Professional Development Activities Research Articles

Private practice dietetics: A scoping review of the literature.

Private practice is one of the most rapidly growing, but under-researched employment sectors for graduate dietitians in Australia, limiting evidence-based workforce development. This scoping review examines existing international literature to gain an understanding of the current private practice workforce size, distribution, demography and workforce development considerations, including competencies, supply and demand, remuneration and professional development activities. The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, EMCARE, PsycInfo (Ovid) and grey literature were systematically searched in August 2023 using key search terms to identify studies for inclusion. Articles were included if they related to private practice dietetics and described an aspect of workforce. Original research, government and organisational reports,statements of practice and websites providing governmental or organisational statistics were included. A directed content analysis and qualitative constant comparison technique were used to deductively map intelligence sources against a workforce development framework. A gap analysis was also conducted to provide a focus for future workforce development research. A total of 72 peer-reviewed and grey literature sources were included, with 65% of the studies being Australian-based publications. Private practice dietetics research interest has increased in the last decade. Despite a breadth of published sources, this review found little published data on workforce size, distribution, demography, supply, demand, continued professional development and remuneration, indicating a significant gap in the evidence base. Existing literature focuses on workforce challenges and barriers, the work of private practice dietitians, with limited exploration of competency requirements for graduate private practitioners. The literature on the private practice dietetics workforce is lacking worldwide, which constrains evidenced-based workforce development initiatives. Workforce development research across all workforce aspects is warranted to address current evidence gaps.

Action research and professional development in schools

This article examines practitioner action research in schools and how action research can enhance practice and generate knowledge through partnerships between academia and the education sector. In 2020, revisions to the Norwegian curriculum for primary and secondary education introduced guidelines for professional work. The changes in the curriculum framework entail teachers’ collaboration in knowledge production - utilizing research and their own experiences in the process. This changed the formal role of teachers from transmitting established knowledge to producing knowledge in professional development and research activities. The new regulations can be related to traditions within practitioner action research. The article explores how action research can be used as a methodological framework in the professional work of schools. The starting point for the article is a thematic analysis of reflections from an action research project named Deeper Learning – How?, in which six schools participate in developing a model for unit planning. Structured interviews were conducted with members of school development groups in the schools every six months over 3.5 years, totaling seven interviews per school. The participants' reflections on their professional work serve as the empirical basis for the article. Results from the thematic analysis demonstrate that participants employed the action research process as a methodological tool to cultivate new insights and enhance practice. These reflections enrich the schools' comprehension of their educational practices and lead to measures for improvements, actions, and change. The results also highlight that proactive leadership, agreed-upon measures, teamwork, and a consistent rhythm in professional work are vital for educational practice development and knowledge production.

Professional Development, School-based Management Implementation, and Organizational Support on Instructional Supervisory Practices of School Administrators

The study developed a structural model on the professional development, school-based management practices, and organizational support on level of competence in instructional supervision of school administrators. Descriptive-correlational and structural-comparative research design were used in this study. Five hundred one (501) school administrators in Divisions of Region X were chosen as participants of the study in the school year 2023-2024. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage, means, correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses, and structural equation model. Professional development, school-based management practices, and organizational support in the context of educational administration. The indicators examined include professional development activities such as trainings/seminars, self-efficacy, and attainment of advance degrees. Additionally, school-based management practices encompass leadership and governance, curriculum and instruction, accountability, continuous improvement, and management of resources. Lastly, organizational support is evaluated through aspects such as training and development opportunities, performance review and appraisal systems, merit-based promotion schemes, and incentives and awards systems. The best predictor on the instructional supervision of school administrators is organizational support for training and development significantly predicts the outcome variable. Higher levels of organizational support are associated with increased training and development opportunities, highlighting the importance of supportive organizational practices in facilitating employee growth and development. KEYWORDS: Instructional Supervisory Practice, professional development, School-Based Management Implementation, Organizational Support

A Review of the Effects of Integrated Language, Science and Technology Interventions in Elementary Education on Student Achievement

