To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Drama education;teaching;professional development.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Drama education;teaching;professional development'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Drama education;teaching;professional development.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Anderson, Michael. "Journeys in Teacher Professional Development: Narratives of Four Drama Educators." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/665.
Full textAbstract:
Ongoing teacher professional development is an essential part of the wellbeing of the schooling system and successful outcomes for students. In the past, teacher professional development has been used to describe an often 'top-down' method of training to meet systemic needs while taking little account of teacher's individual needs. This approach often conceptualises the teacher's life as a dichotomy with the personal and the private separated and unrelated. In contrast, teacher professional development in this study is conceptualised as a journey that includes encouraging and discouraging turns. The journey is explored through the experiences of two primary and two secondary drama educators using Hargreaves and Fullan's (1992) organisers: teacher development as knowledge and skill development; teacher development as self understanding and teacher development as ecological change. The study focussed specifically on teachers of drama. Of the four educators two were beginning teachers, one primary and one secondary and two were experienced teachers, one primary and one secondary. The teachers were interviewed over twelve months. Narrative vignettes were developed from the interviews. As the context for these teacher journeys was pivotal, the influences on the teaching of drama in New South Wales were investigated. This included an exploration of the major issues that have influenced the development of drama education both internationally and in Australia. The concluding reflections from this study suggest that there is strong interaction between teachers' personal and professional lives. Teachers' personal circumstances, family histories and schooling backgrounds all have an important influence on their work as teachers. Significantly, issues related to drama education's history and current context reflected these teachers' classroom realities. The teachers argue that they understand their professional development needs best and should have influence and ownership of their own professional development experiences. They found aspects of their tertiary training and teacher induction unsatisfactory. The two beginning teachers in this study struggled to survive the difficulties of their first year and both seriously considered leaving teaching. The teachers describe self understanding through distinct phases of development that are made unique by each teacher's personality and context. The teachers saw subject identity and pedagogy as important to their professional identity. They report that times of crisis often lead to positive changes in their professional development journeys. The ecology for these teachers was made up of several complex issues that are resistant to change and there were a number of impediments reported by the teachers that arise from their teaching ecologies. Two of the teachers have used a change of context to improve their satisfaction and confidence levels. Two teachers described beneficial experiences with supervisors in the school setting. If beneficial ecological change is to occur, education systems must attend to the needs of teachers and provide opportunities to teach unimpeded by systemic obstacles. The study calls for changes in professional development and for the recognition of the multilayered nature of the teachers' journey. The study calls for a reconceptualisation of teacher professional development that recognises each teacher's ecology and self understanding. The renewed impetus for arts education will only be successful if the complexity of the teachers' journey is recognised and systemic obstacles are removed.
2
Anderson, Michael. "Journeys in Teacher Professional Development: Narratives of Four Drama Educators." University of Sydney. Policy and Practice, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/665.
Full textAbstract:
Ongoing teacher professional development is an essential part of the wellbeing of the schooling system and successful outcomes for students. In the past, teacher professional development has been used to describe an often �top-down� method of training to meet systemic needs while taking little account of teacher's individual needs. This approach often conceptualises the teacher's life as a dichotomy with the personal and the private separated and unrelated. In contrast, teacher professional development in this study is conceptualised as a journey that includes encouraging and discouraging turns. The journey is explored through the experiences of two primary and two secondary drama educators using Hargreaves and Fullan's (1992) organisers: teacher development as knowledge and skill development; teacher development as self understanding and teacher development as ecological change. The study focussed specifically on teachers of drama. Of the four educators two were beginning teachers, one primary and one secondary and two were experienced teachers, one primary and one secondary. The teachers were interviewed over twelve months. Narrative vignettes were developed from the interviews. As the context for these teacher journeys was pivotal, the influences on the teaching of drama in New South Wales were investigated. This included an exploration of the major issues that have influenced the development of drama education both internationally and in Australia. The concluding reflections from this study suggest that there is strong interaction between teachers' personal and professional lives. Teachers' personal circumstances, family histories and schooling backgrounds all have an important influence on their work as teachers. Significantly, issues related to drama education's history and current context reflected these teachers' classroom realities. The teachers argue that they understand their professional development needs best and should have influence and ownership of their own professional development experiences. They found aspects of their tertiary training and teacher induction unsatisfactory. The two beginning teachers in this study struggled to survive the difficulties of their first year and both seriously considered leaving teaching. The teachers describe self understanding through distinct phases of development that are made unique by each teacher's personality and context. The teachers saw subject identity and pedagogy as important to their professional identity. They report that times of crisis often lead to positive changes in their professional development journeys. The ecology for these teachers was made up of several complex issues that are resistant to change and there were a number of impediments reported by the teachers that arise from their teaching ecologies. Two of the teachers have used a change of context to improve their satisfaction and confidence levels. Two teachers described beneficial experiences with supervisors in the school setting. If beneficial ecological change is to occur, education systems must attend to the needs of teachers and provide opportunities to teach unimpeded by systemic obstacles. The study calls for changes in professional development and for the recognition of the multilayered nature of the teachers' journey. The study calls for a reconceptualisation of teacher professional development that recognises each teacher's ecology and self understanding. The renewed impetus for arts education will only be successful if the complexity of the teachers' journey is recognised and systemic obstacles are removed.
3
Simons, Jennifer. "Enhancing the use of professional craft knowledge in process drama teaching." Thesis, View thesis, 2002. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/720.
Full textAbstract:
The research articles in this portfolio describe and analyse how process drama teachers use the special combination of content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and knowledge gained in 'lifeworld' experiences (described in this portfolio as their 'professional craft knowledge') in order to promote learning. These publications also provide a detailed description of methods used in pre-service teacher education at the University of Sydney to enhance the development of professional craft knowledge in beginning teachers. The studies in this portfolio are framed within an interpretative research paradigm; the subject matter of the research is the way that teachers and learners in process drama collaborate to construct meaning. The methodology is primarily reflective practitioner research, recently described as one of drama's 'own innovative recommended research designs'. Qualitative methods have been used to collect and analyse relevant data. Separate sources of data are used to check the trustworthiness of the findings, through the process of crystallization : the alignment of sources such as reflective journals, outside observations, video records and oral reflections. Professional craft knowledge is developed by individual teachers as they reflect in action on the choices they see as available to them, as they work with their own classes. Often teachers are not conscious of the expertise they are developing; it quickly becomes tacit, embodied knowledge. However, reflecting upon their actions, teachers can usually explain why they acted as they did. The research articles in this Portfolio make use of reflection in and upon action in order to deconstruct the work of process drama teaching. As a collection these articles also examine how the use of reflective practices in pre-service education can facilitate and enhance the development of craft knowledge before teachers enter the professio
4
Simons, Jennifer. "Enhancing the use of professional craft knowledge in process drama teaching /." View thesis, 2002. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20031014.145035/index.html.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ed.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2002.A portfolio submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Education, University of Western Sydney, November, 2002. Bibliography : leaves 134-137.
5
Wang, Hsiao-Ting. "Introducing drama education in Taiwan : a case study in professional development." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2016. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/90067/.
