Primary Teachers Research Articles

Teaching for a sustainable future case studies from the green schools project in bulgaria

This article examines the implementation and impact of green education activities in primary schools across Bulgaria, as part of the Green Schools Project, supported by Erasmus+ Programme. Through detailed case studies, the research highlights how seven primary teachers integrated environmental education into their classrooms, fostering ecological awareness and sustainable practices among their students. The activities ranged from recycling projects and nature observation walks to role-playing games that traced the journey of food from seed to consumption. The findings demonstrate significant improvements in students' knowledge of ecological principles, increased motivation and engagement in green topics, and positive behavioral changes towards environmental stewardship. This study underscores the importance of integrating green education into the primary curriculum, providing insights and recommendations for future educational policies and practices aimed at nurturing responsible and proactive environmental citizens.

The Role of AI Technology in Constructing Digital English Classrooms in Underdeveloped Areas

As a key part of basic education, English education in primary schools is of great significance to the personal development of students and the construction of society and has received extensive attention from society. However, primary English education in underdeveloped regions of China is still relatively backward. In recent years, the rapid development of AI technology has realized information communication in education, which has become the key force in promoting the digital transformation of English classrooms in underdeveloped regions and the potential to bridge the education gap between areas. This paper is based on the teaching characteristics of the current primary school English subject, combined with the current development of AI technology applied to English teaching, for building the digital classroom of primary school English in underdeveloped areas puts forward the following relevant recommendations. China should accelerate the implementation of infrastructure construction and technology introduction in underdeveloped areas, and strengthen the training of digital literacy and media awareness for primary school English teachers. Primary schools in underdeveloped areas should use AI technology as a teaching aid to build a "double-teacher" English classroom teaching mode and a curriculum feedback platform based on this technology, to effectively promote the digital transformation of English classrooms in underdeveloped areas.

Developing and implementing an Einsteinian science curriculum from years 3–10: B. Teacher upskilling: response to training and teacher’s classroom experience

Abstract Recent years have seen a growing interest in modernizing school science curricula to reflect the discoveries in physics since 1900, especially with the recent broad recognition of the importance of quantum physics in the modern world. Much effort has been expended in the development of appropriate teaching instruments for teaching Einsteinian physics in schools, but less effort on the crucial topic of teacher professional development. Successful curriculum innovation requires teacher professional development. This paper reports an analysis of teacher professional development for practising primary and secondary teachers who were upskilled as part of a process for implementing an 8-year Einsteinian curriculum across 38 primary and secondary schools in Australia. Most participants had little prior knowledge of Einsteinian physics. Using self-assessment through questionnaires and interviews, combined with classroom validation, we show that three different professional development programs led to high levels of content knowledge and confidence to teach Einsteinian physics in classes from Year 3 to Year 10. The analysis presented supports our conclusion that it is feasible to upskill teachers from diverse backgrounds in Einsteinian physics and break the cycle that has inhibited the modernisation of school curricula.

Practical Strategies of “Soldiers Leading Soldiers” Mode in Primary School Teaching in Suburban Areas

With the promotion of curriculum reform, China’s basic education is moving from the era of “knowledge” to the era of “core literacy.” In the face of this teaching reform, teachers should focus on the main body of education and teaching-students, let students become the master of the classroom, and let the core literacy really land. The “soldiers leading soldiers” mode is a teaching method carried out given the large number of students with learning difficulties in class and the backward quality of class teaching. Through “soldiers teaching soldiers” and “soldiers training soldiers,” students’ mutual assistance can be achieved and the overall improvement of class teaching quality can be promoted. It extends from classroom to after-school, giving full play to the enthusiasm of students of different ability levels. This paper carries out practical research on primary school teaching by studying the organizational structure and evaluation mode of the “soldiers leading soldiers” mode.

What are the influences on KS2 teachers of comprehension and how are they shaping their learning and development?

ABSTRACT This article is based on a doctoral study which devised a novel framework to examine influences on Key Stage 2 (KS2) teachers of reading comprehension. It provides an understanding of the impact of professional knowledge and reading comprehension instruction research on teachers. Analysis of 14 interviews with primary teachers found they valued 5 areas of comprehension teaching. Goos’ (2013) adaptation of Valsiner’s [1997. Culture and the Development of Children’s Action: A Theory of Human Development. 2nd ed. John Wiley] zone theory and Lave and Wenger’s (1991) Communities of Practice (CoP) are used to explore teachers’ development in teaching comprehension through their interactions with the social environments of schools.