This systematic literature review presents a review of the effects of integrated language arts, science and technology (ILS&T) instruction, with an inquiry- or design-based pedagogy, in elementary schools on student achievement. To this end, an overview of the characteristics of the 19 included studies and their interventions is first presented. Second, the effects of interventions in relation to the study characteristics and outcome variables were examined, by comparing the mean effect sizes. The findings demonstrate positive effects of ILS&T instruction for all reported student learning outcome variables. Third, the relation between characteristics of the intervention and effect sizes was analysed. Interventions with higher levels of integration, a short duration, and teacher professional development activities produce higher effect sizes. These findings are relevant for the design of ILS&T interventions. The analysis was challenged by a lack of detailed information in study and intervention descriptions, which prompts a call for scholars to provide more comprehensive information in their intervention studies.

A collaborative professional development and its impact on teachers' ability to foster higher order thinking

The objective of this research is to examine teachers' competence in designing activities after engaging in professional development activities aimed at enhancing teaching design in order to develop students' thinking abilities that are contextually appropriate. The participants consist of 5 elementary school science teachers from schools. The research employed semi-structured interviews and classroom observation as research instruments. The findings reveal that teachers engaged in self-development through observation and learning from their peers within the community of practice (CoP). They receive advice and feedback from fellow teachers and apply these insights to improve their activities. Consequently, teachers are able to continuously refine and develop their teaching approaches to align with students' contexts. This approach facilitate diversification in thinking and learning management, as well as collaborative teamwork to enhance teaching methods. As a result, engaging and interesting thinking development activities are incorporated into student learning, along with the creation of a seamless learning-promoting environment. Collaborative teamwork in instructional design and problem-solving further afford teachers the opportunity for additional self-learning and personal development. This collaborative approach also contributes to fostering cognitive diversity and relieved the need for individual teachers to undertake all tasks independently.

OPPORTUNITIES, TEACHERS’ ATTITUDE AND ENGAGEMENT IN CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) ACTIVITIES

This descriptive research investigated the opportunities, attitude, and engagement in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities among elementary school teachers in the Province of Iloilo for the school year 2023-2024. The population comprised of elementary school teachers, with 380 participants selected through random sampling. Data were collected through an online survey utilizing a structured, researcher-made, validated and reliability tested questionnaire. The results revealed significant differences in the opportunities for CPD activities across congressional districts. Additionally, significant variations were found in teachers' attitude towards CPD activities based on their educational attainment. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the level of teachers' engagement in CPD activities concerning both educational attainment and congressional district. However, no significant differences were found when teachers were classified according to their age, sex, school level, and school size. This study concludes that, while opportunities and attitude significantly influence engagement in CPD activities, their significant differences vary when they were classified according to their educational attainment and congressional district. Hence, it is imperative to consider these when designing CPD programs for elementary school teachers in the Province of Iloilo. Tailoring CPD opportunities and strategies is highly recommended to address the specific needs and preferences of teachers based on their educational backgrounds and geographic locations. Moreover, further research is warranted to explore additional variables that may influence teachers' engagement in CPD activities and to assess the long-term effectiveness of CPD programs in enhancing teaching quality and student outcomes.

Validation of the Learner Engagement Instrument for Continuing Professional Development.

Learner engagement is the energy learners exert to remain focused and motivated to learn. The Learner Engagement Instrument (LEI) was developed to measure learner engagement in a short continuing professional development (CPD) activity. The authors validated LEI scores using validity evidence of internal structure and relationships with other variables. Participants attended 1 of 4 CPD courses (1 in-person, 2 online livestreamed, and 1 either in-person or online) in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine model fit for several alternative structural models, separately for each course. The authors also conducted a generalizability study to estimate score reliability. Associations were evaluated between LEI scores and Continuing Medical Education Teaching Effectiveness (CMETE) scores and participant demographics. All statistical methods accounted for repeated measures by participants. 415 unique participants attended 203 different CPD presentations and completed the LEI 11,567 times. The originally hypothesized 4-domain model of learner engagement (domains: emotional, behavioral, cognitive in-class, cognitive out-of-class) demonstrated best model fit in all 4 courses, with Comparative Fit Index ≥0.99, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual ≤0.031, and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation ≤0.047. The reliability for overall scores and domain scores were all acceptable (50-rater G-coefficient ≥ 0.74) except for the cognitive-in-class domain (50-rater G-coefficient 0.55 to 0.66). All findings were similar for both in-person and online delivery modalities. Correlation of LEI scores with teaching effectiveness was confirmed (rho 0.58), and a small correlation was found with participant age (rho 0.19); other associations were small and not statistically significant. Using these findings, we generated a shortened 4-item instrument, the LEI Short Form. This study confirms a 4-domain model of learner engagement, and provides validity evidence that supports using LEI scores to measure learner engagement in both in-person and livestreamed CPD activities.