Full textAbstract:
Researchers of drama education and literacy learning in Taiwan or the majority of western countries have suggested that the application of drama strategies in literacy teaching has a significant effect on students’ capacities for literacy learning. However, most research in Taiwan has been focused on the results and effects on the learner and not the teachers’ thoughts, problems, concerns and behaviours and there is an absence of research in Taiwan dealing with the problems and difficulties of implementation that the teacher who is new to using drama might face. Hence, one important consideration in this research is to investigate what kinds of factors or difficulties might impede or assist the motivation of teachers who are willing to bring new ideas and new materials, specifically the application of drama and picture books, to their literacy teaching. Another aim of this research, therefore, is to investigate the various dynamics and difficulties that might affect the success or otherwise of in-service education in drama for elementary teachers. This research explores five situations of experienced teachers Grade 3 teachers in four elementary schools in Taiwan while applying drama strategies and picture books in their literacy teaching. The data collection procedure was divided into two phases: the first phase of three interviews with the teachers I worked with and classroom observations made while they applied three teaching schemes in their classes; the second phase moving from the classroom level to the school level, and interviews with not only the teachers but also section administrators of the curriculum in each case school. The results of this study show that fear of the new application already had a negative effect which could reduce teachers’ commitments and motivation for change; especially when they were overloaded with their existing duties. In addition, the new application also indicated that there is a need to ensure that short courses are integrated within an overall framework for in-service development in drama education if there are to be positive outcomes of in-service work. Moreover, in this study, the school culture also affected the teachers’ practice and further professional development in these schools. In conclusion, although the results of this study cannot be generalised for the greater population of the elementary school teaching in Taiwan, it has provided valuable insights that might shape future professional development in this area. Ideally, this study will enable me to help develop effective, additional innovative programmes in Taiwan and provide other researchers with a framework for carrying out further research intended to improve the standard of teachers’ professional development.
6
Vail, Teresa M. "Teachers' professional development experiences: Implications for teaching practice." Scholarly Commons, 2011. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/28.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to inquire into the ways in which participation in physical science professional development impacts science teachers' professional learning and ultimately their practice over time. This study strove to provide a greater understanding of teachers' processes as they engage in professional learning and make changes in their practice long after the requirements of the professional development have been met. The six respondents that participated in the inquiry were physical science educators who were teaching in four different high schools in Central California. The guiding research question was stated as: How does participation in physical science professional development impact teachers' professional learning and ultimately their practice? Three sub-questions were also explored: In what ways does physical science professional development impact teachers' pedagogical content knowledge over time? In what ways does physical science professional development impact teachers' curriculum decision-making processes over time? In what ways does physical science professional development support a teacher's professional learning over time? Collective case study methodology was used in order to acquire multiple perspectives on the processes of teachers' professional learning and how professional development experiences have impacted this process. From four cross-case analyses of interviews, classroom observations, and documents, six themes emerged elucidating the process of professional learning. The process of professional learning is "driven" by a constant desire to learn resulting in the participation in professional development experiences where bits-n-pieces of curriculum are incorporated into the teachers' practice supported by relationships and reflection. The pressure to conform to education policy tempers the entire process of professional learning. Lastly, the process of professional learning has produced teachers as leaders. Each aspect of the process of professional learning has been impacted by the respondents' participation in professional development. By engaging in the iterative process of professional learning described here, respondents are transforming their professional development experiences in order to learn from and about their practice over extended periods of time. As professional learners, the respondents act as change agents in their own practice, schools and learning communities. Based on the results, implications for practice and recommendations for further inquiry are also presented.
7
Spencer, Trina Lorraine. "Cooperating teaching as a professional development activity." W&M ScholarWorks, 2007. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1550154168.
Full text
8
Hughes, John Anthony Bell John. "Teacher professional development in performing and literary arts education /." View thesis View thesis, 2002. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20030407.120141/index.html.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ed.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2002."A portfolio submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Education from University of Western Sydney, Nepean" Bibliography : leaves xii-xv.
9
Wellman, Jessica-Anne. "Drama, education, artistry: Australian practitioners fostering connections across cultures and disciplines in China." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2022. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2546.
Full textAbstract:
This study examines the experience of Australian drama educators working as professional development facilitators in China between 2017-2019. Limited literature exists that highlights the perspectives of professional development facilitators in this field. This thesis highlights the impact of engaging in this role on the practice of drama educators. Using an autoethnographic approach, data were collected from five individuals through semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 2004) highlighted that the participants' experiences acted as critical moments that led to positive personal and professional outcomes. Three key supporting factors for positive outcomes were identified: 1) critically reflective practice; 2) knowledge and experience in theatre practices and drama pedagogies; and 3) collaborative approaches to delivering professional development.
10
Wilson, Eric A. "Facilities as teaching tools| A transformative participatory professional development experience." Thesis, University of Colorado at Denver, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3633431.
Full textAbstract:
Resource consumption continues to increase as the population grows. In order to secure a sustainable future, society must educate the next generation to become "sustainability natives." Schools play a pivotal role in educating a sustainability-literate society. However, a disconnect exists between the hidden curriculum of the built environment and the enacted curriculum. This study employs a transformative participatory professional development model to instruct teachers on how to use their school grounds as teaching tools for the purpose of helping students make explicit choices in energy consumption, materials use, and sustainable living.
Incorporating a phenomenological perspective, this study considers the lived experience of two sustainability coordinators. Grounded theory provides an interpretational context for the participants' interactions with each other and the professional development process. Through a year long professional development experience - commencing with an intense, participatory two-day workshop -the participants discussed challenges they faced with integrating facilities into school curriculum and institutionalizing a culture of sustainability.
Two major needs were identified in this study. For successful sustainability initiatives, a hybrid model that melds top-down and bottom-up approaches offers the requisite mix of administrative support, ground level buy-in, and excitement vis-à-vis sustainability. Second, related to this hybrid approach, K-12 sustainability coordinators ideally need administrative capabilities with access to decision making, while remaining connected to students in a meaningful way, either directly in the classroom, as a mentor, or through work with student groups and projects.
11
Cordi, Kevin Dean. "Using Stories and Drama to Improve My Teaching: A Professional Storyteller “Bends Back” to Look Forward." The Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1253364538.
Full text
12
Garrett, Francene Ramon. "Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development Benefits for Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3298.
Full textAbstract:
There is a correlation between the professional development that teachers receive and student academic success. It has been shown that knowledgeable teachers have a profound impact on student achievement. Many general and special educators enter the field of education and are placed to teach in inclusive environments with little to no professional development related to inclusion. This placement often adversely impacts the success of students with disabilities on state tests. However, there is limited information on the types of professional development necessary for teaching in inclusion. Guided by Bandura's social cognitive theory, this study explored teachers' perceptions of the types of professional development beneficial for teaching in inclusion. The research questions examined participants' attitudes and perceptions toward professional development needs, professional development experiences, and instructional activities used in inclusion. A qualitative case study approach was used to purposefully select 5 general and 5 special education teachers who taught in inclusion classrooms. Data for the study were collected through individual interviews, which were recorded and transcribed, then analyzed and coded for themes. Teachers' perceptions showed there was insufficient training for new teachers, a need for ample planning time in their professional development routine, and a need to implement models of coteaching as described by Friend (2009). The potential for positive social change includes improved inclusion-based professional development for all teachers, which may increase the likelihood of student academic success.
13
Scoggins, C. "Professional development in elementary school mathematics." ScholarWorks, 2010. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/817.
Full textAbstract:
This study was an investigation of mathematics instruction and professional development at a rural elementary school. The Department of Education in a southern U.S. state implemented a new curriculum in 2007 that required major changes in mathematics instruction. The problems were that teachers engaged in different levels of training and many students experienced a decline in mathematics scores on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). The historical learning theories of Piaget and Vygotsky framed the study. The guiding questions focused on how to improve mathematics instruction through professional development for teachers. Nine elementary school educators served as purposefully selected participants. The research design was a case study that included triangulation of data from teacher interviews, a research journal, and documents such as lesson plans. Open coding and selective analysis generated 9 themes and 9 subthemes to answer the guiding questions. Findings showed that participants believed content and pedagogy should be addressed through professional development led by teachers themselves. Additional findings were that teachers valued collaboration, literature and research, observation, vertical alignment, engagement, relevance, and support. Results were used to guide the design of a mathematics professional development program (MPDP), a collection of relevant tasks, literature, and online resources geared toward improving teachers' content and pedagogical knowledge. The MPDP is immediately applicable in an elementary school setting. The implications for positive social change include better mathematics instruction that will prepare U.S. students to compete in the modern economy and world of mathematical and scientific advances.