Special needs teachers in emergency remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of personal resources and teaching motivation on burnout

BackgroundThis cross-sectional study explores the connections between burnout, personal resources, and teaching motivation among Italian special needs teachers (SNTs) one year following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It specifically seeks to determine if and how personal resources and teaching motivation can help SNTs by buffering the effects of burnout symptoms.MethodsThe study was conducted using a sample of 837 full-time, in-service kindergarten and primary teachers at public schools in Italy. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires, including the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, the Santa Clara Brief Compassion Scale, the Crèche Educators Emotional Style Questionnaire, and the Autonomous Motivations for Teaching Scale. A multiple regression model was performed to assess the predictive role of personal resources and teaching motivation on the burnout of special needs teachers.ResultsThe findings indicate that higher levels of autonomous motivation are associated with reduced burnout, specifically among special education teachers. Conversely, higher levels of negative emotion regulation strategies were linked to increased burnout, and this relationship was stronger in mainstream teachers than in special education teachers. We found no significant association between teachers’ compassion and burnout.ConclusionsOur research supports the need for educational policymakers and school leaders to focus on personal resources and work-related well-being to enhance and support teachers, in particular during emergencies (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic) and for specific groups of teachers, such as SNTs.

Gender role shift: implications for balancing work and family responsibilities among female primary school teachers in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional survey of 1498 married female primary school teachers in Enugu state, Nigeria was used to investigate the association between work-family conflict and shifted gender roles. Gender role shift was measured as female breadwinning and shared house chores roles with husband/partner. Pre-validated work and family conflict scale, and a structured questionnaire were used for data collection. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients of the instruments were 0.913 and 0.871 respectively. Data were analysed using IBM-SPSS version 23, using percentage and listwise binary logistic regression. The results showed that 37.2% of the women were family breadwinners and 18.2% reported that they shared house chores with their husbands/partners. Work-family conflict was found to be 21.6% prevalent. Being a breadwinner increased the odds (OR > 1.00) of work-family conflict, while shared responsibility for household chores decreased the odds (OR < 1.00) of work-family conflict. Breadwinners had higher odds (OR = 4.77; CI = 2.61 - 8.73) of work-family conflict than non-breadwinners. Women whose partners shared in-house chores were less likely (OR = 0.31; CI = 0.20- 0.51) to experience conflict. Gender role shift, therefore, has implications for work-family imbalances among women in the primary school teaching profession in Nigeria.

Nivel de conocimiento y actitud de los profesores de educación infantil y primaria sobre el manejo de los traumatismos dentales

Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge of early childhood and primary education teachers about the management and attitude toward dental trauma in children. Material and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using questionnaires sent to schools in San Sebastián, Spain, to be answered by early childhood and primary education teachers between May and November 2023. The anonymous questionnaire was sent via Google Forms and consisted of three sections that included questions on demographics, history, and knowledge of dental trauma and its management. The statistical analysis of the variables was performed using the Fisher test, and the significance level was 5%. Results: A total sample of 83 teachers were included; 90% of the sample were women between 20 and 29 years old, without children, in primary school, and with less than 5 years of experience. No statistically significant differences (p&gt;0.05) were observed in the relationship between gender, having previously taken first aid courses, or having witnessed a trauma previously about greater knowledge on the subject. On the other hand, older participants, with more years of experience and with children were those who had read or heard the most about the topic and had a higher level of knowledge. Conclusions: Teachers' knowledge and management of dental trauma is limited. There is a relationship between age, years of professional experience, and having children with better knowledge and attitudes.