Analisis Kinerja Manajemen Tenaga Pendidik dan Kependidikan di SDN Lontar II Surabaya

This study aims to analyze the performance of teacher and educational management in SDN Lontar II Surabaya, focusing on the effectiveness of human resource management and strategies for teacher professionalism development. The research method used is a case study in several primary schools in a specific region. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and document analysis. The results of the analysis indicate that the performance of teacher and educational management in primary schools still faces several challenges, including lack of administrative support, limited resources, and the need for further training and development for teachers. Therefore, it is suggested that schools improve human resource management strategies, provide relevant training, and encourage teacher participation in professional development activities.

Continuing professional development opportunities: Teachers’ motivation and perceived effectiveness

Continuing professional development (CPD) ensures that learning is an ongoing process and that professionals should continuously upgrade their craft throughout their careers. This study explored the perceived effectiveness of professional development (PD) activities on teachers' competence, aiming to answer questions about what PD activities teachers participate in, what motivates and hinders their participation, and how effective they are perceived to be in terms of improving teaching competence and enhancing student learning. The study utilized a quantitative approach, collecting data through a survey instrument from 1,063 teachers from Central Visayas, which is Region 7 in the Philippines. The results showed that teachers engaged in a variety of activities for their own personal and professional development to enhance their instructional strategies and to meet professional standards. However, hindering factors included lack of time, funding, and workload. Teachers believed that high-quality and needs-based PD activities enhance teaching competence and practice and impact student learning. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of needs-based CPD programs to support teachers' ongoing professional development and enhancing their effectiveness in the classroom. By addressing the motivating and hindering factors identified in this study and prioritizing responsive CPD opportunities, educators and educational institutions can create a culture of continuous learning and improvement, resulting in positive outcomes for both teachers and students.

Teacher Research for Professional Development: The Tales of Two Teachers

Teacher research (TR) has become popular as a transformative continuing professional development (CPD) activity for in-service teachers. In Vietnam, English as a foreign language teachers carry out TR through a top-down national scheme called ‘ Sang kien kinh nghiem’ (‘initiatives–experiences’ (I-E)) to explore and attempt to resolve classroom issues through the application of ‘innovative solutions.’ This paper reports a part of a larger study which examines I-E scheme implementation. It focuses on the narratives of two teachers who engaged with the I-E scheme. The narratives, constructed through narrative analysis from narrative frames, semi-structured interviews, and the teachers’ I-E reports, reveal the affordances and hindrances in the experience of the teachers when engaging with the I-E scheme. The paper offers insights into TR for teachers’ CPD in Vietnam and has implications for effective implementation of TR for teachers’ CPD elsewhere.

A Quantitative Study on the Intersection of Personal Competence and Classroom Efficiency in Dance Teaching: A Case of Middle and Primary Schools in Dongchangfu District, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, China

Dance education plays a vital role in fostering creativity, self-confidence, and overall well-being among students. Effective dance instruction requires a deep understanding of the intersection between personal competence and classroom efficiency among dance teachers. However, this intersection remains relatively unexplored, particularly in the context of Dongchangfu District, Liaocheng City, Shandong Province, China. To address this gap, this quantitative study examines how dance teachers' personal competence influences classroom efficiency in terms of student engagement, learning outcomes, and overall teaching effectiveness. A sample of 93 dance teachers from 45 primary and secondary schools in Dongchangfu District participated in the study. The findings reveal that dance teachers generally perceive themselves as competent and effective in their teaching practices, with high levels of technical skills, pedagogical knowledge, adaptability in teaching methods, communication effectiveness, and engagement in professional development activities. Moreover, teachers reported high levels of classroom efficiency, including student participation and engagement, achievement of learning objectives, effectiveness of teaching methods, classroom behavior management, and overall satisfaction with teaching outcomes. The study underscores the importance of continuous professional development, student-centered instructional strategies, effective classroom management, and support for novice teachers in enhancing dance education practices. The implications of the findings for practice, policy, and future research are discussed.