14
Kannenberg, Elisabeth S. "The Impact of Common Core Professional Development on Teaching Practices." ScholarWorks, 2014. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/90.
Full textAbstract:
The adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in Mathematics represents a challenge for public educators due to the broad scope of required instructional change. This case study investigated the implementation of a professional development (PD) series across 11 elementary schools, designed to address the problem of insufficient teacher preparation in CCSS pedagogical shifts. Grounded in Vygotsky's social learning theory and constructivism, the training was intended to enhance teacher skills through collaborative, inquiry-based learning. The research questions included in the study examined math teaching practices before and after the implementation of the district training. Through questionnaires and interviews, perceptions of site administrators (n = 17) and math coaches (n = 5) were analyzed via inductive coding and identification of emergent themes to determine the impact of the PD in transforming teacher actions. Findings indicated the PD was effective in preparing teachers to execute math lessons emphasizing conceptual understanding and problem-solving. The resulting project, a program evaluation, was an analysis of the PD where strengths, weaknesses, and recommended improvements were identified. This project study is significant because educational leaders may benefit from the identification of successes and shortcomings of one district's CCSS launch, and may choose to replicate the effective programmatic elements. The study has the potential to impart positive social change as it offers solutions to minimize the achievement gap in the area of mathematics, enabling all students to be better prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
15
DelColle, Jeanne M. "Mentor Teacher Development During a Co-teaching Model of Student Teaching." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7285.
Full textAbstract:
In a co-teaching model of student teaching, mentor teachers are presented with opportunities for professional growth because extensive collaboration occurs with the teacher candidate throughout the process. Despite the proliferation of co-teaching programs, mentor teachers often lack formal training for their role. Further, insufficient evidence fails to show how collaboration between mentor and candidate contributes to professional growth for the mentor. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine such growth in 9 mentor teachers who hosted teacher candidates during 1 semester of student teaching to determine how a co-teaching model affected mentor teachers' own teaching and mentoring skills. Professional growth was examined through Wenger's 4 components for situated learning. Research questions focused on mentor teachers' initial expectations about their roles, their identity and growth, and the application of their learning and growth when teaching. At the end of student teaching, mentor teachers participated in a series of 3 interviews based in phenomenological techniques. Their responses were coded using an inductive approach. Identified themes included mentor teacher experience, communities of practice, actions during student teaching, and mentor teachers' reflection on the role. Key findings were that all mentor teachers reported that they grew in practice, but not all developed their coaching and mentoring skills, and some focused on transmission of content and skills rather than candidate transformation. The findings of this study may influence positive social change to ensure that educator preparation assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning through mutually beneficial partnerships.
16
Pesce, Jessica Rose. "Professional Development for Teaching in Higher Education: Faculty Perceptions and Attitudes." Thesis, Boston College, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/bc-ir:104134.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis advisor: Karen D. ArnoldFaculty members in higher education typically have been trained in their subject matter but not in pedagogy (Austin, 1992; Healey, 2000). With increased concerns over the rising cost of college, traditional institutions of higher education face scrutiny and external challenges to their stability. Higher education groups and the public at large have called into question the teaching skills and preparedness of faculty members (Altbach, 2011), often criticizing their lack of interest in teaching and preference for research (Advisory Committee to the National Science Foundation, 1996). As a result, a growing number of institutions have developed means for supporting and enhancing teaching on campus. Despite studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of such programs (Coffey & Gibbs; 2001; 2004; Van Note Chism & Szabo, 1998), faculty participation in professional development for teaching remains low (MacKinnon, 2003; Sorcinelli, 2006). This mixed-methods study uses survey and interview data from full-time faculty (n = 432) at two research-intensive universities in the Northeastern United States to determine their attitudes and preferences regarding professional development for teaching in order to increase participation rates. Statistical tests showed significant differences by demographic groups; female and non-tenure track faculty are more likely to attend professional development, more likely to view it positively, and more likely to feel it is undervalued on campus. No significant differences were found by discipline or institution. Semi-structured, follow-up interviews were conducted with 11 faculty members. The findings showed that faculty perceive that their institutions do not value teaching. With limited time, faculty feel compelled to prioritize research over teaching, despite wanting to devote more attention to teaching. Other issues they discussed were: work-life balance, lack of preparation for teaching in graduate school, preferred topics and formats for programs, messages received from the administration, and the desire to collaborate with other faculty. The findings are analyzed using Bronfenbrenner's (1979; 1993; 1995) ecological systems theory to develop a full picture of faculty members' ecologies. The study concludes with recommendations for program facilitators, administrations, and future research
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2015
Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education
Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education
17
Lee, Susan E. "Professional Development and Teacher Perception of Efficacy for Inclusion." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2013. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1131.
Full textAbstract:
This study was designed for the purpose of quantitatively examining the significant elements of reform-based professional development and their relationship to teachers’ self-efficacies for inclusion. The theoretical frameworks for this study were drawn from Bandura’s (1997) self-efficacy and social cognitive theory in addition to pre-existing research pertaining to professional development and teacher efficacy for inclusion.
A web based survey was developed and made available for voluntary participation to a total population of 385 elementary school teachers in one East Tennessee school district. Data were collected from 79 elementary school teachers in 14 of the district’s elementary schools.
Findings included no significant statistical correlation between teacher self-efficacy for inclusion scores and the amount of professional development completed during the current school year. Respondents did report a perception that inclusion was not significantly emphasized during professional development activities. Self-efficacy for inclusion scores of teachers with 11+ years of overall teaching experience were found to be significantly higher than teachers with 1-10 years of overall teaching experience. Additionally, there was no significant difference between self-efficacy scores of teachers who were required to take 1 or 2 special education courses for initial certification and 3 teachers who were required to take more than 2 special education courses for initial certification.
18
Erlich, Ilana. "The first year of teaching : novice physical education teachers in Israel." Thesis, Anglia Ruskin University, 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.247458.
Full text
19
Weber-Salgo, Amy. "Focusing Professional Development by Differentiating for Teachers." ScholarWorks, 2011. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1021.
Full textAbstract:
This study addressed the problem of low student achievement in elementary school mathematics and investigated the level of knowledge held by the teachers. Previous studies have shown that students who succeed in mathematics are more successful during their school years, including college, and earn a higher income level as adults. A theoretical framework of andragogy framed three research questions for investigation. The first question focused on the current professional development needs of the teachers. The other two questions investigated whether the mathematical knowledge relating to teaching (MKT) correlates with the socioeconomic level of the school or correlates with annual yearly progress (AYP) status. Randomly selected elementary teachers from 12 schools participated by completing a survey and taking an online assessment to determine their MKT level. There was no significant correlation between the teachers' MKT scores and the socioeconomic level of their school or the AYP status of the school. Results indicated the need for professional development in mathematical progressions and instructional techniques. Data also suggested that this professional development be adapted to meet the individual needs of the participating teachers. These data informed the creation of 45 professional development training modules for teachers. This study, with the recommended training modules, can initiate social change by providing teachers with individualized training and new instructional strategies to implement in their classrooms with their students, thereby promoting higher levels of student achievement in mathematics.
