In-service Teacher Professional Development Research Articles

The effects of adding social-emotional learning to a comprehensive education intervention in El Salvador on teacher well-being: a mixed methods evaluation

ABSTRACT This article employs a mixed-method approach to assess the effects of El Salvadorian Integrated Systems of Full-Time Inclusive Schools (SI-EITP), which offers in-service teacher professional development (TPD) combined with a socioemotional learning intervention, on teacher well-being. Findings from the cluster-randomized controlled trial with no baseline show null results for most teacher well-being outcomes analyzed. Interviews suggest limited effects on teachers’ mindfulness and emotion regulation and indicate that teachers’ participation in TPD was potentially increasing their stress levels and emotion exhaustion. We recommend that TPD program designs consider how the delivery mode and intensity may influence teachers’ stress.

Responsive facilitation: validating constructs to support in-service science teacher professional development

ABSTRACT In the United States, science education has experienced substantial shifts in the last decade. For in-service teachers, professional development programs (PDPs) play an important role in reform success. Despite well-known core features of effective PDPs, research still suggests a range of results among programs that claim to use those features. An analysis of the nuances associated with these core features has emerged as an important step in bridging the gap between conceptual and actual effective PD. This article presents the validation of constructs for responsive facilitation, which may serve as a source of these nuances. Using an adapted Delphi Method, constructs were validated by multiple expert groups. A 10-construct consensus is presented with an eleventh remaining under dispute. All constructs have connections to current literature and may support the gap noted above. Implications include a structure that may provide nuance to the core features and support more consistently effective PD.

Middle School Mathematics Achievement

Teacher professional development is often proposed as a means for improving students' achievement; however, few studies have been successful in empirically connecting teacher inservice interventions to their students' achievement gains, and especially in mathematics. The research presents results of a longitudinal study of an inservice teacher professional development that had as its primary purpose to improve middle school students' mathematics achievement. The study utilized a cross-school comparative research approach for the purpose of examining students' math achievement trajectories Hierarchical linear modeling was used for the study's data analyses. Results of the study revealed that the teacher professional development intervention had positive impacts on both the participating teachers and their middle school students. The participating students' achievement improved significantly for those whose teachers participated in the teacher professional development intervention.

Is GBL Good for Teachers? A Game for Teachers on How to Foster Students’ Self-Regulated Learning

This explorative case study investigates a game-based approach to the professional development of in-service teachers in Self-Regulated Learning. The impact of this approach was assessed in terms of acceptance of the game, knowledge gain and changes in teachers’ beliefs concerning the importance of nine design principles that can be adopted to foster the development of students’ SRL skills. Our findings suggest that the game-based approach adopted in this study was well-accepted, with Wilcoxon tests revealing that the mean rating is significantly different from the median point of the scale for all items measured after game use. As for teachers’ learning gains and changes in beliefs, a questionnaire submitted to participants before and after the gameplay showed significant changes in knowledge and a more varied but generally positive trend in terms of changes in beliefs. Thus, the study’s findings advocate for increased dedication to researching and experimenting with the incorporation of games in teacher professional development, potentially extending these efforts to other educational domains.

The Impact of ASSURE Model-Based Program on EFL in-Service Preparatory Teachers Teaching Skills and Digital Literacy Skills

Though a number of studies addressed the current needs in EFL teachers’ training, a main research gap yet to be addressed is investigating the efficacy of the professional development of in-service teachers using an instructional model and its actual impact on students. Through using three instruments -designed by the author- that included: (a survey of EFL teaching skills, a teacher knowledge test, a digital literacy skills scale, a teacher performance assessment analytic rubric), this study attempted to determine the impact of ASSURE model on EFL in-service preparatory teachers teaching skills and digital literacy skills. The results indicated that z-values of the teachers’ knowledge test, teachers’ digital literacy skills scale and teachers’ performance assessment rubric were significant. ASSURE model proved to be helpful in developing EFL preparatory teachers teaching skills and digital literacy skills.