Professional development activities of English language lecturers in Vietnam through the lens of sociocultural theory

Professional development activities of English language lecturers in Vietnam through the lens of sociocultural theory

“Without the video I wouldn't have known”: An experienced EFL teacher learning to provide oral corrective feedback

AbstractOral corrective feedback, a key aspect of second language teaching, has received extensive research attention. However, little is known about whether and how professional development (PD) activities influence teachers' beliefs and classroom practices regarding oral corrective feedback. This case study investigates the effects of a targeted PD program on one experienced teacher's feedback beliefs and practices. The program comprised a workshop facilitating the teacher to discuss recent research findings regarding corrective feedback in language classrooms and experiential learning and reflective activities for 8 weeks. The data included semistructured interviews, three sources of written reflections, and classroom observations conducted over 17 weeks. The findings showed that although the teacher had already been positive about the importance of corrective feedback in teaching and learning, she underwent several considerable changes in her beliefs regarding the types and timing of feedback. The findings also showed some considerable changes in her actual feedback practices. Implications for teacher PD programs are discussed.

Development of professional-pedagogical competence in future English language teachers

The study examines the professional pedagogical competence of future English language teachers. The concept of "professional pedagogical competence" is increasingly relevant in Kazakhstan's higher education reform. It reflects teachers' pivotal role and professional qualities in achieving high-quality education and upbringing. Our literature review defines the professional pedagogical competence of future English language teachers as an integrative set of qualities that indicate their personal and socio-moral experience. It also reflects their capacity to foster motivational, cognitive, and operational aspects within their professional domain. The outcomes of their pedagogical endeavors evidence this. Our model of professional pedagogical competence for future English language teachers is a pedagogical system that includes four blocks: target, conceptual, content-procedural, and criteria-evaluative. The criteria and indicators of professional-pedagogical competence are communicative, cognitive, operational-activity, and motivational-valuable. The communicative dimension emphasizes foreign languages as a means of personal and professional communication. The cognitive dimension emphasizes skills to solve non-standard lingua-pedagogical tasks. The operational-activity dimension reflects personality, professional development, and pedagogical activities. The motivational-valuable dimension emphasizes linguistic-cognitive motivation, professional self-awareness, the need for self-realization, and self-development. Our research findings contribute significantly to the discourse on teacher education in Kazakhstan. Our comprehensive model aligns with contemporary educational needs. It serves as a valuable guidepost for educational stakeholders and offers insights that can inform policy, curriculum development, and teacher training programs. Ultimately, it advances the overarching goal of enhancing the quality and impact of English language education in Kazakhstan.

From Pre-Service Preparation to Professional Development: Early Childhood Teachers’ Learning Experiences, ECE Quality, and Child Development in China

ABSTRACT Research Findings: This study examined the associations between early childhood education (ECE) teachers’ pre-service education (PE), professional development (PD) experiences, ECE quality, and child development. The participants included 52 teachers and 706 children from 52 preschool classes in Shanghai and Guizhou. Teacher educational level was associated with classroom interaction quality. The frequency and diversity of PD activities that ECE teachers experienced in the past year were also related to overall ECE quality. Mediational analyses indicated that the diversity and frequency of PD were indirectly associated with child development through ECE quality. Region of residence moderated the associations between PE and child development and between ECE quality and child development. Practice or Policy: Together, the findings highlight the need for policy to support ECE teachers’ professional learning from pre-service education to ongoing professional development.