Assessing children’s health literacy using a curricular approach: Tasmanian primary school teacher perspectives

ABSTRACT Improving teachers’ understanding of how they can support children’s health literacy development relies on having appropriate measurement tools. A curricular approach to health literacy assessment is one possible means of overcoming the limitations of existing approaches. In a curricular approach, health literacy progress can be recorded through open-ended assessments, linked to curriculum learning descriptors and assessed against health literacy rubrics. Using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, this study explored generalist primary teachers’ opinions of the suitability, acceptability, and feasibility of the proposed approach. It was found that it may only be suitable in schools where generalist teachers are responsible for teaching health education and assessing health literacy. Teachers had positive views of the framework (acceptability) but believed that barriers (e.g. lack of time and confidence) could hinder feasibility. Suggestions to support the adoption of a curricular approach included receiving further professional development, and the clear allocation of teaching time and responsibility.

Uncovering relationships between formal and informal learning: unveiling the mediating role of basic need satisfaction and challenge-seeking behavior

Purpose Most of the current literature investigates workplace-based formal and informal learning separately; thus, the relationship between these two types of learning remains unclear. This study aims to fill this research gap, drawing on self-determination theory to bridge teachers’ formal and informal learning and uncover the relationship between the two. Design/methodology/approach The participants of the study are 1,886 primary and secondary in-service teachers in China. Structural equation modeling and bootstrapping are used to test the proposed model. Findings The study reveals complicated influencing mechanisms of formal learning on different types of informal learning among in-service teachers. Teachers’ basic psychological needs, satisfaction and challenge-seeking behavior are found to play crucial mediating roles in this process. Practical implications First, this study suggests that different configurations of intervention strategies should be formulated depending on the foci for improving teachers’ learning. Second, this study indicates that only highlighting the importance of reflection, which is the approach currently used, is not sufficient to improve teachers’ daily reflective practice. Third, there is an urgent need to design training programs to improve teachers’ abilities to purposefully expand their job boundaries, which could not only benefit teachers’ performance but also contribute to school improvement. For policymakers and school principals, we suggest that more attention be given to the satisfaction of teachers’ basic needs. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on workplace learning by connecting formal and informal learning and elucidating how teachers’ reported formal learning influences their informal learning activities via varied paths. The findings have implications for continuous professional development policy and training programs in the workplace.

The Practice of “Online + Offline” Mixed Teaching Mode in Primary School English Curriculum and Teaching Theory

The Practice of “Online + Offline” Mixed Teaching Mode in Primary School English Curriculum and Teaching Theory

The capacity of primary school inclusive teachers meets the requirements of the 2018 general education program

The profession of integration teaching is currently receiving considerable attention. The competency framework for teachers is assessed based on the 2018 General Education Program (GEP), which emphasizes the development of students' personal competencies and sets new competency requirements for teachers. This program provides detailed guidelines for teaching and learning in the modern era. The objective of this study is to evaluate the extent to which teachers' training and teaching competencies align with the 2018 GEP. The present study surveyed 611 primary school integration teachers across 32 schools serving disabled students in five provinces and cities within Vietnam. In this study, an assessment of teachers' competencies in various aspects of education and teaching was conducted. The results revealed high levels of proficiency among teachers in assessing and nurturing students' qualities and competencies, as well as in devising pedagogical strategies to enhance students' inherent capabilities. The limited language proficiency, particularly in local and foreign languages, has significant implications for ethnic minority students, who rely on native language instruction for effective learning. This limitation hinders the implementation of the 2018 GEP, especially in regions with a high density of ethnic minority populations. Additionally, teachers showed proficiency in creating safe and culturally educational environments and establishing relationships among students, teachers, and parents. Nevertheless, collaboration with families and communities to achieve educational goals exhibited lower competency levels. Furthermore, teachers demonstrated capabilities in researching and updating subject knowledge, along with supporting colleagues in developing professional competencies. The study also explored stakeholders' perceptions regarding educational practices, indicating varying levels of correctness in responses. This study significantly contributes to the evaluation of current primary school teacher competencies and offers valuable data for school managers, administrators, and teachers to gain a more holistic understanding of this matter.

