Teacher Training Programs Research Articles

Strengthening Policies for Education, Innovation, and Digitization Through Teacher Training: Evaluating ProFuturo’s Open Model in Ecuador

Teacher training and a commitment to innovation in teaching are determining factors in the success of technology adoption processes. This article presents a study on the opportunities produced through the collaboration of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education and the ProFuturo program, which arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. This collaboration resulted in the improvement of digital competency among teachers and pupils and in transference to educational practise. It also strengthened the existing limited capabilities for developing mass training programs for teachers in the country. The research was conducted through an online survey, with a cross-sectional, quantitative, and non-experimental focus from two data sources. A total of 3,565 teachers answered the digital survey for teachers trained using the Open Model in Ecuador between 2020 and 2022. On the other hand, 7,257 teachers answered the ProFuturo Self-Assessment of Digital Skills of Teachers (https://competencyassessment.profuturo.education/?lang=en). The results show an improvement in the competency of teachers following their participation in the program and confirm that they considered digital transformation in the classroom to be of great utility. Teacher training remains a cornerstone of high-quality education and research as this contribution proves a positive impact on learning experiences, where there was a significant transference, driven by an improvement in digital skills applied to the teaching process.

Bee pollination and bee decline: A study about university students’ Knowledge and its educational implication

Abstract Science education plays a crucial role in addressing the pollinator crisis by enhancing knowledge and fostering changes in attitudes toward this environmental challenge. Previous research has been focused on validating a specific instrument related to this subject, although its use for assessing students’ knowledge has been little explored. In the present study, we have evaluated the level of awareness regarding the significance of bees as primary pollinators among students of various disciplines at the Universities of Sevilla, in Spain, and Ouro Preto, in Brazil, emphasizing the importance of the plant–bee interaction. 753 students from the fields of biology, agriculture, and education were invited to complete a questionnaire focused on bee biology. The results indicate that knowledge on the subject is closely linked to professional career choice and that the training program for the future teachers effectively increased comprehension of the crucial role played by bees as main supporters of the ecosystem service of pollination.

Pedagogical translanguaging and trans-semiotizing in a LOTE Arabic classroom: the coordination of semiotic resources in alphabetic teaching and learning

ABSTRACT Purpose Based on the notion of translanguaging/trans-semiotizing, the study aims to explore an effective pedagogy in a foreign language classroom to respond to the multilingual and multimodal context and facilitate language teaching and learning. Specifically speaking, the study attempts to investigate the coordination of multiple semiotic resources during the teaching and learning of Arabic alphabet in a LOTE (Language other than English) Arabic classroom at a Chinese university. Design Drawing from a classroom ethnography for two academic years, the current study collected data from a focal Arabic teacher and learners via classroom recordings, semi-structured interviews, and stimulated recalls; multimodal conversational analysis and qualitative content analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings The findings illustrate how multilingual resources can be activated to organize the classroom, how multimodal resources can be coordinated to contribute to language learning, and how students’ individual resources can be integrated into the entire semiotic resources to enhance their understanding of Arabic orthography. Value The implications for LOTE education and teacher training programs are presented, including the encouragement of a multilingual, multimodal and multisensory teaching approach in the LOTE classroom. LOTE teacher's agentive role is demonstrated; LOTE learners are expected to make positive response to the teacher’s pedagogy, and become active co-constructors of the language classroom and agents of translanguaging/trans-semiotizing practices.

Incorporating translanguaging in English instruction: teachers’ beliefs, practices, and influencing factors

ABSTRACT The question of whether and to what extent should the learners’ language repertoire (LR) be incorporated into the teaching of English as an additional language has been controversial for decades. The findings reported in this paper are part of a large-scale research project funded by the Israeli Ministry of Education aiming to introduce a new multilingual education policy. This study investigates teachers’ beliefs and reported practices on the use of their learners’ LR in the teaching of English as an additional language. The background and contextual factors associated with teachers’ use of their learners’ LR were examined as well. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, data sources included online questionnaires (N = 253) distributed to EFL teachers, semi-structured interviews (N = 56), and focus groups (N = 5) with teachers and stakeholders (e.g. inspectors, counselors). The findings revealed two contradictory beliefs intertwined with teachers’ reported practices: a monolingual paradigm and a bi/multilingual perspective. Differences in teachers’ beliefs and reported practices were identified as a function of factors related to the teachers’ background, their role, and contextual factors related to the school setting. Implications for language teacher-training programs in contexts where English is taught as an additional language are also discussed.