Supporting Food and Nutrition Education in The Pacific Islands: Scoping Resources and Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers

Schools provide a unique opportunity to educate and motivate Pacific Island students and the wider Pacific Island community about food systems, food production activities (e.g., gardening and cooking) and to focus on the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy and sustainable food choices. Recent work(1) has identified limited access to appropriate and credible learning and teaching resources and varying integration of food and nutrition in the curriculum across the Pacific Islands (P.I) region. Teachers reported an ardent desire to incorporate nutrition into the curriculum, but were not sure how to do this, or where to source assistance, including credible learning materials. Stakeholders also reported requiring assistance to develop contextualised learning materials, and that there were limited options for upskilling in food, nutrition and agriculture. Recommendations from this work included the development of a tool to assist teachers to bridge the gap between understanding the benchmark or learning outcomes provided in curriculum and designing engaging and authentic activities and assessment to meet these. Therefore, this project aimed to identify food and nutrition curriculum materials available for Pacific Island educators, to inform the development of a web-based resource. In 2022, a systematic desk-based scoping activity was undertaken to identify any resources available to teach food and nutrition in Pacific Island schools (primary and secondary level) and professional development opportunities relevant for educators. The mapping identified over 70 resources, with resources from almost all countries identified. Some are available for specific countries, but few that are designed for use regionally. Some of these resources are directly aligned to food-based dietary guidelines, while others appear to be developed for specific activities by non-governmental organisations. Very few professional development activities were identified. Once a resource was identified, the project team used the CRAAP test(2) to evaluate the credibility of this. If deemed credible, the resource was tagged with key words (e.g., Tonga, gardening) and added for inclusion. The key resource categories (for tagging) were cooking, ocean and waterway foods, food in schools, food safety, healthy eating, sustainability, pacific research, teaching practice, gardening and WASH. A web designer developed the web-based resource through collaboration with the project team. Users can search for resources by country and/or topic. Based on the mapping of professional development activities, a professional development activity based on assessing the credibility of information was developed and added to the L&T toolkit. Users of the hub can share resources (their own) or identify other resources that could be added to the hub. There are limited resources and opportunities for Pacific Island food and nutrition teachers to upskill in food and nutrition education. School educators may benefit from more food and nutrition resources and professional development activities to complement those that are currently available.

153 Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on CTSA Training and Career Development

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Immediate negative impact of the COVID pandemic on CTSA T trainees and K scholars was reported in 2020 to be lack of access to research facilities, clinics, human subjects, and team members, and a need for homeschooling. In this study we examined in more detail the perceived impact of the COVID pandemic on training and career development three years later. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: CTSA T trainees and K scholars were surveyed in May-June 2023 to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and career development. Data were included from 309 T trainees and K scholars appointed in 2018-2023 at 50 institutions, with good representation from states that were heavily impacted by COVID. Respondents included 76 past and 64 current T trainees, and 56 past and 113 current K scholars. There were no significant differences in race, ethnicity, or gender between T and K respondents. Significantly more K scholars reported both being married or in a committed relationship, and having children. Survey items included the same questions asked in the 2020 survey, plus additional new questions. Results compare impact for T trainees and K scholars. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: K scholars were more negatively impacted for access to clinic/human subjects, home environment, child care, access to staff, increased clinical responsibilities, and other hospital service. T trainees and K scholars reported higher positive impact than in 2020, for having more time to think/write and develop new research ideas. About 2/3 of respondents reported returning to research full-time by April 2021, and the remaining by August 2021. Lasting changes in career progression or research direction were reported as both positive and negative (48%), negative (25%), or positive (10%). Most (2/3) respondents in faculty positions reported that a time extension was available for promotion and/or tenure. Additional in-depth analysis will be presented, based on qualitative analysis of open-ended questions. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Despite research shutdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that lasted for about a year, CTSA T trainees and K scholars were remarkably resilient. They were able to continue some research activities and professional development activities, and developed strategies to maintain productivity and minimize impact on their training duration.