20
Avery, Sonya Yvette. "Teachers' Stage of Concern and Self-Efficacy Regarding Teaching Students in an Inclusive Classroom." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3655.
Full textAbstract:
Federal legislation mandates inclusion of students with special needs in general classrooms. Teachers in the Shelco school system implemented this mandate to teach in an inclusive classroom given limited professional development, and a desire for more. To determine their preparedness to teach with inclusion, 44 general education teachers participated in this correlational study. Two surveys were administered: Teachers' Self-Efficacy Survey and Stages of Concern Questionnaire. Scores were combined to identify and recommend groups of teachers for differentiated professional development. Social constructivism, which focuses on how learning is affected by social concepts such as self-efficacy and concerns, was the theoretical framework. The research questions examined the relationship between teachers' self-efficacy (SE) and stages of concerns (SoC) about teaching with inclusion. Data were collected on teachers' education, inclusion self-efficacy, and stages of concern about teaching with inclusion. Correlations between means for profile scores, grade level, and building were used to define grade-level training needs. Spearman's correlations indicated a significant correlation between teacher SE and SoC (r = .36). Results for the first school sample indicated no significant correlation between teacher SE and SoC (r =.-18), while results for the second school sample indicated a significant correlation between teacher SE and SoC (r = .47). This study has the potential to contribute to positive social change by encouraging administrators and school leaders to design inclusion PD sessions that are differentiated according to general educators' specific SE and SoC scores.
21
Davenport, Donice. "A Program Evaluation Of A Secondary Co-Teaching Professional Development Program." W&M ScholarWorks, 2021. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1627407506.
Full textAbstract:
Most students with disabilities in public schools are served in inclusive environments by teams of special and general education teachers working together to support their access to the curriculum and their disability related needs. This program evaluation sought to understand the knowledge, skills, and efficacy of a group of co-teachers following their participation in an in-service secondary co-teaching professional development program which focused on effective use of the station teaching, parallel teaching, and alternative teaching models to deliver specially designed instruction in co-taught classrooms. The program evaluation was based on Stufflebeam’s CIPP model of program evaluation and used a mixed-methods approach to gain insights into the perceptions of the teachers who participated in the program, along with the experts who designed and delivered the program, on both the immediate intended outcomes and the stakeholders’ perceptions of the program elements themselves and their need for future professional development. Findings from the program evaluation support that although teachers felt generally knowledgeable and grew in their intentionality and documentation practices, this knowledge did not always extend to classroom application. Additionally, the findings regarding the program elements reiterated the research surrounding effective professional development practices; specifically related to the importance of collaboration, modeling, and observation, feedback, and reflection cycles to support adult learners’ professional growth. Relevant findings should support the District in growing and strengthening future iterations of the program. Findings supported changes in both local practices and had implications for greater policy changes in education as well.
22
Watts, Dana Specker. "THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL CAPITAL: A CASE STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN ASIA." UKnowledge, 2018. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/edsc_etds/44.
Full textAbstract:
The goal of this study was to investigate the interaction between professional development and professional capital within international schools in Asia. The researcher employed a multi-site case study to inform the research goals. A conceptual framework based on Hargreaves and Fullan’s (2012) professional capital theory was used to guide the study’s methods and data collection.
The data were collected in two phases. The first phase consisted of a digital survey that was distributed to ten international schools associated with the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) and the Office of Overseas Schools (OSS). The survey was analyzed to identify the experiences and perceptions of professional development within international schools. The second phase was comprised of semi-structured interview data from twelve international educators to explore the relationship between professional development and professional capital.
The findings of this study helped outline themes of how a professional development fosters professional capital within the international schools. Specifically, international educators use professional development to increase human capital through their experiences to improve personal practice, while developing, retaining, and attracting educators to the international schools. Social capital is impacted through the amount of time international educators allocate to collaborative and networking experiences with other international educators within their field through professional development. By increasing decisional capital, international educators develop expertise with effective professional development guided through the support of mentors by increasing decisional capital.
The findings suggest professional development within the international schools studied is connected to an increase in professional capital. The findings also suggest international educators need to maintain a level of autonomy in regard to decision making to continue to increase professional capital within international schools. Suggestions for a refinement of the theory of professional capital leadership include a balanced approach to professional development where teachers use their human capital and school leaders use their social capital collectively to make professional development decisions.
23
Davids, Julia M. "Continuing professional development in nursing." Thesis, Link to the online version, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10019/1617.
Full text
24
Dodge-Quick, Ginger. "Use of Professional Development to Improve Attitudes of General Educators Towards Inclusion." ScholarWorks, 2011. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/856.
Full textAbstract:
This study involved the inclusion of special needs students in the general education classroom as required by law. The problem centered on general educators' perceptions of their abilities to meet the education needs of included students and their lack of training in special education issues. Research questions studied perceptions general educators had regarding inclusion and whether professional development addressed those concerns, and improved their perception of inclusion. The Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM) was the conceptual framework utilized throughout the sequential mixed-methods case study. Quantitative data of teachers' concerns were determined using the Survey of Concerns Questionnaire from the CBAM and the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale; interviews were used to provide clarifying qualitative data. Using mean percentile scores, independent t tests and paired samples t tests, quantitative data showed no statistically significant change in teachers' perceptions of inclusion, yet the qualitative data from interviews showed changes in participants' thought processes about inclusion. Data show a need for further research focusing on the effect of more training over a longer period of time. The study has social change implications in that it shows how the right training for general educators in special needs issues can help move those teachers past resistance of inclusion to acceptance of it, although the change may require multiple training sessions over an extended period of time. As general educators take responsibility for the success of special needs students in their classrooms, they can better assist those students to increase their potential for productivity within society.
25
Whitney, Brian T. "Searching for patterns of discourse in a sea of professional development : professional learning and teacher discourse /." Boise State University: Complete ScholarWorks record including accompanying resources if available, 2009. http://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/td/20/.
Full text
26
Byrd, Nijia. "Technology-Based Professional Development for Teaching and Learning in K-12 Classrooms." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4047.
Full textAbstract:
In an urban Georgia school district, teacher satisfaction surveys revealed that technology-based professional development was not equipping teachers with the skills or support needed to implement technology into their teaching practices. The purpose of this mixed-methods case study was to explore teachers' experiences and perceptions of technology-based professional development and its effect on self-efficacy. Guided by Piaget's constructivist theory, this study was based on the perspective that teachers often construct knowledge rather than gain it. Guiding questions explore the experiences teachers have had with technology integration in daily teaching practices, their self-perceived competency level and self-efficacy regarding technology, their attitudes about provided professional development and time and resources provided for their collaborative professional work, and perceptions about their technology related professional development needs. A purposeful sample of 35 teachers was used to collect quantitative data through a survey and 8 of these teachers were interviewed. Interview data were transcribed, coded, and member checked. Three themes emerged: teacher-centered versus student-centered use; necessity of differentiated professional development; and lack of support, resources, and time. Descriptive analysis revealed that most teachers were using technology daily. Factors contributing to the frequency and quality of technology use included resources, support, and self-efficacy. As a model intervention, the final outcome is a comprehensive professional development plan to provide teachers with a platform to share and improve their teaching practices, which when implemented will offer positive social change, in the form of support for these and other teachers, which will lead to improvements in teaching and learning and achievement of educational outcomes.
27
Ganza, William John. "The Impact of Online Professional Development on Online Teaching in Higher Education." UNF Digital Commons, 2012. http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/345.