AI literacy in Teacher Education in the Czech Republic

The development of artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming education systems worldwide, including those in the Czech Republic. This paper assesses the level of AI literacy among teachers and its integration into the Czech education system. The aim is to determine how well teachers are equipped with knowledge, skills, and understanding of AI, and how effectively they can integrate AI and AI awareness into their teaching. The methodology entails gathering data via a questionnaire survey distributed to teachers across various educational levels. The survey comprises questions that concentrate on AI literacy aspects, such as basic AI principles, the capacity to apply AI to teaching, discussing ethical issues related to AI use in the school environment, and critical thinking abilities. The questionnaire analyses the current state and challenges teachers face when integrating AI into teaching and learning practices. The results will be evaluated to identify areas where teachers' AI literacy needs strengthening and to propose strategies and recommendations for improving teacher training programmes and support. These strategies comprise teacher training, the provision of resources and support for integrating AI into the classroom, and reflection on the ethical and societal aspects of AI. It is equally important to invest in the long-term development of AI literacy among teachers as a fundamental step towards effectively harnessing the potential of AI in education and preparing students for the digital future. This article presents strategies and recommendations for the further development of AI literacy among teachers in the Czech Republic. The objective is to enhance their capacity and facilitate the more effective utilisation of AI in education.

NGHIÊN CỨU CÁC YẾU TỐ ẢNH HƯỞNG ĐẾN VIỆC THỰC HÀNH PHÁT TRIỂN VỐN TỪ CHO TRẺ CHẬM NÓI 18-24 THÁNG CỦA GIÁO VIÊN MẦM NON TẠI HÀ NỘI

This study focuses on evaluating the impact of resources, the coordination between preschool teachers and other educational forces, and the individual capabilities of teachers in facilitating/supporting vocabulary development for children with delayed speech aged 18-24 months in Hanoi, involving 255 teachers. Grounded in theories of early childhood education, the research employs quantitative methodology through data collection from questionnaires, aiming to understand the methods and factors influencing this process. The results not only provide a comprehensive view of language development practices for children with delayed speech but also propose strategies for improving training and professional development programs for teachers. Thus, the study highlights the importance of enhancing resources and improving coordination among stakeholders to best support children's language development, while also contributing to the formulation of appropriate policy recommendations.

Student Teachers’ Resilience During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Navigating Remote Teaching Practice

This article explores student teachers’ resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and their ability to thrive in online teaching practice. Amid the pandemic’s unprecedented challenges, student teachers exhibited remarkable adaptability in navigating the shift to remote teaching. Through qualitative research and thematic analysis, this article delves into student teachers’ experiences, highlighting their positive encounters with online teaching methodologies and tools. The findings underscore the importance of resilience and adaptability in the dynamic field of education, emphasising the valuable skills student teachers attained through their engagement with online teaching. Furthermore, the article explores the advantages of online practical assessments, shedding light on innovative evaluation methods that may shape future educational practices. Overall, the insights gleaned from this research contribute to a deeper understanding of student teachers’ experiences during times of educational transformation. Recommendations are also offered to integrate online teaching methods into teacher training programmes to enhance these students’ resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.

Interest, learning opportunities and teaching experience as predictors of professional vision in gender-sensitive physics education

ABSTRACT To promote gender equity in physics education, it is essential to understand the factors that influence how even pre-service teachers perceive, interpret and make decisions when gender inequities arise in the classroom. This means that we need to pay particular attention to teachers’ professional vision of gender-sensitive physics teaching. The following study examines pre-service teachers’ interest in gender-sensitive teaching and learning, as well as their learning opportunities and teaching experiences as potential predictors of their professional vision. A questionnaire and a vignette test were used for a cross-sectional survey of 586 pre-service teachers in Switzerland. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyse the predictors. The results contribute to the current research on gender-sensitive physics education, highlighting the importance of interest as the strongest predictor, followed by teaching experience and number of learning opportunities. The results are discussed in terms of their relevance for teacher training programs in gender-sensitive science education.