XÂY DỰNG VÀ SỬ DỤNG TÀI LIỆU TỰ HỌC CHO SINH VIÊN NGÀNH GIÁO DỤC TIỂU HỌC RÈN LUYỆN NĂNG LỰC DẠY HỌC TÍCH HỢP

This study aims to build self-study materials to guide pre-service primary teachers to design integrated topics and apply them in teaching science. Thereby, we aim to contribute to the formation and development of integrated teaching capacity in the current context of program renewal. The article presents the principles and process of document development, introduces the content of the document, and demonstrates how to use materials to support learners in developing their cognitive abilities and the ability to design integrated lessons in Science at the Primary level. To assess the content, form, meaning, feasibility, and practicality of the document, the article uses the content analysis method through a questionnaire consisting of 5 open questions to process data for opinions of 8 experts and uses descriptive statistics for 56 teachers and 17 4th year learners via a questionnaire consisting of 17 closed questions employing 5-level Likert scale. The material is highly appreciated for its scientificity, feasibility, content, form, and meaning and can be used by students as a reference source in developing subject-teaching competence integrated into teaching Science in primary schools

Características identificadas por los docentes de educación básica en el departamento de Caldas (Colombia) en estudiantes con talentos y/o capacidades excepcionales

Exceptional talents and/or abilities are recognized in children or adolescents who demonstrate a greater general learning capacity or in a specific area of knowledge, placing themselves above their reference group. Although in the Colombian context the presence of this population in classrooms is a reality, there are still no clear routes for the recognition of their individual differences. The objective of this study is to identify the characteristics that primary education teachers in Caldas (Colombia) recognize in students with exceptional talents and/or abilities. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study. The sample was selected intentionally and by convenience, and consisted of a total of 125 participants. The results showed that the predominant indicators are creativity, autonomy and the ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. In addition, it was observed that a higher level of academic training does not necessarily guarantee access, knowledge or mastery of specific topics in the management of students with high intellectual abilities. To change stereotypes, teachers must understand the nature of giftedness and talents and reflect on their beliefs to become aware of their own stereotypes and their potential effects on their classroom behavior and student development.

Components and Indicators of Innovators Among Primary School Teachers

The objectives of this study were: 1) to study the components and indicators of innovators in primary school teachers, and 2) to examine the consistency of the components model and indicators of innovators in primary school teachers with empirical data. The participants were 220 primary teachers under the Office of the Basic Education Commission in the Northeastern Region. The researcher determined the sample size based on a 20:1 ratio of the number of parameters and used a multi-stage random sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire for developing elements and indicators of innovator in primary school teachers. The Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) index ranges from 0.80 to 1.00, the discriminatory power using Pearson Product-Moment Correlation ranges from 0.24 to 0.83, and the reliability of the entire instrument, as measured by Cronbach&amp;rsquo;s alpha coefficient (&amp;alpha;), is 0.97. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results revealed the following: 1) the elements and indicators of innovators in primary school teachers were identified through a synthesis of relevant documents and research, consisting of (1) initiative, (2) observation and asking questions, (3) interaction with others, (4) applying, and (5) adapting to the situation, with a total of 11 indicators. 2) The examination of the consistency of the components model and indicators of innovators in primary school teachers with empirical data found that (&amp;chi;2) was equal to 15.073, the degrees of freedom (df) was equal to 22, the chi-square value is the correlation (&amp;chi;2/df) is equal to 0.685. The statistical significance (p-value) was 0.859, and the goodness-of-fit index (GFI) was 0.988. The Relative Harmony Index (CFI) was equal to 1.000. The Harmonic Harmony Index (NFI) was equal to 0.985. The Root Mean Residual Index (RMR) was equal to 0.004. The square root of the mean square of the estimation (RMSEA) was equal to 0.000, indicating that this tool can be used to evaluate the innovators of primary school teachers.

Sociocultural influences on primary teachers implementing TouchTimes

In this article, I share case studies of two primary school teachers (K–5) in British Columbia, Canada who were interviewed after their implementation of &lt;i&gt;TouchTimes&lt;/i&gt; (hereafter, TT) in their mathematics classes. TT is a multi-touch digital application that is designed for users to create and interact with multiplicative situations kinaesthetically through their fingertips on an iPad screen. Using the theoretical constructs of double instrumental genesis, instrumental distance and didactical landmarks, I identify and highlight sociocultural influences described by each of the teachers as being impactful on their integration of this digital technology into their mathematics teaching. These influences included other teachers and the researchers who were part of a larger research project involving TT, as well as the students in each of the case study teachers’ classes. My analysis indicates the multi-faceted and complex nature of the process of double instrumental genesis that teachers undergo when implementing digital technology and how sociocultural factors impact teachers’ personal and professional instrumental geneses.

