questionnaire administered to 81 public school teacher-respondents who were randomly sampled. The high effectiveness of school heads' instructional supervision practices in the Hinabangan Samar District I as evidenced by a composite mean of 4.82 highlights the positive influence of strong leadership and supportive practices. The very high positive correlation observed in the Hinabangan Samar District I reinforce the importance of robust supervision systems in educational settings. School heads should prioritize regular classroom observations, provide constructive feedback, and offer professional development opportunities. Additionally, fostering a collaborative culture among teachers can further enhance the effectiveness of instructional supervision.

Professional development programmes on playful learning for early childhood teachers: a systematic review

ABSTRACT This study conducted a systematic review of empirical research to examine the effectiveness of professional development (PD) programmes aimed at promoting playful learning pedagogies among early childhood teachers. Despite the growing adoption of policies advocating for playful learning, a considerable disparity persists between policy ideals, research findings, and actual instructional practices. This study identified a scarcity of rigorous research on this topic, with nine qualifying studies showcasing nine distinct PD programmes, each characterised by diverse training delivery methods, intensity levels, and playful learning conceptualisations. While these programmes reported enhancements in teachers’ playful learning pedagogies, predominantly through reflection and coaching strategies, the lack of rigorous research methodologies employed in the studies hinders definitive conclusions about optimal practices and significant impacts on teacher practices and student outcomes. It is recommended that playful learning PD programmes integrate research findings from the science of learning, embrace community and cultural values as an integral part, and incorporate both reflection and coaching strategies to bridge the gap between policy, research, and pedagogical implementation.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING LEADERSHIP IN FOREIGN RESOURCES

Teaching leadership skills involves more than just using effective methods and techniques; it also requires having a thorough understanding of the psychological theories that explain human behavior, focusing on key elements like self-awareness, motivation, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution. The article examines foreign research studies on successful psychological techniques for teaching leadership in higher education. It embraces the importance of developing effective leadership programs, the role of experiential and collaborative learning, development of ethical learning environments and learning opportunities. The significance of a psychologically informed approach to education is highlighted by the necessity for educators to understand the psychological concepts, such as motivation, social dynamics, and cognitive development, that shape instructional practices.

Influence of Head Teachers’ Leadership Practices on Pupils’ Learning Outcomes in Public Primary Schools in Narok North Sub County, Kenya

This study sought to investigate the influence of head teachers’ instructional leadership practices on pupils’ learning outcomes/expectations in public primary schools in Narok North Sub-County, Kenya. This was specifically addressed by seeking to establish the influence of instructional supervision and motivational strategies on pupils’ learning outcomes/expectations in public primary schools in Narok North Sub-County, Kenya. The study employed the descriptive survey design. The target population constituted 54 public primary schools in Narok North Sub-County presented by 54 headteachers and 100 grade 5 teachers. Random sampling design was used to sample 129 respondents (45 head teachers and 84 teachers) from the target population. The descriptive analysis was used to establish the perceived level of head teachers’ instructional supervision, motivational strategies and pupils’ learning outcomes. Multiple Linear regression analysis was used to establish the influence of head teachers’ instructional supervision, motivational strategies and resource provision on the pupils’ academic performance and if the influences explained was statistically significant. Multiple Linear regression analysis was used to establish the influence of head teachers’ instructional supervision and motivational strategies on the pupils’ academic performance and if the influences explained was statistically significant. The study revealed that headteachers’ instructional leadership practices consisted of classroom visitation, delegation of teaching duties, evaluation of records of work, holding conferences with teachers, lesson preparations and evaluation of pupils’ exercise books which considerably improved the learning outcomes of grade 5 Pupils in all the five subjects. Finally, the study recommended that Re-engineering workshops by the Ministry of Education should emphasize on curriculum instructional supervision leadership practices and learners’ motivational strategies with a view to improving the quality of Grade 5 Pupils’ learning outcomes in all the five subjects’ areas.