Aligning Cognitive Development Theory with Whole Language Teaching in Elementary Education: Strategies and Activities for Enhancing Language Learning

This paper explores the role of whole language teaching in addressing the developmental needs of young learners by emphasizing natural, holistic approaches to language acquisition. Drawing on Piaget’s cognitive development theory, the study examines how educators can adapt instructional strategies to align with students' cognitive abilities, fostering both linguistic proficiency and cognitive growth. The integration of technology in language instruction is highlighted as a key trend, providing interactive platforms and digital tools that enhance learning. Additionally, the importance of developing critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills is discussed in the context of preparing students for the demands of the 21st century. Recommendations for teacher training programs are proposed, focusing on incorporating whole language principles, Piagetian approaches, and effective technology use. Curriculum development that aligns with developmental psychology is presented as a strategy for creating integrated language learning experiences that promote academic success and personal growth.

INTEGRATING ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY IN TEACHER TRAINING: ANALYSIS OF FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND THEIR IMPACT ON TEACHING PRACTICES

he significance of integrating Islamic spirituality-based pedagogy into teacher training programs for the enhancement of both academic and moral teaching is now widely recognized.This paperattempts to analyzethe role of Islamic spirituality as a component in teacher training programs by looking at several faculty developmentsmodels. Additionally, this paper explores the types of teacher training programs in integrate spirituality at the respective faculty. Rather than providing instruction in institutional policy and regulations, as is the case in professional programs, these programs focus on spiritual leadership, ethical teaching, and reflective practice to educate educators who are academically proficient as well as capable of moral and spiritual development of their students. This paper explains that integrating Islamic spirituality within educator training improves teaching methodology, fostering student engagement, and enables holistic education. Although the benefits are clear, there are significant challenges, particularly in secular educational settings where balancing religious teachings with secular rules requires careful negotiation. This paper examines these challenges, including the shortage of trained Islamic educators and the difficulties of integrating religious values within secular systems.Nevertheless, positive ways of providing an opportunity are via inter-religious dialogue and can build a mutual understanding among the different nationalities in multiculturalclassrooms.Moreover,it is imperative to fill these gaps and complete training programs that involve tackling both religious and secular goals with a view to makingIslamic spirituality successfully embedded in education.Keywords:Islamic Spirituality, Faculty Development, Teacher Training

INTEGRATING ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY IN TEACHER TRAINING: ANALYSIS OF FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND THEIR IMPACT ON TEACHING PRACTICES

The significance of integrating Islamic spirituality-based pedagogy into teacher training programs for the enhancement of both academic and moral teaching is now widely recognized.This paperattempts to analyzethe role of Islamic spirituality as a component in teacher training programs by looking at several faculty developmentsmodels. Additionally, this paper explores the types of teacher training programs in integrate spirituality at the respective faculty. Rather than providing instruction in institutional policy and regulations, as is the case in professional programs, these programs focus on spiritual leadership, ethical teaching, and reflective practice to educate educators who are academically proficient as well as capable of moral and spiritual development of their students. This paper explains that integrating Islamic spirituality within educator training improves teaching methodology, fostering student engagement, and enables holistic education. Although the benefits are clear, there are significant challenges, particularly in secular educational settings where balancing religious teachings with secular rules requires careful negotiation. This paper examines these challenges, including the shortage of trained Islamic educators and the difficulties of integrating religious values within secular systems.Nevertheless, positive ways of providing an opportunity are via inter-religious dialogue and can build a mutual understanding among the different nationalities in multiculturalclassrooms.Moreover,it is imperative to fill these gaps and complete training programs that involve tackling both religious and secular goals with a view to makingIslamic spirituality successfully embedded in education.Keywords:Islamic Spirituality, Faculty Development, Teacher Training