Full textAbstract:
This study explored the impact a professional development program (Online Professor Certificate Program, OPCP) had on teaching online in higher education— specifically, the impact on faculty members’ teaching presence. The conceptual and theoretical model utilized the community of inquiry framework and both critical theory and transformational learning theory. This case study used data from various sources, including questionnaires, content analysis, and interviews. The overall results indicate that the OPCP had some impact on teaching presence, but not as much as anticipated. The study found that faculty who completed the OPCP were more engaged in their online classes than those who had not participated in the OPCP, as measured by the number of discussion posts. No statistically significant difference in teaching presence was found between participants’ retrospective pre- and post-OPCP responses. Participants mentioned mentoring and andragogy as the two most important parts of the OPCP. Educational leaders have an economic interest in this issue, as online enrollments increased significantly over the past decade, and the trend will likely continue. These increased online enrollments have impacted online teaching, creating a growing need for high-quality online teaching. Faculty need professional development programs to help them become more effective online teachers. The professional development programs need to be evaluated for effectiveness beyond the satisfaction level, with a focus on program outcomes.
28
Soderquist, Geraldine Lee. "Teacher professional development in technology integration." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2003. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2402.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this project was to design, create, and produce a web site for teachers that instructs them on the creating, developing and sharing of Web Quests. Web Quests utilize the wealth of information on the internet to provide a means of moving the teacher away from lecturer and toward facilitator.
29
Taylor, Suzanne. "Pediatric Nurses' Perceptions of Continuing Professional Development Opportunities." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/558.
Full textAbstract:
With the growth in healthcare research and rapid changes in technology, nurses' participation in lifelong learning is a critical factor in providing excellent patient care. However, many nurses encounter difficulties engaging in continuing professional development (CPD) activities. The purpose of this case study was to understand pediatric nurses' perceptions of CPD opportunities at a tertiary, freestanding, children's hospital in Southern California. Social cognitive theory was the framework for the study. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with a purposeful sample of 39 nurses comprised of day- and night-shift nurses plus nurse managers. The data were coded into categories and themes to explain the findings; the resulting 7 themes illustrated how these nurses perceived CPD. The nurses identified motivators and barriers that influenced their involvement in CPD activities. Most nurses reported that they were able to incorporate new knowledge into their practice and produce excellent patient outcomes but some nurses expressed instances of resistance and practice not supported with evidence-based approaches to care. Although the nurses found the programs adequate, they recommended ideas for improvement, including a need for leadership and management development. A project aimed at providing nurse managers with professional development in leadership was created to improve CPD. The project could improve the nursing profession by helping educators enhance CPD to support nurses in delivering high-quality patient care, thus supporting the healing and well-being of children under their care.
30
Gesner, Emily K. "Talking About Teaching: A professional development group for preservice secondary teachers." The University of Waikato, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/2792.
Full textAbstract:
As teaching is a highly complex activity, so too is learning to teach. One pedagogy which has been shown to promote teacher learning is the use of small group discussion. This thesis examines the experiences of seven preservice secondary teachers at a New Zealand university who met weekly during their second practicum to discuss their experiences at their placement schools. Individual interviews conducted with five of the participants revealed that students felt positively about the weekly meetings. The preservice teachers appreciated 1) being able to hear about the experiences of other preservice teachers 2) tell others about their teaching 3) being able to seek advice and potential solutions to problems 4) the sense of personal connection and emotional support they gained during the weekly sessions. The students reported that the weekly meetings allowed them to think about their teaching from the perspective of others, and gave them time to reflect about their experiences while on practicum. This study situates these findings within the literature on initial teacher education and offers suggestions for future research using this pedagogy.
31
Santos, Oscar. "The Perceived Effect on Teaching and Learning through the development of a Professional Learning Community for staff teaching English Language Learners." Thesis, Boston College, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/1182.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis advisor: Irwin BlumerThis study was conducted within a small urban high school that exclusively serves English Language Learners in the northeastern United States. The purpose of the study was to determine teachers' perceptions of learning from each other, student learning and school wide collaboration as a result of the implementation of a Professional Learning Community as a means of improving instruction. The body of related literature provided the theoretical rationale for the data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Major sections of the literature review included: the definition and elements that make up a Professional Learning Community, a review of the theoretical and recent research concerning best practices to support English Language Learners and a review of the research regarding teacher collaboration. Data were gathered from six participants through pre and post interviews, journal entries throughout the year of the study, field notes from announced and announced visits and teacher made documents collected throughout the year of the study. Key findings included participants' perceptions that: they learned both practical and adaptive skills from their colleagues, that peer observation aided teachers in improving their practice, that student learning and student motivation increased, that participants felt that they made stronger relationships with students and that collaboration increased as a result of the implementation of the Professional Learning Community. Current research asserts that schools that implement purposeful and well planned Professional Learning Communities that provide time, space and training may foster teacher ownership that can be used as a powerful vehicle for improving teaching and learning and school wide collaboration. The study findings affirmed this
Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2009
Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education
Discipline: Educational Administration
32
Crawford, Paula Hickman. "Exploring the Development of Teaching Expertise: Novice and Expert Teachers? Reflections upon Professional Development." NCSU, 2003. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-11172003-140523/.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine novice teachers? (n=7) and expert teachers? (n=7) learning experiences and how these experiences were integrated into the teachers? practices. The participants reflected upon experiences from professional development and their classroom during a semi-structured audiotaped interview. Data were analyzed using concept maps and matrices to distill the multipage interview transcriptions into manageable and comparable elements. Theoretical constructs underlying the analysis drew from expertise and situated learning theories. Comparisons between novice and expert teachers found that the acquisition of the knowledge bases in developing teaching expertise is a nonlinear process and that there are many factors upon which this development is predicated. The knowledge bases that are constructed as a part of developing teaching expertise are not acquired in a certain sequence, after a designated amount of time, nor as a result of particular experiences in a teacher?s practice. While there are distinct differences between novice and expert teachers, the findings indicate that most teachers seek guidance from colleagues rather than from staff development opportunities. Novices and experts both expressed concern regarding lack of time and that student academic diversity demands impact the quality of their job. Novices? concerns included classroom discipline, inability to level lessons for student needs, and insufficient time to observe more experienced teachers. The most significant difference between novices and experts was the directly inverse proportional relationship between experts? abilities to properly level instruction and manage the classroom and the novices? inability to do so.
33
Sullivan, Ann-Catherine. "Experienced elementary physical educators' perceptions and insights on professional development and the teaching-learning process." Connect to resource, 2000. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view.cgi?acc%5Fnum=osu1261311643.
Full text
34
Elster, Elana Beth. "Students of teaching : the professional development of the teachers of the nineteenth century /." Access Digital Full Text version, 1993. http://pocketknowledge.tc.columbia.edu/home.php/bybib/11354161.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1993.Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: A. Harry Passow. Dissertation Committee: Karen K. Zumwalt. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 188-198).
35
Johnson, Peggy B. "Technology Strategies in the Classroom After Completing Professional Development." ScholarWorks, 2011. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1142.
Full textAbstract:
In a school district, teachers and administrators found that students lacked the academic technology immersion necessary to ensure their technological preparation for the 21st century. Professional development was offered to prepare teachers to integrate 21st century technology into their instruction; however, teachers were not fully implementing technology. Administrators and stakeholders have indicated concern. The purpose of this study was to explore whether professional development was effective in increasing teachers' capacity to integrate student-directed technology into instruction. The study, guided by Prensky's transformation and Siemen's connectiveness theories, indicated that technology immersion was necessary within schools. The overarching research questions explored the extent to which technology-based professional development experiences have most directly affected the integration of technology into the classroom. The research design was a qualitative explorative study comparing archival teacher learning logs of 15 teachers from 5 high schools with 2 questionnaires. The narrative findings from the learning logs were cross-checked through triangulation with the percentage data from a Likert-type scale and questionnaire to determine accuracy and reliability. Data indicated that professional development increased technology integration in a moderate way, whereas comprehensive integration will better prepare students for the future. The purpose of the white paper report was to encourage stakeholders to collaboratively discuss the needs of teachers and review strategies to meet the 21st century technology skills of students. Implications for social change are that high school stakeholders who read this white paper may be prompted to discuss options to equip students to use 21st century skills to address personal, local, and world issues.