102 CUBE: A Collaborative Undergraduate Biostatistics Experience to Bring Diversity and Awareness to the Field of Collaborative Biostatistics

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Despite a steady rise of graduate degrees in biostatistics earned in the US, the percent from minorities remains low. This poster will describe the Collaborative Undergraduate Biostatistics Experience (CUBE), an 8-week program aimed to diversify and bring awareness to the field of collaborative biostatistics, from recruitment through evaluation. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The CUBE program is funded jointly by the NIH’s NIDA/NIAAA (award number: 1R25DA058482-01) and is designed to give underrepresented minority (URM) undergraduate students in STEM the opportunity to engage in a collaborative biostatistics and health data science experience, along with related professional development activities. The program is built on four pillars: 1) training in introductory biostatistics, 2) training in R programming, 3) professional development, and 4) a collaborative research project addressing research questions in various disciplines. The CUBE program was delivered in the summer of 2022 as a pilot to four URM students at Virginia Tech (VT) and the University of Virginia (UVA), with two at each site. In summer 2023, the program was offered to 5 students (3 VT, 2 UVA). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: This poster will provide strategies learned over two summers with respect to recruitment and enrollment, along with details on the program content, timeline, and short- and long-term program evaluation metrics (both quantitative and qualitative). The CUBE program was well-received by students participating in summers 2022 and 2023, where improved attitudes towards statistics were demonstrated, and 7 of the total 9 participants (78%) over the past two summers expressed interest in pursuing a graduate degree in biostatistics or a career in quantitative research. Of these 7 students, 1 is currently enrolled in a biostatistics graduate program in the United States. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Results can be used to offer recommendations to leaders in the field on how to establish similar programs seeking to provide a pipeline for equity and diversity in the practice of collaborative biostatistics and health data science.

Invisible Educators: Understanding the Role and Impact of Casual Relief Teachers in Turkish Schools

Casual relief teachers (CRTs) are teachers who take the place of regular classroom teachers (RCTs) in primary schools when they are absent from school for various reasons such as illness, professional development activities, or annual leave. Casual relief teaching, which is not defined as an official duty in the legislation of the Turkish education system, usually occurs when surplus teachers nominated to the provincial order are assigned to crowded schools in provincial district centers. CRTs contribute to the sustainability of education activities in the absence of RCTs. The working conditions of these teachers vary, and they teach in different grade levels. In this study, the working conditions of CRTs in the context of the Turkish education system are analyzed from the perspective of different stakeholders. This study was conducted with the phenomenological research design, one of the qualitative research designs. The participants of the study consisted of school administrators (principals and vice principals), RCTs, CRTs and parents. The data obtained through qualitative interviews using individual semi-structured forms were analyzed using the content analysis method. According to the findings, CRTs were found to suffer from not having a fixed classroom, not being able to adapt to different teaching methods, experiencing various problems in classroom management, and facing disrespect from their colleagues from time to time. While serving as a CRT is an advantage for some CRTs due to family reasons, disadvantages occur in terms of having problems adapting to the school culture and forming organizational commitment. RCTs see CRTs as an important part of the education system and think that they contribute to the sustainability of teaching processes. School administrators, on the other hand, see CRTs as useful stakeholders of the school system. For school administrators, CRTs contribute to the school in terms of providing teacher flexibility and sometimes helping with administrative tasks.

Исследование удовлетворенности преподавателей английского как иностранного (EFL): мероприятия по профессиональному развитию в языковом центре в неанглоязычной среде

This descriptive study aims to investigate the satisfaction levels of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instructors in their professional development activities at a language center situated in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. A total of 30 EFL teachers were solicited to provide data through a questionnaire, and six out of the 30 were further selected for participation in semi-structured interviews. This study incorporated two primary techniques for data analysis: descriptive statistics for the quantitative data and thematic analysis for the qualitative data. The study concludes that the EFL teachers exhibited a high level of satisfaction towards the existing professional development activities that involved mentorship, observation, feedback from experts, and learning from colleagues. These activities fostered a supportive, collaborative, and personalized approach to professional development, resulting in the enhancement of the teachers’ knowledge, skills, motivation, and job satisfaction. The results, accordingly, suggest that language centers should adopt a personalized, supportive, and collaborative approach to professional development while also addressing the various factors that hinder teachers’ interest in research and writing.