Integrated Arts Education: Perspectives and Practices of Teacher-Educators and Student-Teachers

Integrated arts education (IAE) promotes authentic interdisciplinary connections, linking the arts with other subjects in meaningful ways. In this intrinsic case study, we explored perspectives of teacher-educators and non-arts student-teacher interns regarding the ways pre-service K-8 classroom teachers are prepared to incorporate IAE into their future instruction. We selected three higher education institutions requiring integrated-arts methods courses in the elementary education curriculum, then interviewed corresponding teacher-educators and surveyed student-teachers. We analyzed interview data inductively and deductively, while conducting cross-case analysis with focused coding. We found that teacher-educators' objectives and instructional activities aligned with their IAE perspectives, student-teachers indicated their intent to create and deliver IAE lessons, and participants highlighted strategies and barriers related to confidence and developing IAE pedagogy. We recommend practical, meaningful instruction that facilitates undergraduate students’ arts integration practices and ongoing professional development for in-service teachers in order to promote in-depth interdisciplinary education and highlight authentic arts integration.

CONTEXTUALIZING MENTORING IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION: INSIGHTS FROM LITERATURE REVIEW

Diversities and differences can be a celebration and impeding at the same time. The shuttle widening departure between these two creates havoc in the lives of those marginalized and wanting to be included. Education is a great level player for the growth, development and well-being of diverse groups of marginalized communities. With the release of National Education Policy 2020 and draft Bluebook on National Mentoring Mission (NMM), it is crucial to have a closer look at mentoring and how it can be maximised for effective inclusive education. The current paper through literature reviews tries to understand and explores scope for mentoring to better professionally prepare pre-service teachers and explores opportunities for continuous professional development of in-service teachers for inclusive education. When teachers are welcoming and professionally trained, to cater to the needs and requirement of marginalized: be it students with special educational needs (SEN), a migrant and a child in refugee camp, or belonging to social-economically disadvantaged group (SEDG), the lives of excluded can be respected, dignity installed and be a celebration. The big question is- are our teachers conscious, aware and professionally trained enough, to hear the voices of the excluded learners.

How Do Teachers, Trained in Techniques of Functional Behavior Assessment, Use Their Knowledge and Skills in the Classroom? A Follow-up Study

To make the case for pre-service and in-service teachers to learn how to conduct functional behavior assessments (FBA) and create function-based behavior supports, this study aimed to determine if, once trained, teachers apply their knowledge in some form in their classroom. Researchers have demonstrated that both teachers and students benefit from teachers learning to conduct FBAs and creating function-based behavior supports. Nineteen teachers who had completed a master’s level course covering functional behavior assessment concepts and procedures were surveyed to determine if they used their knowledge from the course to conduct formal FBAs to contribute to an individualized education plan (IEP) and in support of their classroom management efforts. Additionally, teachers were asked when they did not use formal FBA procedures if they attempted to determine the function of challenging behavior informally through daily observations of their students. Overall findings demonstrate the teachers used the FBA skills acquired during training both formally and through informal daily observations, with the majority indicating they applied knowledge of FBA during their informal daily observations of students. Teachers identified the main obstacle to conducting formal FBA as a lack of time, given their other responsibilities in the classroom. Implications for teacher preparation as well as in-service teacher professional development are discussed.

Digital transformation in foreign language education: Examining the position of the EFL teacher in ICT literacy diffusion

Digital transformation and ICT adoption in Japanese higher education has lagged behind other developed countries. Drawing on Diffusion of Innovation theory, this preliminary case study examines the role of English foreign language (EFL) teachers as opinion leaders in information communication technology (ICT) literacy diffusion in the Japanese university context. The preliminary findings indicate EFL teachers enhance ICT literacy in breadth and depth for both teachers and students. With these findings this study proposes a tentative conceptual model that adds to the current scholarship on ICT utilization in Japanese higher education by illuminating how teachers can support digital transformation to expand the breadth and depth of ICT literacy, and cross-cultural diffusion of technology. Policy and pedagogical implications for in-service teacher professional development are discussed.Keywords: EFL; opinion leaders; Japan; digital transformation; ICT literacy; higher educationPart of the Special Issue Teaching practices in times of digital transformation <https://doi.org/10.21428/8c225f6e.ac86609b>

Key factors influencing teachers' motivation to transfer technology-enabled educational innovation.