36
Chatman, Patricia Chatman. "Relationship between Teachers' Attitudes Toward Inclusion and Professional Development." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3390.
Full textAbstract:
Integration of general and special education students in the classroom has become common in many educational systems. Researchers have found that some general education teachers may have negative attitudes of inclusion when they are inadequately prepared to instruct in an inclusion setting. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to investigate the relationship of teachers' professional development (PD) on their attitudes about teaching in an inclusive classroom at a northeast Georgia middle school. Using Vygotsky's sociocultural developmental theory, the research question examined the difference in teachers' attitudes toward inclusion as measured by the Scale of Teachers' Attitudes Toward Inclusive Classrooms (STATIC) based on the number of PD workshops taken. All 150 general and special education teachers at the study site were invited to participate and the sample included 74 teachers who completed the STATIC. Analysis of variance results indicated that teachers who completed 3 or more PD courses had significantly more positive attitudes toward teaching in inclusive classrooms than teachers who took fewer than 3 courses. As an outcome of the study, a PD workshop was created that provided teachers with strategies to operate within an inclusive classroom. Informing administrators about the necessity to expose teachers to PD if they teach inclusion classes is essential to improving teacher attitudes, which creates an environment that promotes student success.
37
Moore, Jan Woodard. "Perceived Barriers to the National Board For Professional Teaching Standards Certification." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2002. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/710.
Full textAbstract:
Since its conception in 1987, much money and effort have been expended establishing the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Although 16,038 educators in 45 states and the District of Columbia have obtained National Board Certification, there are over 1,200 teachers in the East Tennessee counties of Cocke and Sevier who are eligible for National Board Certification, but have not obtained this certification. This study sought to identify the barriers that discouraged this population from attempting to gain National Board Certification.
The research design was inferential and utilized data from a survey instrument constructed by the researcher. A pilot test of the instrument was conducted, reliability coefficients calculated, and survey items retained, modified, or deleted based on the results. The final survey contained 38 statements (grouped into five subscales) and a demographic section. A total of 700 surveys were sent to eligible educators in the public schools of Cocke and Sevier counties; of those, 459 were returned and 448 responses were usable. Other variables studied were age, gender, teaching assignment, years of teaching experience, education level attained, future plans to attempt, not attempt, or unsure about attempting National Board Certification, informational sources, and overall opinions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In addition, a space was provided for comments.
Findings included: The most problematic barriers from greatest to least were personal obstacles, teaching professionalism, teacher morale, evaluation process, and financial considerations. Significant differences regarding the barriers existed in all demographic areas included in the study except for educational levels, and the majority of respondents had a negative overall opinion of National Board Certification. However, the opinion varied with the source of information about the process. Educators who received their information from local administrators and published materials had a more positive opinion than those that received their information from peers. This study indicates that the barriers identified are factors in keeping eligible East Tennessee educators from attempting National Board Certification.
38
Scott, Seth. "Academic Role and Professional Identity Development in Counselor Education." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5590.
Full textAbstract:
Professional identity development occurs during graduate training through mentoring, modeling, and academic training by counselor educators. If counselor educators are to transmit this professional identity, they must possess a robust professional identity themselves. Professional identity development theory suggests that the strength of this professional identity may be threatened by a lack of belonging in academia for nontenured or contingent faculty. A correlational research design using a purposeful convenience sample was used to examine the relationship between academic role, employment status, years of experience, and professional identity among counselor educators. The participants (n=50) were counselor educators who subscribe to the CESNET-Listserv. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to relate demographic variables to scores on the Professional Identity Scale in Counseling (PISC). There were statistically significant relationships between employment status and overall PISC score (p = .044) and Engagement Behavior subscale (p = .013), while academic role was related to Professional Roles and Expertise (p = .041) and Philosophy of the Profession (p = .024) subscales at statistically significant levels. Years of experience was related to the Philosophy of the Profession (p = .046) subscale at a statistically significant level. The potential social change from this study is that a better understanding of factors related to counselor identity in educators may positively influence graduate school mentoring, modeling, and training and thereby strengthen professional identity in counseling students, which in turn may improve the quality of future services to clients.
39
Mtose, Xoliswa A. "The use of teaching portfolios in the in-service professional development of school educators." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53182.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to critically evaluate the use of portfolios as a basis for reflection in an inservice education programme for school educators. In this context the study had the following objectives: to establish a theoretical background for the use of teaching portfolios; to provide a rationale for teaching portfolios as tools for professional development of teachers; to investigate the use of teaching portfolios as tools for reflection in an in-service teacher education programme and to provide guidelines for utilising teaching portfolios as reflection tools for professional development of in-service teachers. The Diploma in Education (DE) formed the basis of the case study. This undergraduate Diploma in Education is at level 5 (b). According to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) it is the level at which upgrading teachers who are regarded as 'unqualified' access the bachelor study. The DE is a typical case, because the findings from this case might be used to inform other undergraduate diplomas in Education accredited by the NQF in South Africa. Six in-service teachers were targeted for the research. At the time of analysis the teachers were in the first year of a two-year diploma in Education (DE) programme. The unit of analysis of this study was teachers' portfolios. The purpose of analysing portfolios was to find out how the portfolios portray the professional development of the teachers through their reflections. techniques employed included document study, interviews and observations. The data generating The constant comparative method was used for data analysis. The categories derived from the data analysis were the following: Portfolios are tools for learning from experience; Self assessment strengthens commitment to competent classroom practice; Portfolios provide opportunities for professional development. Concerns about portfolio development dissipate with time and Teachers were able to reflect more deeply. The teaching portfolio in this study has been identified as a vehicle for both self and collaborative evaluation. Guidelines for implementing portfolios in an in-service teacher education programme have been offered by this study, and recommendations have been made for further research.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om die benutting van portefeuljes as 'n basis vir refleksie in 'n indiensopleidingsprogram vir skoolopvoeders te gebruik. Binne hierdie konteks het die studie die volgende doelwitte gehad: Om 'n teoretiese basis daar te stel vir die benutting van onderrigportefeuljes; om 'n rasionaal te verskaf vir die benutting van onderrigportefeuljes as 'n professionele ontwikkelingsinstrument; om die benutting van onderrigportefeuljes te ondersoek as instrumente in 'n indiensopleidingsprogram vir skoolopvoeders, en om riglyne daar te stel vir die benutting van onderrigportefeuljes vir die professionale ontwikkeling van skoolopvoeders. Die Diploma in Onderwys (DO) het as basis vir die gevallestudie gedien. Hierdie voorgraadse diploma in Onderwys is gelys op vlak 5(b) van die Nasionale Kwalifikasieraamwerk (NKR) en bied aan "ongekwalifiseerde" opvoeders toegang tot graadstudies. Die DO is gesien as 'n tipiese geval, aangesien die bevindinge van hierdie geval moontlik vir ander voorgraadse diplomas wat op die NKR geregistreer is van waarde mag wees. Ses opvoeders wat indiensopleiding ondergaan het, het die teikenpopulasie van die studie uitgemaak. Ten tye van die navorsing was die opvoeders in hul eerste jaar van die tweejarige DO. Die eenheid van analise was die onderrigportefeuljes van die opvoeders. Die doel met die analise van die portefeuljes was om vas te stel in watter mate dit die professionele ontwikkeling van die opvoeders vergestalt deur hul eie reflektiewe aktiwiteite. Die tegnieke waardeur die data gegenereer is het dokumentstudie, onderhoude en observasie ingesluit. Die konstante vergelykingsmetode is benut in die analise van die data. Die analisekategorieë wat vanuit die data afgelei is, het die volgende ingesluit: Portefeuljes is instrumente vir ervaringsleer; Selfevaluering is versterkend in die verbintenis tot kompetente klaskamerpraktyk; Portefeuljes is geleenthede tot professionele ontwikkeling; Die ontwikkeling van portefeuljes is tydrowend; Opvoeders het die vermoë om in diepte te reflekteer. In die studie IS die onderrigportefeulje geïdentifiseer as 'n instrument VIr beide self- en samewerkende evaluering. Riglyne VIr die implementering van portefeuljes ill 'n indiensopleidingsprogram is voorgstel en aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing is deur die studie gemaak.