INTEGRATING ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY IN TEACHER TRAINING: ANALYSIS OF FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND THEIR IMPACT ON TEACHING PRACTICES

he significance of integrating Islamic spirituality-based pedagogy into teacher training programs for the enhancement of both academic and moral teaching is now widely recognized.This paperattempts to analyzethe role of Islamic spirituality as a component in teacher training programs by looking at several faculty developmentsmodels. Additionally, this paper explores the types of teacher training programs in integrate spirituality at the respective faculty. Rather than providing instruction in institutional policy and regulations, as is the case in professional programs, these programs focus on spiritual leadership, ethical teaching, and reflective practice to educate educators who are academically proficient as well as capable of moral and spiritual development of their students. This paper explains that integrating Islamic spirituality within educator training improves teaching methodology, fostering student engagement, and enables holistic education. Although the benefits are clear, there are significant challenges, particularly in secular educational settings where balancing religious teachings with secular rules requires careful negotiation. This paper examines these challenges, including the shortage of trained Islamic educators and the difficulties of integrating religious values within secular systems.Nevertheless, positive ways of providing an opportunity are via inter-religious dialogue and can build a mutual understanding among the different nationalities in multiculturalclassrooms.Moreover,it is imperative to fill these gaps and complete training programs that involve tackling both religious and secular goals with a view to makingIslamic spirituality successfully embedded in education.Keywords:Islamic Spirituality, Faculty Development, Teacher Training

Measuring Teachers’ Motivation Toward Professional Development through Integration of Mobile Technology

The integration of technology in teacher training is an integral part of motivation in the 21st century. The integration of mobile technology in teacher training and professional development can bring about a meaningful change in their career. This study examines how, in the academic environment of Sindh, Pakistan, in-service training sessions contribute to the professional skill development and motivation of instructors. The study has two primary aims. The first involved examining how teacher training programs affected instructors’ willingness to continue in the classroom and to enroll in training programs. The second involved examining how these sessions affected teachers’ ability to advance their careers and develop their confidence and self-efficacy. Data for the study were gathered using a survey research approach. To gather information from 450 teachers in Sindh, Pakistan—both private and public—a structured questionnaire was created. The information gathered from the survey was examined using statistical analysis. The study’s findings demonstrate that in-service teachers are not as motivated or proficient in their professional development as they should be by training sessions through the integration of mobile technology. The main motivators for the instructors to attend these workshops are their financial and social advantages. According to the study, several essential elements of successful teacher preparation are absent from these in-service training sessions. As a result, the study suggests that training programs abandon their conventional methods and modernize to better meet the demands of teachers today through the use of technology, which most teachers avoid using. More than merely formal meetings, training sessions should be scheduled to prepare instructors for actual learning objectives. Future academics of teacher training programs may find value in the study’s conclusions with the application of mobile technology by providing appropriate pre-training sessions for the use of technology.

Language and Literacy Education in Austria: Teachers’ Perspectives

This study examines the critical role of language and literacy in educational contexts, emphasizing their significance in human development and social inclusion. Drawing on a diverse range of literature and research, this study explores the interconnectedness of language acquisition, literacy development, and educational practices. Highlighting language and literacy as fundamental human rights, this study underscores the importance of inclusive and equitable education. Through qualitative methods, including online questionnaires (n=18) and interviews (n=8) with teachers, this study investigates the implementation of language and literacy education in Austrian primary schools as well as the challenges faced by educators in this domain. The findings reveal diverse teaching methodologies employed by teachers, ranging from shared book reading to digital tools, while also identifying obstacles, such as multilingualism, professional training deficiencies, and student engagement issues. The study’s findings strongly support the need for targeted interventions to improve educational outcomes. Specifically, the challenges identified—particularly multilingualism and training gaps—underscore the necessity of ongoing professional development tailored to teachers’ specific needs. Enhancing teacher training programs with a focus on multilingual pedagogy and culturally responsive teaching can directly address these obstacles. Furthermore, the findings suggest that improving student engagement requires innovative and adaptable teaching methodologies, such as integrating digital literacy tools more effectively into the curriculum.