Learning Management Development Model for Early Childhood Teachers

The purpose of this research is to develop the learning management model of early childhood teachers in Roi Et Province. The sample group includes early childhood teachers is obtained by selecting a simple random sample of the sample 400 people. The tools used in the research include questionnaires assessment form and learning quizzes for Primary teachers. The statistics used in the data analysis include averages, standard deviations, and other factors and linear structural relationship analysis SEM. The results showed that: The development of learning management of early childhood teachers consists of: Teacher Professional Competency (CPT) Teacher Spirit (ST) Inspiration to have a public mind (PM) and learning management behavior (TBT). The element of inspiration to have a public spirit. (PM) It has a direct influence on learning management behavior (TBT) of early childhood teachers at the level of 0.01 with an influence value equal to 0.58. The elements of the model of inspiration for having a public spirit (PM) it has a direct influence on learning management behavior (TBT) of early childhood teachers can be 90.00% and can explain the variability of one other internal latent variable, namely: Inspiration to have a public spirit (PM) 88.00% of which can write structural equations.

An Assessment of the Administration of Teaching Practice in a Teacher Training Institution of Zimbabwe

This study sought to assess the administration of teaching practice in a primary education teacher training institution in Zimbabwe. The chosen population consisted of lecturers, school mentors and student teachers. Convenience sampling was used to select primary schools in Gwanda town. These were four in total. From these, purposive sampling was used to select heads of schools, teachers who were student-teacher mentors and student teachers who were in teaching practice. There were twelve teachers in total, and there were twelve student teachers. Purposive sampling was also applied to select lecturers who manned the chosen institution's teaching practice department. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the heads of schools and lecturers, while focus group discussion guides were used to gather data from teachers and student teachers, respectively. As one of the core findings, it unveiled that some students went for teaching practice inadequately prepared to meet associated demands. Furthermore, some mentors seemed burdened by constantly supervising the student teachers while at the same time executing other school duties done by other teachers who were not mentors. Based on these, the study recommends intensification of the assessment of the readiness of student teachers to engage in the teaching practice exercise before the institution releases them to schools. In addition, teachers who are assigned the role of student-teacher mentorship should be relieved of other school duties as this might enhance their commitment to student-teacher development.

Unlocking the Power of Play: Exploring Key Influences of Digital Game-Based Learning Adoption Among South African Mathematics Teachers

Integrating digital game-based learning (DGBL) into mathematics teaching has gained significant attention for its potential to improve learning outcomes. However, adopting DGBL in mathematics remains challenging, particularly in resource-constrained contexts such as South Africa. Consequently, this study used the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to investigate mathematics teachers’ adoption of DGBL in their classrooms. We interviewed twenty-four primary and secondary school mathematics teachers in the Northern Cape province about their use of DGBL. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that external variables such as language barriers, teachers’ technophobia, parental influence, and students’ limited reading skills negatively influenced teachers’ perceived usefulness of digital games. We also found that the teachers’ attitudes toward DGBL, which were influenced by their positive perception of it, influenced their intention to use digital games for mathematics purposes. The study recommends targeted policy interventions, including the development of multilingual digital tools and comprehensive professional development programs, to enhance the adoption of DGBL among South African mathematics teachers.

Ground rules for talk – the use of conversation rules to increase productivity in mathematical conversations in the early years

ABSTRACT In recent years, social aspects of teaching and learning have gained increased recognition, prompting researchers to focus on conversations and language in mathematics classrooms. While prior studies have highlighted the importance of conversations in primary school teaching, a gap remains in understanding how they influence mathematics teaching and learning, especially among younger children (Muhonen et al. 2016; Patterson 2018). To address this gap, this study explores the implementation of ground rules for talk in two first-grade classrooms in Norway (ages 5–6 years). This educational design research study investigated the impact of conversation rules on enhancing mathematical reasoning and promoting productive communication in primary school. Findings indicate that implementing ground rules for talk can foster productivity by encouraging pupils to inquire about others’ reasoning and share their perspectives to foster a respectful discourse. However, it also emphasises the importance of teachers being mindful of their language to foster reasoning effectively.