40
Moon, Jennifer Ann. "Towards purpose, clarity and effectiveness in training, teaching and learning." Thesis, University of South Wales, 1998. https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/towards-purpose-clarity-and-effectiveness-in-training-teaching-and-learning(2c39eb15-c66a-43bd-813a-c28ef768f403).html.
Full textAbstract:
Three projects are represented in this portfolio. Two involve practical work in the National Health Service and the higher education sector and one is a conceptual study of reflection in learning and professional development. All of the projects had the aim of developing clarity and effectiveness in particular areas of education - professional development, training, teaching and learning. The NHS project on professional development in health promotion (UK Professional Development Project in Health Promotion) aimed to improve the ability of those in non-specialist health promotion posts (e.g. nurses and teachers) to educate for health. Contributions of the work towards knowledge are in its concerns for ensuring that short courses have a significant impact on participants particularly through the use of an outcomes-based approach and planned reflective activities. The second project concerned the implementation of a credit framework in Welsh higher education. The development of a credit framework increases access to and flexibility within higher education by providing a generally accepted currency for learning. The main contributions of this work are in the development of specifications for this currency - guidance for writing learning outcomes and level descriptors. Reflection plays an important role in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of learning and the development of reflective capacities is central to the level of learning expected of graduates. The third project is a conceptual investigation of reflection, its interpretation in theoretical, professional and educational contexts and a consideration of how reflection is related to deep and effective learning. This involves the development of a new model of learning and the representation of learning both to elucidate reflection and to find better ways of using it to support the quality of learning at higher levels. There is substantial section on practical activities that encourage reflection in learning, including journal writing. While there are various interests in reflection, there have been few attempts to synthesise the ideas emanating from different disciplines and to relate them to current thinking about learning. The portfolio itself consists of the unpublished papers of the first two projects and an overview document that accompanies the portfolio describes the portfolio in the context of their contribution towards purpose, clarity and effectiveness in training, teaching and learning.
41
Campbell, Geoffrey James. "A case study of the implementation of a constructivist professional development program." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/30408.
Full textAbstract:
This study begins with a perceived crisis of confidence in professional knowledge. The traditional, positivist, "theory into practice" approach to the development of a professional knowledge base has been found to be unable to satisfactorily explain expert action—especially in situations of complexity and ambiguity such as those routinely found in teaching. Much recent literature, however, has taken the approach that professional knowledge must be constucted by the practitioner In the context of the practice. In this view, theory is developed from practice by reflecting on one's action-related knowledge. Unfortunately, because they tend to be Intellectually isolated and routinely having to deal with many clients at once, teachers have few opportunities to use this approach.
The problem addressed in this study is how to provide a professional development experience which fosters reflective activity and the personal construction of knowledge by teachers within the context of their classroom practice. The primary theoretical perspectives which underpin this study are those of "constructivism", in which learning is viewed as an active process of constructing concepts by connecting new information with prior knowledge, and "reflection as reconstruction of experience" in which reflective activity is seen as a way of reconstructing understandings within the context of practice.
These perspectives, together with a brief review of related literature regarding reflection within the teaching profession, provide the theoretical framework of the study.
The study consists of a case analysis of a professional development activity which was designed to promote the reflective activity of teachers. The activity gave two participant teachers an opportunity to observe and discuss videotaped recordings of each other's practice over a period of several months. The resultant discussions were audiotaped by the Investigator and transcribed for analysis. Informal examination of transcripts and analysis of metaphor were used to identify elements of teacher knowledge. Instances of reflective activity were identified using a "clue structure" or set of criteria. The study concludes that elements of teacher knowledge can be identified in a such a discussion of teaching practice, that instances of reflective activity were evident during the time period of the study, and that the professional development activity was perceived by the teachers as being of personal benefit.Education, Faculty of
Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of
Graduate
42
Antalek, Lisa K. "A Professional Development Approach to Improve Practice at an Upstate Community College." ScholarWorks, 2014. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/47.
Full textAbstract:
A federal Call to Action was mandated to reform community colleges across the nation, challenging college officials to enhance instructional methodology on college campuses towards increasing student completion rates. In addressing this mandate, college officials at the upstate NY community college identified a need for professional development that would increase student learning and enhance the instructional methodologies of facilitating faculty through improved alignment. Accordingly, this study investigated the alignment of faculty instructional effectiveness with the institution's core mission. The purpose of this study was to examine faculty perceptions of the instructional methodologies used to facilitate student learning. Informed by Knowles's theory of andragogy, the research questions examined instructional strategies and existing professional development of the faculty members to explore the problem of faculty alignment. The study employed a qualitative intrinsic case study design, with a purposeful sample of 6 part-time and 2 full-time faculty participants. The data were collected and analyzed through the use of a semi structured Likert-type survey and open-ended interview questions. Utilizing an open coding format, data revealed a lack of computer-based instructional strategies and a need for implementation of technological professional learning opportunities at the college. Faculty expressed desire for professional learning. These findings may inform college officials as to the importance of a professional development growth plan policy, and may contribute to positive social change by increasing student completion rates at the college level.
43
McGuinness, Meghan Ann. "Adult Learning-Focused Professional Development for Dental Hygiene Clinical Instructors." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1907.
Full textAbstract:
At a dental hygiene program within a community college in New York State, clinical instructors are hired based on their expertise as practitioners. Most clinical instructors lack a background in adult learning theory and practice, which is an issue because their students are adult learners whose average age is 26. The instructors' lack of knowledge in this area challenges their effectiveness. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore dental hygiene instructors' views about what kind of professional development offerings related to adult learning might help improve their teaching effectiveness. The conceptual framework for this project study was Lave and Wenger's situated learning theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 part-time clinical instructors from the same academic department. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged from data analysis: participants' commitment to teaching, experience with students' attitudes, desire for communication, satisfaction with students' successes, and need for professional development. These findings led to the design of a professional development program that includes content on behaviorism, humanism, social cognitive theory, cognitivism, constructivism, and experiential learning theory. The goals of the program include providing clinical instructors with a background in adult learning theory and identifying ways to implement adult learning theory into clinical instruction. In potentially improving the teaching effectiveness of clinical instructors, this study may result in the better preparation of dental hygiene students and, ultimately, lead to improved patient care.
44
Hooks, Laura Sebastian. "Towards More Effective Teacher Professional Development Initiatives." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1586.