Challenges and best practices in training teachers to utilize artificial intelligence: a systematic review

IntroductionThe utilization of artificial intelligence is becoming a hot debate among researchers, academicians, and practitioners. Educational institutions are also training teachers to utilize AI in teaching. However, there is a dearth of investigation on the training of teachers to utilize AI. Therefore, this systematic review aims to highlight the challenges and best practices in training teachers to utilize AI. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were set to shortlist the relevant studies for review.MethodsThe review synthesized 10 studies focusing on the importance of AI, AI usage by teachers, challenges faced by teachers and trainers, and best practices that could be adopted by trainers.ResultsThe results highlighted teachers lack the motivation for AI utilization and it is the biggest challenge faced by the trainers. Therefore, the training programs should be motivating, customized, and highlight the importance of AI. Moreover, the training sessions should also provide a trial of the latest AI technologies to the teachers so that they can get hands-on experience.DiscussionThis review can help AI trainers design customized training programs for teachers by keeping in mind the challenges faced by them. An effective training program can be designed if a trainer is aware of potential challenges faced by trainees. Thus, this research has not only discussed the challenges but also provided guidelines for AI trainers training teachers.

Preservice Teachers Experiences with Mindful Awareness Practices: An Exploration of Archival Journals

Traditionally teachers have experienced higher rates of stress, burnout and attrition than most other professions. In the midst of a teacher shortage and child mental health crisis, teacher preparation programs must look at new, proactive ways to prepare teachers to meet the increasing demands of the profession. Teacher training programs have the opportunity and obligation to help preservice teachers learn how to manage stress, increase their social emotional competence and improve their wellbeing early on. Mindful awareness practices have been shown to reduce stress, increase wellbeing, and improve teacher efficacy in the classroom. Using archival student journals, this study explored pre-service teachers’ experiences with mindful awareness practices embedded in their courses. Findings include; positive experiences with mindfulness practices, challenges with mindfulness practices, struggles with mental health challenges, the importance of social emotional competence, and the interconnection between these factors and teacher wellbeing.

Six years of spreading BLSD skills in schools: empowering teachers as trainers

IntroductionTo increase the population's ability to handle emergencies, life-saving maneuvers should be universally acquired as an automatic skill starting from school through frequent and practical retraining. Teachers could be ideal multipliers, but it is necessary to design pathways that train and motivate them, since Basic Life Support and Defibrillation (BLSD) skills are not part of their academic curricula. This study explores innovative training solutions and facilitating factors to enhance BLSD education in schools by focusing on the training and motivation of teachers.MethodsIn the 1st year, an in-service training program for teachers was provided and assessed in a lower middle school in central Italy. The study compared the skills of a group of students trained by teachers with those trained by certified instructors, immediately after the course and 6 months later. Both the procedural skills and the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were evaluated, through a hands-on simulation. Over the next 5 years, the project was expanded to three more schools, and a field study was conducted where researchers monitored the teachers in their classroom work, supporting them in resolving critical issues.ResultsQuantitative assessments showed significant differences in student abilities immediately after the course, which diminished after 6 months. Qualitative evaluations indicated that teachers, initially reluctant, gained confidence and effectively taught BLSD skills. Over 5 academic years, the project expanded to additional schools, training 5,661 students in life-saving maneuvers with a ratio of 1 teacher for every 111 trained students, over the whole period of time. Sustainability factors included regular retraining of teachers, continually updated and free didactic materials and equipment, internal coordinators, allowing teachers the freedom to structure a customized course schedule in terms of timing and delivery methods.ConclusionThe study highlights the effectiveness of trained teachers as BLSD knowledge multipliers. Standardizing teacher training, including follow-up retraining, is crucial, but flexibility in student training is beneficial, allowing adaptation to the specific needs of schools. Future research should focus on the long-term sustainability of chain training in larger areas, identifying strategies to overcome organizational and motivational barriers.