The impact of school- and teacher-related factors on teachers’ professional learning

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the effects of school- and teacher-related factors on teachers’ professional learning. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed using the data collected from 810 teachers in Türkiye. Path analysis was used to examine the structural relationships among variables, including instructional leadership, learning climate, teacher self-efficacy, teacher enthusiasm, teachers’ attitudes towards professional development and teacher professional learning. Results validated a mediation model in which instructional leadership had direct and indirect effects on teacher professional learning. Results showed that the instructional leadership practices of school principals foster a positive learning climate that enhances teachers’ self-efficacy, enthusiasm, and attitudes, ultimately supporting their professional learning. Drawing on evidence from a non-Western educational context, this study contributes to the international knowledge base by demonstrating the effects of both school- and teacher-related factors on teachers’ engagement in professional learning.

Integrating technology into school-wide adoption of flipped learning: Perceptions of a school principal

Integrating technology into teaching and learning is important for effective education in the 21st Century. School instructional leadership plays a crucial role in determining the success of school technological transformation. This paper focuses on the instructional leadership practice in a school-wide flipped learning adoption process. It examines a school principal’s instructional leadership practice in a middle-high boarding school in China. In-depth interviews and document analysis were used as tools for data collection. The findings reveal that involving teachers as researchers is a powerful technique for managing successful instructional reform when integrating technology into classroom practice. The school principal’s lived experiences and philosophy of education contribute to the commitment of the transformation process, which in turn motivated the principal to initiate and conduct instructional reform. Moreover, the school principal is expected to be a critical actor for the overall management when mobilising teacher engagement and other available resources in the school context. The implications for practitioners are discussed.

Fostering self-regulated learning-focused feedback: Getting preservice teachers prepared

Since self-regulated learning (SRL) has been integrated into educational objectives, it is crucial for EFL teachers to incorporate SRL elements, such as feedback, into their instructional practices. Given the inherent complexity of the feedback process and the challenges associated with changing in-service teachers' feedback focus, developing preservice teachers’ literacy at the beginning of their professional careers is essential. To investigate the extent to which preservice teachers can generate multifocus feedback incorporating an SRL element, this study analyses the feedback categories generated by 286 preservice teachers and examines the underlying factors that influence their feedback choices using a mixed-methods approach. The feedback pattern analysis revealed that, despite recognizing the importance of SRL, preservice teachers struggled with creating multiple feedback entries supporting SRL. An investigation into SRL-focused feedback patterns and their influencing factors suggested several ways to embed SRL into the core of teacher feedback. These include building teacher beliefs to cultivate collegial resources, constructing a databank of feedback comments on SRL activities to facilitate feedback provision, and examining learner differences to craft individualized feedback. The conclusion summarizes the implications for future feedback studies, outlining an agenda for further research in this area.

Landslide Analysis with Incomplete Data: A Framework for Critical Parameter Estimation

Landslides are one of the most common geohazards, posing significant risks to infrastructure, recreation, and human life. Slope stability analyses rely on detailed data, accurate materials testing, and careful model parameter selection. These factors are not always readily available, and estimations must be made, introducing uncertainty and error to the final slope stability analysis results. The most critical slope stability parameters that are often missing or incompletely constrained include slope topography, depth to water table, depth to failure plane, and material property parameters. Though estimation of these values is common practice, there is limited guidance or best practice instruction for this important step in the analysis. Guidance is provided for the estimation of: original and/or post-failure slope topography via traditional methods as well as the use of open-source digital elevation models, water table depth across variable hydrologic settings, and the iterative estimation of depth to failure plane and slope material properties. Workflows are proposed for the systematic estimation of critical parameters based primarily on slide type and scale. The efficacy of the proposed estimation techniques, uncertainty quantification, and final parameter estimation protocol for data-sparse landslide analysis is demonstrated via application at a landslide in Colorado, USA.

