Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Professional practice'
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1
Coldwell, Michael. "Professional learning and professional careers : theory, evaluation and practice." Thesis, Sheffield Hallam University, 2018. http://shura.shu.ac.uk/21924/.
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This thesis uses a set of theoretically informed approaches to understand aspects of the professional careers, development and practices of teachers, addressing three questions in particular. Firstly, how can models, and other theorisations, help illuminate the influence of professional development and practice on a range of outcomes? Secondly, how can focussing on the situated nature of professional practice and initiatives improve understanding of professional learning and practices? Thirdly what new empirical research evidence can the approaches described in the first two research questions produce in relation to professional learning and wider professional practice? It does so via a set of eight papers published over eleven years, drawing on seven mainly mixed methods studies conducted over a six year period. In relation to the first research question, the papers use realist understandings of the social world to build a set of path and level models of professional development alongside critiques of these and other models. Additionally, they provide theoretical constructs to support understanding of professional practice, in particular boundary theory and career constructs. In relation to the second, the papers develop a set of features of context which are missing from earlier accounts, indicating that the context for programmes and change processes can be: dynamic, rather than static; agentic, acting causally not just as a backdrop; relational, operating at different points and in concert with or against other contextual factors; historically located; complex and systemic. Finally, relating to the third question, the papers cover a wide range of studies; however, all focus on the relationship between outcomes and change processes in situ, and in particular the various relationships between the programme or change process; individual teachers or leaders; the organisations within which they work; and wider political and other contexts. The findings link to and illuminate aspects of these relationships.
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O''''Loan, Laura. "Continuing professional development (CPD) for pharmacists : implications for professional practice." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2017. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.728387.
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This study considered the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities that pharmacists undertook, and the implications this had for their professional practice. CPD is mandatory for pharmacists, who are required to undertake self-directed, unstructured learning. However, some have recommended using a more structured approach for CPD which is over an above this baseline educational approach required by the pharmacy regulators. The purpose of CPD is to improve professional practice, although there is little evidence in the literature to demonstrate this. Engagement in extended patient care activities, as recommended in current healthcare policies in Northern Ireland, was taken to be improved professional practice in this study. A postpositivist methodological approach was used. Quantitative data was collected using an online questionnaire which was emailed to all qualified pharmacists in Northern Ireland (n = 2201). After two follow-ups there were 419 respondents (19%). Two multiple response sets were created; one for CPD activities and one for professional practices. Geometric coding was then used to convert this multiple response data into categorical variables, allowing the relationship between CPD and professional practices to be analysed statistically. The professional activities that pharmacists engaged in were found to be influenced by the CPD activities they had undertaken. Pharmacists who undertook solely unstructured learning had the highest incidence of engagement in semi-professional activities that can be undertaken by any member of the pharmacy team. Almost a third of these pharmacists engaged in some extended patient care practice. Professional practice was not improved by adopting a cognitive approach to structured or semi-structured learning. However, an improvement was seen when a constructivist component was used. It was concluded that active participation in practice activities improved the application of learning in the workplace, whereas separating theory from practice did not.
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O'Brien, Peter C. "Calculating the professional: Standards and the government of professional practice." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2018. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/115837/1/Peter_O%27Brien_Thesis.pdf.
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This thesis-by-publication problematised professional standards for teachers in Australia. Professional standards were found to regulate and activate teachers' professional conduct—opening it to unknowns—by articulating forms of knowledge from education, business, popular psychology, and 'self-help'; and by deploying techniques from frameworks of performance development to 'apps' for smart devices. Yet professional standards were found to be a double-edged sword: standards-based performance risks standardising professionals; activating professional autonomy risks unrelenting and pointless activity; and 'improper' choices in relation to standardised norms risks sanction and illiberal intervention. Always attenuating such calculated endeavours are teachers' personal-professional aspirations and goals.
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Alonso, Patricia. "Education for Professional Practice: Runestone Model." Thesis, Uppsala University, Department of Information Technology, 2008. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-98321.