Full textAbstract:
The No Child Left Behind Act (2002) and Race to the Top (2009) legislation have forged new school accountability measures and led to a sharp increase in demand for teacher professional development (TPD). However, data revealed that there is a disconnection between the training that teachers receive and its implementation, limiting its impact on student achievement. This qualitative case study's purpose was to reveal major barriers to TPD implementation and provide suggestions for crafting more impactful TPD. Based on the social constructivist foundation, this study sought to address the factors that increase teachers' receptiveness to more effective teaching techniques. It explored middle school teachers' perceptions of TPD, its connection to student achievement, and factors influencing implementation. Semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions helped to identify emergent themes. Nine participants were purposefully selected to gather data from perspectives across race, gender, and various teaching experiences. This study took an inductive approach using the constant comparison methodology of data analysis. Participants identified influencing factors regarding TPD, such as the inclusion of a follow-up component for accountability and feedback. Also, the participants insisted that TPD must be seen as non-punitive, relevant, engaging, and non-hypocritical; for example, a lecture cannot teach teachers about the ineffectiveness of teaching via lecture. These findings encourage positive social change by providing insight into crafting more impactful TPD. Ultimately, improved TPD encourages better teaching methodologies, increased teacher morale, and higher student achievement.
45
Kuebel, Christa. "PREPARATION, CONTINUING EDUCATION, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC MAJORS TEACHING ELEMENTARY GENERAL MUSIC." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1491408733327604.
Full text
46
Gatlin, Todd Adam. "Chemistry Graduate Teaching Assistants' Experiences in Academic Laboratories and Development of a Teaching Self-image." Scholar Commons, 2014. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5485.
Full textAbstract:
Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) play a prominent role in chemistry laboratory instruction at research based universities. They teach almost all undergraduate chemistry laboratory courses. However, their role in laboratory instruction has often been overlooked in educational research. Interest in chemistry GTAs has been placed on training and their perceived expectations, but less attention has been paid to their experiences or their potential benefits from teaching.
This work was designed to investigate GTAs' experiences in and benefits from laboratory instructional environments. This dissertation includes three related studies on GTAs' experiences teaching in general chemistry laboratories. Qualitative methods were used for each study. First, phenomenological analysis was used to explore GTAs' experiences in an expository laboratory program. Post-teaching interviews were the primary data source. GTAs experiences were described in three dimensions: doing, knowing, and transferring. Gains available to GTAs revolved around general teaching skills. However, no gains specifically related to scientific development were found in this laboratory format.
Case-study methods were used to explore and illustrate ways GTAs develop a GTA self-image - the way they see themselves as instructors. Two general chemistry laboratory programs that represent two very different instructional frameworks were chosen for the context of this study. The first program used a cooperative project-based approach. The second program used weekly, verification-type activities. End of the semester interviews were collected and served as the primary data source. A follow-up case study of a new cohort of GTAs in the cooperative problem-based laboratory was undertaken to investigate changes in GTAs' self-images over the course of one semester. Pre-semester and post-semester interviews served as the primary data source. Findings suggest that GTAs' construction of their self-image is shaped through the interaction of 1) prior experiences, 2) training, 3) beliefs about the nature of knowledge, 4) beliefs about the nature of laboratory work, and 5) involvement in the laboratory setting. Further GTAs' self-images are malleable and susceptible to change through their laboratory teaching experiences.
Overall, this dissertation contributes to chemistry education by providing a model useful for exploring GTAs' development of a self-image in laboratory teaching. This work may assist laboratory instructors and coordinators in reconsidering, when applicable, GTA training and support. This work also holds considerable implications for how teaching experiences are conceptualized as part of the chemistry graduate education experience. Findings suggest that appropriate teaching experiences may contribute towards better preparing graduate students for their journey in becoming scientists.
47
Moore, Eric T. "PHYSICAL EDUCATOR PERCEPTIONS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY." UKnowledge, 2018. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/edsc_etds/41.
Full textAbstract:
The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions physical educators had of a phenomenon: professional development (PD). Specifically, the study sought to understand the following question: how do physical educators perceive PD? Said in the spirit of phenomenological research, this study aimed to explore the lived experience of PD from the perspective of elementary physical education teachers. Subsequent research questions included: (a) How do physical educators perceive PD in relation to their physical education program’s role in public health?; (b) What perceptions, including potential barriers and facilitators, do physical educators have of PD?; and (c) In what ways do physical educators use PD to improve upon both teaching practices and student learning? Participants included ten elementary physical education teachers employed in the same county in the Southeast United States. A lengthy, open-ended interview between the researcher and all ten participants was the only source of data. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach, more specifically Hycner’s phenomenological five-step data explication process. The data explication process revealed four common themes as well as a variety of sub-themes across all participants. The four themes were analyzed to gain a true understanding of the lived experiences of physical educators’ PD. Those themes were: (a) PD for Professional Growth – A search for meaning; (b) Accessibility, (c) I Matter!, and (d) Relationships. Overall the study highlights the integral and often-personal role PD has in the lives of the study’s participants. The insights from this study may inform education policy makers, school districts, school administrators, and designers of educator PD to improve the overall PD experience of practicing educators.
48
Parson, Demita Sidonia. "School Bullying and Teacher Professional Development." ScholarWorks, 2015. http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1709.
Full textAbstract:
Bullying has become a serious concern in many American public middle schools in recent years. Inadequate professional development (PD) in bullying prevention and response strategies has compounded this problem. The overarching purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the growing problem of school bullying. Bronfenbrenner's socioecological theory, which states that environment and relationships influence student behavior, served as the conceptual framework for this qualitative study. Guiding research questions, grounded in socioecological theory, were used to examine middle school teachers' views of PD and their perceived skills in responding to or preventing bullying. Through purposeful sampling, 8 middle school teachers in a community in rural Alabama were interviewed over a 3-week period. Each had at least 1 year of teaching experience in the local rural setting. To authenticate study findings, discipline referrals and state incident reports spanning the 2 previous years were assessed for teacher management of bullying. Data were analyzed using open coding to identify and categorize the patterns and themes that emerged. Results indicated that the teachers perceived that PD would give them the strategies to recognize and manage incidents of school bullying. These results supported and informed the PD project for middle school teachers. This study contributes to social change by providing professional development that will help teachers to either prevent or manage school bullying appropriately, a benefit to children and communities.
49
Ali, Mohd Sofi Bin. "English language panels and professional development of ESL teachers in three Malaysian primary schools." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.327413.
Full text
50
Durr, Mary Sue. "Special Education Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development Around Assessment." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6419.
Full textAbstract:
The significance of professional development (PD) is acknowledged in research studies as essential to implementing rigorous state standards. Although the literature recognizes that PD is a crucial component in improving teachers' knowledge and skills, some teachers at a midsized urban public elementary school in the southern United States did not see the benefit of attending PD. The purpose of this study was to explore elementary special education teachers' perceptions of PD around assessment. Guided by a framework based on Chen and McCray's whole teacher approach to teacher PD, this basic qualitative study was designed to understand how these elementary special education teachers viewed the PD activities related to assessment at the local site. In-depth interviews were conducted with elementary special education teachers at LMP Elementary School who had attended PD about assessment. Interview data were analyzed using the content analysis method. Overall, findings revealed concerns regarding the quality of PD, lack of training, lack of evidence-based practice, teachers' intrinsic motivation and commitment, and teachers' autonomy. Findings were used to design a 3-day PD workshop that engaged learning techniques for special education teachers to assess and implement instructional methods to augment students with disabilities' academic achievement. Ultimately, this study has implications for creating positive social change by advocating and providing for special education teachers to be maximally engaged in PD aimed at enhancing outcomes for the students with disabilities they serve.