Is Chinese Dyslexia Similar Across Chinese Societies? Evidence from Hong Kong, Beijing, and Taipei

AbstractWhile previous research has documented the unique aspects of Chinese dyslexia as compared to dyslexia in alphabetic scripts, it remains unclear whether the difference in Chinese literacy experiences influences the manifestation of Chinese dyslexia. The present article first reviews the characteristics of Chinese languages and scripts, including important cognitive‐linguistic correlates (rapid automatized naming, phonological, orthographic, and morphological awareness) of Chinese reading development and impairment. The diversity in Chinese literacy experiences of scripts, languages, and instructional practices, and consequently their impact on Chinese literacy acquisition across different Chinese societies are also reviewed. Using an equivalent Chinese assessment battery administered to 91 children with dyslexia from Hong Kong, Beijing, and Taipei, we examined the subtypes of Chinese dyslexia across these three societies concurrently. With the four cognitive‐linguistic skills included as the clustering variable, the hierarchical cluster analysis revealed four cognitive subtypes of dyslexia: 38% mild orthographic deficit subtype (OD), 33% phonological deficit subtype (PD), 18% morphological deficit subtype (MD), and 11% global deficit subtype (GD)—each with their own set of cognitive‐linguistic deficit profiles. Interestingly, all four subtypes of dyslexia manifested poorer orthographic skills as compared to the control group. Bayesian Analysis of Contingency Table further showed that the distribution of dyslexia subtypes remains similar across the three Chinese societies, suggesting invariance of the Chinese dyslexia construct. Findings highlight the importance of assessment in orthographic processing, rapid automatized naming, phonological awareness, and morphological awareness in order to understand Chinese dyslexia, both in a within and cross‐cultural Chinese perspective.

Mapping Epistemic Orientation and Rigor of Classroom Instruction in Secondary Science Classrooms During Long-Term Professional Development

ABSTRACT As part of a larger effort to understand the impact of professional development (PD) on teachers’ thinking and practice, this research explores changes in epistemic orientation (and associated practices) of one cohort of secondary science teachers as they were involved in a two-year longitudinal PD focused on supporting students in argumentation. Through a mixed methods approach (including survey data, teacher interviews, and classroom observations), we sought to document shifts in science teachers’ beliefs and classroom practices. The Epistemic Orientation toward Teaching Science surveys were administered at three-time points to measure teachers’ epistemic orientation. To measure classroom practices, we recorded teachers’ enactments of activities designed during the PD. The instructional rigor of their classroom practices was described using the Instructional Quality Assessment Science Observation Rubrics (IQA-SOR) across four stages of a task: task potential, task launch, task implementation, and student discussion at the task’s close. Findings suggest that changes in epistemic orientation occurred for teachers who engaged in 2 years of PD, and these beliefs were reflected in the rigor of their instructional practices. Further, our findings suggest that 1 year of professional development was insufficient to engender such changes in teachers’ epistemic orientation or instructional practices.

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF LINGUISTICALLY INFORMED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS ON EFL PROFICIENCY AMONG GREEK LEARNERS: A PILOT STUDY ACROSS PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENTS

This pilot study explores the impact of linguistically informed formative assessments on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) proficiency among Greek learners, focusing on primary and secondary education establishments. Leveraging five years of research data collected between 2017 and 2022 from over 360 students across urban and rural regions in Greece, this study examines how integrating linguistic theory into formative assessments can enhance students' morphological and syntactical proficiency. Using a mixed-methods approach, both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through standardized language proficiency tests, linguistically informed assessments, and semi-structured interviews with students and educators. The findings indicate that students exposed to these linguistically informed assessments demonstrate significant improvements in EFL proficiency, particularly in verb conjugation and sentence structure, with enhanced long-term retention and application in both written and spoken English. These results underscore the potential for linguistically informed formative assessments to be a powerful tool in EFL pedagogy, with implications for curriculum design and instructional practices in Greek educational settings. The study also identifies areas for future research, including broader applications across diverse educational contexts and the scalability of such assessments.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0760/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

A Cross-National Examination of Teachers’ Multicultural Self-Efficacy: Can Multicultural Education in Initial Teacher Education and Professional Development Make a Difference?

As the student population continues to become more culturally diverse, it is imperative for teachers to cultivate greater self-efficacy in their instructional practices. To gain a clearer picture of the association between teacher education and multicultural self-efficacy, we conducted a multilevel modeling analysis on data from TALIS 2018. Our study revealed a strong correlation between teachers’ self-efficacy in general and their multicultural self-efficacy while highlighting significant differences between the two constructs. We also found that teachers who received multicultural education during their initial teacher education and professional development demonstrated higher levels of multicultural self-efficacy. However, the impact of initial teacher education and professional development was relatively modest. The practical implications for teacher training and policymaking as well as for future research are discussed.