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Nowadays, types of production and process technology are present in most ofsectors of the economy. The rate of progress is very fast and the manner in which technology is deployed and used undergoes continuous change. This is perhaps especially true for Information Technologies, where computers now have a great influence on our society. Therefore education in Computer Science should respond to the nature of the discipline and also be very dynamic.
In higher education, the transition from University to the beginning of professional career is a crucial moment for students. Education in Computer Science is focused on technical skills. Typically not much attention is given to the non-technical skills needed for life as a computing professional.
This thesis studies the current state of education in Computer Science, and how it trains students for their future professional career and factors that increase their successfulness and competitiveness in Industry. Universities typically provide students with an excellent technical education. But, nowadays the profile of professionals in Computing requires also other complementary aspects.
For this study, the thesis investigates an innovative approach to integratingprofessional practice into University education. The Runestone project, a coursegiven since the mid 1990's is a collaboration between the Universities of Uppsala (Sweden), GVSU Allendale, MI (USA) and Turku (Finland). This course, with its international perspective, hopes to train to the students not only in technical skills but also in non-technical skills representative of modern professional practice. The course encourages the students to realise the importance of these other aspects, understanding the function of a professional with a wider perspective.
The thesis studies the 2007 offering of the Runestone project. It analyzes theexperiences of teachers and students, drawing on interview and survey information. Data sources include interviews and survey responses from the teachers of the three participating Universities as well as students from the three countries involved.
The thesis has two objectives: to study the attitudes of the teacher in regard to the intention of the course and the study of students as they gain experience as a result of the course. The part of the analysis dealing with the teachers is centred in the study of their vision of the current education of Computer Science, their motivations and objectives of the course, the structure, methodology and tools used for it, the course as international project and the importance of the learning of communication in team. The part of the analysis of student's experience and motivation is centred in their vision of the courses role in their future professional practice in computing, motivations for the course, acquired skills during the course, how they worked in a team and the course as an international project.
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Lundvall, Lise-Lott. "Radiographers’ professional practice : a Swedish perspective." Licentiate thesis, Linköpings universitet, Avdelningen för radiologiska vetenskaper, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-111722.
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The general aim of this thesis was to empirically describe the radiographers’ professional scope in diagnostic imaging from the viewpoint of the practitioners and investigate how technical development affects the relations and actions in this practice. Data was collected by interviews and observations to both studies at the same time with two different aims. Eight radiographers (n=8) were interviewed. The interviews were open in character, were recorded with a digital voice recorder, and transcribed verbatim by the interviewer. The interview guide consisted of four interview questions. The observations of radiographers during their work with Computer Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were conducted in a middle-sized radiology department in the southern part of Sweden. The observations were ten (n=10) in total. Two different theoretical perspectives were used: phenomenology (Study I) and practice theory perspective (Study II). Data was analysed with a phenomenological method in Study I. In Study II data was firstly analysed inductively, which resulted in seven codes. Secondly, abduction was made by interpretation of these codes from a practice theory perspective. This led to four themes. The findings in Study I display the main aspect of the radiographers’ work with image production. Their general tasks and responsibilities can be viewed as a process with the goal of producing images that can be used for diagnosis purposes. The process has three different phases: planning the examination, production of images, and evaluation of the image quality. The radiographers experience the production of images as their autonomous professional area. The findings in Study II report how technology development affects the relations between different actors and their actions in the practice of Computer Tomography. Four themes were identified; 1) Changed materiality makes the practical action easier. Radiographers’ practica work with image production has become easier when working with CT compared to conventional techniques because the CT usually performs the image production in one scan. 2) Changed machines cause conflict between the arrangements of the work and the patients` needs. It is difficult to plan the examination individually for each patient because of the arrangements of the CT practice, i.e. they have little information about the patient before the examination. 3) Changing materiality prefigures learning. The radiographers describe a need for constant learning activities because of the changing procedures for image production and new modalities for image production. If not achieved it may affect their relations with the patients. 4) How the connections between different practices lead to times when practical reasoning is required in the radiography process with CT. The connections between the different professions in CT practice mainly occur through material arrangements because physically they work in different areas. The external arrangements in CT practice pre-figure actions for securing accurate radiation level and image quality. But the radiographers, who meet the patients, have to critically judge the intended actions in relation to clinical observed data to ensure patient safety.