In response to the digital transformation in education, teachers are expected to develop new competencies. Although teachers gained valuable experience in digital technology use during the COVID-19 pandemic, research and practice show that primary school teachers need to be supported and trained for the new normal of innovative, advanced use and adoption of digital technologies in educational practice. This study aims to identify the key factors that influence teachers' motivation to transfer technology-enabled educational innovation in primary education. The Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) factors and the adoption factors of technology-enabled educational innovation have been conceptually mapped. The LTSI model has been empirically validated with data collected from 12.7% of Lithuanian primary school teachers. The structural equation modeling technique was utilized to analyze causal relationships of factors influencing teachers' motivation to transfer technology-enabled educational innovation. The qualitative research method was used to provide a deeper understanding of key factors that influence motivation to transfer. The conducted analysis shows that motivation to transfer is significantly influenced by all five domains of factors: perceived value, personal characteristics, social practices, organizational and technology-enabled innovation factors. Motivation to transfer innovation varies according to teachers' perceived digital technology integration skills, which underpin the importance of applying different roles and strategies based on the teachers' skills. This study provides implications for designing effective professional development for in-service teachers and creating a suitable environment in schools for the adoption of innovation in post-COVID-19 education.

Introducing Assistive Technology (AT) to Pre-Service Teachers: Observations and Experiences

Assistive technology (AT) can help students with special needs with their learning, and the importance of AT is on the rise with the development of new technologies and the diversification of student body. However, it is observed that pre-service teachers need to be better prepared for the use of AT in their teaching, including awareness, creative and innovative ways of problem solving, and pedagogical use of “low-tech” “mid-tech” and “high-tech” AT. Based on the observation and experience of the author in his teaching of an ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) course in a teacher education program at a middle-sized university in Ontario, Canada, this paper intends to broaden educators’ understanding of AT including hardware and software, emphasize the necessity of the introduction of AT in teacher education programs, and discuss the pedagogical uses of various types of AT tools. By sharing our observations and experiences, it is hoped that educators can be inspired to use various methods to expand the understanding of AT in pre-service teacher education and in-service teacher professional development programs.

Middle leaders as teacher educators: The case of the Kenkyushunin (chief teacher of school research) in Japan

Currently, Japan needs to create a framework that facilitates improving teachers’ professional development—a situation in which teacher educators become vital. This study focuses on the role of the kenkyushunin (chief teacher of school research) in the professional development of in-service teachers through school-based training, lesson studies, peer mentorship, and student guidance. Extant literature was analyzed to enable an in-depth understanding of their role. The findings indicated that the roles of a kenkyushunin as a teacher educator could be categorized as that of a teacher of teachers, researcher, coach, curriculum developer, and a broker. However, their role as a gatekeeper could not be confirmed. Further, their behaviors in each of these roles were also discussed. It was found that, as a school-based teacher educator, the kenkyushunin conducts lesson studies and joint research relating to the practice of teaching with colleagues and undertakes the professional development of teachers.

Reproduction to transformation: disrupting teacher habitus through pedagogic work

Addressing in-service teacher professional development is a significant issue for educational stakeholders as reform movements mobilize to replace teacher-led instruction with student-centred pedagogies. Teachers need access to high-quality professional development to mitigate implementation problems associated with reform practices. Drawing on critical ethnography, I followed the year-long professional journey of six in-service science teachers in Quebec, Canada. Video-recorded professional development meetings and semi-structured interviews captured how teachers worked to enact sophisticated inquiry-based teaching practices. I have used a Bourdieusian lens to examine teachers’ shifting habitus as they professionally develop in collaborative professional development. Findings suggested that the field of educational reform is transformative when teachers engage with a professional learning model emphasizing critical reflection and collaborative discourse. Using Bourdieu’s concept of habitus and field, findings illustrate the benefits of pedagogic work on teachers’ repertoires of practice to understand the generative potential of professional development to transform teachers’ instructional practices.