Preservice Teachers’ Experiences With, Beliefs About, Self-Efficacy In, and Instructional Practices for Mathematical Writing

ABSTRACT Students across grades K-12 may communicate their mathematical understanding via writing. Mathematical writing (MW) can include journaling about prior mathematical experiences, reflecting on a problem-solving strategy, providing feedback on a peer’s strategy, and generating a mathematical proof. Although there are a wide range of MW activities, many teachers report that they do not provide MW instruction or utilize writing activities with their students. Such instructional decisions are tied to teachers’ prior experiences with MW, beliefs about MW, and self-efficacy in teaching MW. Thus, in an effort to increase MW instruction for K-12 students, this study examined pre-service teachers’ (PSTs’) prior MW experiences and the impact of an online learning module on self-efficacy in teaching, beliefs about, and instructional decisions for MW. Participants were 111 elementary, special, or dual-education PSTs at one of the two universities. Findings indicated that PSTs had minimal prior MW experiences in their K-16 schooling but believed that MW was important before the module. After the module, PSTs’ self-efficacy in teaching MW significantly increased. Further, PSTs’ saw greater benefits of MW and demonstrated more sophisticated ways to utilize MW in mathematics teaching and learning.

Implementing Task-Based Language Teaching in Saudi EFL Classrooms

This study explored the implementation of task-based language teaching (TBLT) in English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from 60 EFL teachers using a demographic information questionnaire, lesson description prompts, reflective journals, and a semi-structured interview. The findings revealed that the teachers generally held positive beliefs about TBLT and recognized its effectiveness in developing language skills through meaningful, contextually rich tasks. These beliefs were clearly reflected in their instructional practices, which emphasized student-centered and collaborative learning. Factors such as the teachers' educational background, ongoing professional development, and institutional support had a positive impact on TBLT implementation. However, challenges such as alignment with traditional examination requirements, large class sizes, and insufficient resources were noted. The study concludes with pedagogical recommendations and suggestions to further explore best practices for effective and widespread implementation of TBLT.

Reimagining faculty development: A paradigm shift from content to transformative learning processes

Background Faculty development programs in health professional education traditionally emphasise theories, principles, and effective teaching practices. However, the efficacy of these strategies in instigating meaningful changes in instructional practices has come under scrutiny. Methods This qualitative research aims to enhance our understanding and support of educators’ ongoing learning and growth. Employing a transformative learning lens, the study explored the experiences, professional development practices, and responsibilities of clinical educators who participated in a faculty development course. Utilising Mezirow’s transformative learning theory as a framework, this research investigated the transformative journey of educators, analysing reflective pieces from 144 participants. Results The study findings revealed shifts in pedagogical approaches, ranging from the recognition of a haphazard teaching style to the intentional integration of evidence-based methods and pedagogical philosophies. The thematic analysis identified key stages in the transformative process, illuminating educators’ commitment to structured teaching, self-directed learning, and continuous improvement. Conclusion This research has contributed valuable insights into how faculty development programs can stimulate reflective practices and transformative learning in health professional education. The article argues for the centrality of transformative learning processes in faculty development, presenting an intriguing perspective on sustainable and impactful professional growth. Trends across learning experiences are presented, accompanied by practical recommendations. The implications of the research for clinical educators, administrators, and developers of formal faculty professional development programs are also discussed.

Teachers' professional growth in teaching students’ social scientific reasoning

This exploratory study investigates how the use of subject-specific educative curriculum materials in a professional development program contributes to the professional growth of Dutch social science teachers in teaching social scientific reasoning. Teachers' professional growth (N = 10) was examined using pre- and post-interviews and questionnaires. The analysis focused on changes in teachers' knowledge, beliefs, and instructional practice. The results indicate that teachers developed a deeper understanding of the complexity, difficulty, and subject-specific nature of social scientific reasoning. The subject-specific educative curriculum materials served as a catalyst for teachers’ professional growth in teaching social scientific reasoning.