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Taylor, R. Michael. "Deprofessionalization of the corporate optometrist? contrasting characteristics of the bureaucratic and professional models /." Thesis, Birmingham, Ala. : University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. http://www.mhsl.uab.edu/dt/2007p/taylor.pdf.
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Hirtz, Janine Renee Marie. "Teacher professional development and communities of practice." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/2802.
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The larger research project seeks to examine the role of technology and factors that
influence its overall use and efficacy in supporting a community of teachers engaged in
professional development. This thesis examines factors that appear to influence teacher
participation in the online community of practice engaging in an overarching research project
conducted by Dr. Balcaen and a team from UBC O Faculty of Education and funded by the
Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium (SAPDC). The two groups are
acting in partnership for supporting and sustaining communities of practice in social studies
in southern Alberta. SAPDC is allowing teachers release time to engage in the project while
TC² is providing professional development for the participant teachers to become proficient
at embedding TC² critical thinking tools into their classroom practices. Various technologies
are used during this study as part of the design of providing professional development for the
participants including supporting an online community presence. The guiding question for
this thesis is: In a blended approach of face-to-face and online supported professional
development for embedding critical thinking into the new social studies curriculum, what
significant factors appear to influence teacher participation in the online community of
practice during the first year of the project?
Overall results during the first year of this project show that various technologies
used during the project are valuable and effective in nurturing this community of practice by
enabling and promoting collaboration, communication, and the completion and delivery of
products to be used in teaching the new curriculum. I also examine negative factors that
appear to prevent some teachers’ technology use and online participation and collaboration
during this project. Findings show that there are several significant factors that influence
participation in the online community and while some participants are reluctant to engage or
enter the online environment, others have emerged as leaders and play a significant role in
building and sustaining the community of practice. These results provide critical information
about implementing and integrating an online component and using technology to sustain
communities of practice engaged in this form of teacher professional development.
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Pook, Carol. "Peer observation : a paradox of professional practice." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2009. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/798091/.
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Peer observation is widely used within UK Higher Education (HE) institutions as a means of improving teaching standards. Interest in processes such as peer observation has risen as a result of an increasingly prevalent audit culture. Policies aimed at increasing levels of accountability in public Institutions have contributed to the commercialisation of education and have been accompanied by an increasingly dominant managerialist hegemony. The Dearing Report (1997) is widely recognised for advocating increasingly professional approaches to teaching within HE and recommended a greater emphasis on both standards and monitoring.
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Lanman, Sarah Ann. "Counselor Educators: Clinical Practice and Professional Identity." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1313686817.
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Edwards, Kelly Alison. "Teaching for professional responsibility in medical practice /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/7649.
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Osborn, Teri L. "HOW TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GUIDES INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/307.
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Technology integration for today’s classroom has been characterized as insufficient for today’s global society. Teachers need better training programs or professional development specifically focusing on integrating technology into instructional practice. This study examined the technology professional development experiences with regard to educational technology integration to determine how much exposure and level of perceived quality of Technology Professional Development (TPD) received by teachers, the characteristics of TPD, integration levels of technology and perceived readiness for technology integration.
An online survey instrument was developed and used to collect data from 100 teachers of grades K-12 from all disciplines: science, math, language arts, fine arts, social science, and multi-grade or multi-discipline classes. Items on the survey included five-point Likert scale measures to establish levels of technology integration and TPD participation. Additionally, a researcher-designed interview protocol collected information from 10 volunteer participants that completed the survey to gather more details about technology TPD experiences, teacher technology self-efficacy and integration of technology into the classroom. The survey results were analyzed using SPSS software. A Pearson’s correlation was computed to evaluate the relationship between TPD and Technology Integration. Results show a positive correlation between the two variables (r = .651, p < 0.01). Overall, the data supported the strong correlation between Technology Professional Development and Technology Integration.