This can be made more student-centred: Asynchronous mediation in in-service teacher professional development

Vygotskian Sociocultural Theory is a powerful foundation for research into teacher professional development. However, while this research has been growing, it has largely been focused on pre-service second/foreign language. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on how the instructional process informed by the principles of Sociocultural Theory, including assessment of candidates’ mediated performance, can be orchestrated to promote teachers’ conceptual development and induce changes in their classroom practices. The present study explores how asynchronous assessment of in-service teachers’ portfolios (with the focus on lesson planning) informed by dynamic assessment framework shaped the tutor’s mediation in synchronous online interaction with two teacher candidates. Theoretically, the study was informed by Vygotskian notion of true concepts. Focusing on two candidates in the training, we traced their trajectories regarding their conceptual development and the development of their practices. We will namely, illustrate how the information received in assessment guided the tutor’s mediation, and how the synchronous interactions in the course shaped and helped to interpret the assessment of candidates’ unassisted and mediated performance on portfolios. We will discuss implications of our study and will argue for shifting the focus beyond single classroom activities in Sociocultural Theory research.

Exploring the challenges and possibilities of critical literacy pedagogy: K-8 teacher discussions about race in a virtual professional development course

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to better understand the ways in which K-8 teachers from a semirural, predominantly white district perceive their responsibilities to work toward anti-racism, as well as to learn more about how the teachers can be supported as they work to overcome the challenges facing teachers in these fraught times in this country’s history.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a reconstructive approach to critical discourse analytic methods (Bartlett, 2012; Hughes, 2018; Luke, 2002, 2004; Martin, 2004) to analyze an online discussion that took place among participants in a virtual anti-racist critical professional development course (Kohli, 2019; Kohli et al., 2015) as they grappled with what it means to confront their own racial identities, positionalities and responsibilities.FindingsThree primary tensions emerged in teachers’ discussion: between geographic and professional identities; between individual and institutional responsibility; and between literacy instruction and critical literacy instruction. In all three cases, teachers expressed the difficulties associated with enacting anti-racist critical literacy pedagogy in their school context, while also leaving space for possibility.Practical implicationsThe findings from this study add to the field’s understanding about how teachers in various contexts approach the work of anti-racist critical literacy pedagogy at different stages in their careers and how teacher educators might support them in doing so.Originality/valueThis study is important in its focus on professional development for in-service teachers, as much of the work has focused on preservice teachers and those who have been in classrooms for varying lengths of time have different levels of experience and different professional needs (Hambacher and Ginn, 2021). It is also notable that these teachers worked in a semirural, predominantly white district, as teachers working in such geographic locations often do not receive education about engaging with diversity (Anthony-Stevens et al., 2017; Anthony-Stevens and Langford, 2020) and it is essential that teachers and students in these districts are engaged if we are going to make headway in challenging whiteness in schools.

A View From the Inside: Ensemble Directors’ Perspectives on Standards-Based Instruction

In this mixed-methods study, we explored perspectives of ensemble directors ( N = 306) regarding standards-based instruction and circumstances impacting standards-based instruction in the areas of creating, performing, responding, and connecting. Our research was modeled on Byo’s (1999) examination of teacher perceptions of the implementation of the 1994 music standards. We conducted an initial survey and completed follow-up interviews. Every participant indicated familiarity with the National Core Arts Standards, with many reporting that they regularly addressed standards in their teaching. The anchor standards related to performing were most commonly incorporated, whereas those related to creating and connecting were the least commonly addressed. Teachers shared strategies that promoted standards-based instruction and described barriers that prevented them from fully incorporating standards-based instruction. There is a need for ongoing professional development for in-service teachers, dedicated planning time, and realistic expectations related to the creating, responding, and connecting standards in performing ensembles.

The effect of social media on the development of students' affective variables.