The work of a prospective high school teacher in pre-professional training in highlighting mathematical knowledge

This article aims to identify the knowledge that enables a prospective secondary school teacher to mobilize number sense components during a pre-professional practicum. Using a qualitative case study approach, four classroom episodes focused on fractions, percentages, and algebraic language are analyzed. The study involves one prospective teacher and 23 students from a multi-grade school in central-southern Chile. The analysis integrates teacher’s specialized knowledge and mathematical working spaces to explore how these frameworks inform the teacher’s knowledge. The findings reveal that the teacher employs personal theories, real-life examples, and graphical aids to enhance students’ understanding, though there is a reliance on rules and algorithms. While specialized knowledge aids in teaching, there is less emphasis on fostering students’ conceptual understanding and judgement. The study recommends improving teacher training programs to better equip prospective teachers in grasping number sense components, highlighting the need for more focused training on its development.

Indonesian mosaic: the essential need for multicultural education

Purpose This desk research critically reviews the existing literature to be dialogued with interviews with several experts on multicultural education in Indonesia to provide input for policymaking and practical strategies. Through a systematic review of academic literature, policy documents and reports, this study aims to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with multicultural education and propose action-based and actionable solutions to promote tolerance, understanding and unity among diverse cultural groups. Design/methodology/approach Using a systematic review methodology, this study analyzed existing literature and involved semi-structured interviews with several experts on multicultural education in Indonesia. By searching academic databases and online repositories, relevant literature was synthesized to generate insights into the current state of multicultural education, key challenges and potential solutions. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes and patterns across the literature, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding multicultural education in Indonesia. Findings This research highlights the importance of promoting tolerance and unity among diverse cultural groups in Indonesian education, highlighting curriculum reform, teacher training and community engagement, despite institutional barriers and sociocultural prejudices. Practical implications The findings of this study suggest that to maximize the impact of multicultural education in Indonesia, there is a need for comprehensive teacher training programs, equitable resource allocation and localized curricula that reflect Indonesia’s cultural diversity. Policymakers should focus on developing strategies that address the unique challenges of implementing multicultural education in diverse regions, ensuring that all students have access to culturally relevant and inclusive education. Social implications The successful implementation of multicultural education has the potential to promote social harmony and inclusivity in Indonesia by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. Addressing the identified challenges and gaps could lead to more cohesive and tolerant communities, reducing social tensions and conflicts rooted in cultural misunderstandings. This research calls for sustained efforts to ensure that multicultural education becomes a cornerstone of Indonesia’s educational system, contributing to the country’s broader goals of unity in diversity. Originality/value This research contributes to existing literature on multicultural education by synthesizing insights from diverse academic sources. By systematically reviewing literature, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of challenges and opportunities in Indonesia and provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, educators and stakeholders. Emphasizing the importance of promoting tolerance and unity, this study offers practical strategies for realizing these goals in Indonesian society.

Digital Media Competence in the Mexican Interactive Generation. Have Digital Competence Programs Worked in Mexico?

Objective: This research presents results of the digital media competence scale applied to Mexican youth during the period 2009-2023. With this evidence, the study is contrasted theoretically and empirically with the five major official programs on digital media competence implemented by the Ministry of Public Education of Mexico in said period. Theoretical Framework: The study was adjusted to the recommendations of international organizations such as UNESCO (2018) and the European Union (Livingstone, 2019). The scale was developed and adapted from a broader study on Internet consumption habits, digital skills, and online sociability in young people (León, et al., 2013; 2014; 2015). Method: A quantitative methodology of longitudinal descriptive cut was applied to present the empirical results of the scale on a sample of (N=4,753) high school students in Mexico. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed the need to include a permanent teacher training program on literacy and basic digital skills in the field of basic education, as well as the creation of content on digital communication and information in all basic education plans and programs. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research provide sensitive information to modify future management programs within the public policy on digital culture. Originality/Value: The study contributes to the specialized literature by highlighting the management challenges that the New Mexican School headed by the current government should consider. The relevance and value of the data presented show a critical and independent position in contrast to the government's positions.