The qualitative data were analyzed using the ATLAS.ti program that revealed emerging themes regarding professional development experiences, the perceived levels of technology integration, and perceived changes in self-efficacy The results show that technology was being integrated in instruction and learning at moderate levels in the schools. Qualitative responses supported the statistical results. Participants expressed positive feelings regarding progress of technology integration in the classroom. Concerns regarding technology integration barriers such as lack of time for TPD, quality of TPD and access to devices in the classroom were present and will need to be addressed to ensure technology infusion in the classroom and curriculum. According to the data collected and analysis of the results, this study showed that as a whole, technology professional development is providing a positive guide for the integration of technology into today’s classrooms.
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Lundy, Shaun James. "Professional ethics in occupational health & safety practice." Thesis, Middlesex University, 2013. http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/13712/.
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This thesis provides a critical evaluation of a real world project involving the researcher as leader of a review and subsequent development of a new Code of Conduct for the world’s largest health and safety body, the Institution of Occupational Safety Health (IOSH, 2011). The health and safety profession in the UK has seen many changes over the last 10-years, in particular a stronger focus on degree education, continual professional development (CPD) and Chartered Practitioner status. In addition to these progressive changes the profession has also seen a rise in the negative media coverage regarding reported risk aversion in decision-making processes. In response to the negative media and at the request of the conservative party, then in opposition, Lord Young led a complete review of health and safety in Great Britain(Young, 2010). More recently, the Government requested a further independent review into health and safety legislation (Löfstedt, 2011). Since the publication of these reports there have been calls for more rigorous competence standards for consultants and a move towards more industry led self-regulation. This has seen IOSH placed in a strong influencing position, albeit with added scrutiny of its own regulation of members. The researcher led a critical review of the existing Code as part of an IOSH standing Committee, the Profession Committee (PC) that has the responsibility among other things for examining allegations of misconduct. The project was conducted as action research and was divided into 4 cycles or stages. Stage 1 involved the critical review and benchmarking of the existing Code against other Codes using an adaptation of the PARN criteria. Stage 2 involved the consultation process for the development of a new Code. This included the researcher’s role as leader of the project and an evaluation of misconduct cases reviewed by the PC. Stage 3 involved semi-structured interviews of practitioners to explore experiential accounts of ethical issues from practice to inform the guidance on the Code. Finally, Stage 4 involved the concluding consultation and consolidation of all the stages for presentation of the revised Code to IOSH Council for approval. The project reinforced the benefits of applying a systematic approach for the development of professional body documentation. It also revealed the value of applying a flexible iterative methodology in the real world environment to prevent the project from diverging from its real world objectives. The outcome of the project has been positively received by IOSH. A new Code was produced with guidance and a revised disciplinary procedure that is fit for purpose and adaptable to change through the use of robust development and broad consultation processes. It is anticipated that these changes will make a significant contribution to the wider profession and practice. An ethical decision making model was developed from the findings and includes a dissemination strategy for the profession.
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Yusoff, Saiful Bahan Mohd. "Automotive sketching - Techniques from Education and Professional Practice." Thesis, Birmingham City University, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.485979.