The use of social media is incomparably on the rise among students, influenced by the globalized forms of communication and the post-pandemic rush to use multiple social media platforms for education in different fields of study. Though social media has created tremendous chances for sharing ideas and emotions, the kind of social support it provides might fail to meet students’ emotional needs, or the alleged positive effects might be short-lasting. In recent years, several studies have been conducted to explore the potential effects of social media on students’ affective traits, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and so on. The present paper reviews the findings of the exemplary published works of research to shed light on the positive and negative potential effects of the massive use of social media on students’ emotional well-being. This review can be insightful for teachers who tend to take the potential psychological effects of social media for granted. They may want to know more about the actual effects of the over-reliance on and the excessive (and actually obsessive) use of social media on students’ developing certain images of self and certain emotions which are not necessarily positive. There will be implications for pre- and in-service teacher training and professional development programs and all those involved in student affairs.

Identifying Professional Development Practices and Needs of The English Language Teachers Teaching at Anatolian High Schools in The County of Antakya, Turkey

Teacher professional development is to be continuous to ensure its sustainability, indicating the need for unceasing scaffolding provided to the teacher for their professional learning staring with the pre-service teacher education program and going on till their retirement. In-service teacher professional development programs/activities could lead to anticipated outcomes, improved teaching and learning performance, providing they are structured around the real professional development needs of the teacher rather than the ones determined by professional development units of ministries of education or school administration. That is to say, bottom-up professional development activities are more likely to generate desired impacts than top-down ones. In light of this premise, this explanatory sequential mixed methods study aims to identify the professional development needs of in-service English teachers teaching at Anatolian High Schools in the county of Antakya, Turkey. In addition, this study reports on the English teachers’ professional development practices. With these purposes in mind, a web survey was distributed to the teachers and the data it yielded were analysed running descriptive statistics. To gain deeper insights into the teachers’ professional development practices and needs, a semi-structured telephone interview was conducted and the data provided by it was subjected to inductive content analysis. The findings demonstrated that the teachers had been taking a number of steps for their professional development and were mostly in need of taking part in professional development activities that aimed at improving their skills of teaching and assessing speaking. Additionally, the findings pointed to the high value the teachers attached to bottom-up professional development activities.

Promoting professional development of secondary school teachers in greece: in-school training in managing student behaviour

ABSTRACT The study aimed to train teachers in managing student behaviour and to investigate the impact on teachers and their students. The training was based on adult-learning and group-leading strategies (development/application) as well as Social-Emotional-Learning and School-Wide-Positive-Behaviour-Supports approaches (content). It consisted of training meetings, coaching and distance learning and was implemented at Thessaloniki middle school, using a neighbouring middle school as the control school. The stability of impacts was checked by follow-up tests after four and twelve months accordingly. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used for data analysis. After completion of training and four months later, an effective behaviour-management methodology and corresponding strategies were developed in the intervention school. Teachers reported increased professional self-efficacy, teachers and students evaluated their school climate more positively and students’ office discipline referrals decreased, compared with the control school. Benefits had decreased a year later, however, they remained increased compared with the control school. Ways to maintain beneficial results and a sustainable in-service teacher professional development policy are discussed.

The impact of teacher professional development on teacher cognition and multilingual teaching practices

ABSTRACT This longitudinal case study examined the impact of in-service teacher professional development (PD) on teacher cognition relative to multilingualism and pedagogical practices in linguistically diverse classrooms. Two teachers of English as an additional language (EAL) at a primary school in Norway, who teach large numbers of linguistically and culturally diverse students, participated in twelve workshops that focused on both theoretical and pedagogical aspects of language learning and multilingualism. Drawing on questionnaire and classroom observation data collected during two phases of the project (before and after PD), the findings suggest that the teachers displayed individual trajectories in the development of teacher cognition and practices. While one of the teachers showed considerable change over time, the other one remained more stable, suggesting that individual differences, such as language and family background, education, and teaching experience mediate the impact of PD. Implications for local PD at the site of data collection and broader implications for PD in multilingual contexts are discussed.