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Within most design domains, even though the term 'sketch' can be ambiguous and vague nevertheless sketching is acknowledged as playing an important part in the design process, carrying valuable information within the conceptual phase. This study confirms the importance and significance of sketching in the context of Automotive Design; the automotive design process is compared to design processes more generally. The subjects of the investigation were 9 automotive design professionals and 55 students in United Kingdom and Malaysia. The range of sketching techniques from professional designers is discussed and the study demonstrates that tacit knowledge and the understanding of automotive profile has a significant effect for designers' aptitude for sketching. The research identifies sketch types used in the conceptual stage of the design process: a distinction is made between thumbnail sketch, rough sketch, memo sketch, idea sketch and concept sketch. Investigation was conducted via sketching tasks with professional designers. Video observational analysis was carried out to complement protocol analysis to excavate the implicit sketching process by looking at a different aspects such as medium used, left/right hand, line repetition, sequence of activity, sketching angle, automotive component detailing, shadow line, duration of activity, size of sketch output and overall activity , with the. results documented and discussed. Professionals and students al~e regard sketching as the central signifying skill in automotive design, and beIi.eve that it is distinct from sketching more generally: this has led to a sketching convention characterized by few viewing angles and a 'strict sequence of sketch development, 3tarting with the wheels. At the end of the research, some recommendations relating :0 an understanding of 'theory of sketch\ approaches tl? s~etching in the early ~onceptual phase, and the understanding
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Bennett, Dawn Elizabeth. "Classical instrumental musicians : educating for sustainable professional practice." University of Western Australia. School of Music, 2005. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2006.0002.
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[Truncated abstract] This study extends understanding of the careers of classical instrumental musicians within the cultural industries, and ascertains the extent to which professional practice is reflected within current classical performance-based music education and training. Little is known about the careers of classically trained instrumental musicians in terms of the activities in which they engage and the skills and attributes used to sustain their professional practice, and there is also widespread lack of understanding about the music industry and the wider cultural industries. The extent to which education and training reflects the careers of music performance graduates has gained heightened exposure at the same time as higher education institutions have become increasingly accountable for the employability of graduates, and yet much of the available literature has only tangential relevance and there remains a shortage of literature relating to the complex area of creative practice. The research approach for the study bridges both the interpretive and normative paradigms. Using survey and interview methods, the study employs three distinct but interrelated data collections to investigate sustainable professional practice through analysis of musicians’ careers, performance-based education and training, and the cultural industries. The study identifies the longitudinal characteristics of musicians’ professional practice and presents in a conditional matrix the intrinsic and extrinsic influences that impact upon it. The study proposes a practitioner-focussed Arts Cultural Practice (ACP) framework that consists of four practitioner-focussed, non-hierarchical groups which were determined through analysis of the major foci characterising roles within the cultural industries. As such, the ACP framework represents a new paradigm of sustainable practice that circumvents existing barriers; submitting a non-hierarchical view of cultural practice that clearly indicates the potential for an exciting diversity of holistic practice often not considered by practitioners. The ACP curricular model posits the collaborative delivery of generic skills across artforms. This study substantiates the generic skills used by artists throughout the cultural industries, and confirms the rationale for education and training which considers the sustainability of music graduates’ careers as arts cultural practitioners. Thus, individual strengths and talents should be developed according to the intrinsic and extrinsic influences which drive the passion for arts practice.
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Smith, Helen Barbara, and helen smith4@health sa gov au. "Learning professional ethical practice: The speech pathology experience." Flinders University. Medicine-Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, 2007. http://catalogue.flinders.edu.au./local/adt/public/adt-SFU20091110.081021.
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ABSTRACT
An ethics curriculum is an integral part of most health profession courses. This thesis will explore using a qualitative approach to investigate the learning and application of professional ethical practice by Flinders University speech pathology students. This work will identify factors that may influence students readiness to learn about ethics. The knowledge, skills and attitudes that underpin professional ethical practice which speech pathology students were able to demonstrate at the conclusion of their entry level course will be illustrated. Also described will be the factors, identified by students and academics and field educators, which may influence student learning of this complex area of practice.
To explore this topic, the results of The Defining Issues Test (Rest, 1979b) of moral judgement development, independent and scaffolded case studies, as well as group and individual interviews with students, and individual interviews with academic and field educators have been used.
Results from this study suggest that a significant number of the undergraduate speech pathology students involved in this study found learning and applying ethical principles difficult, as their ability to reason morally remained conventional and rule bound. At the point of graduation, the students applied clinical and ethical reasoning skills, whilst emerging, were not yet well developed. The ability of students to demonstrate the integration of ethical theory and practice appeared limited. This lack of integration may be influenced by the fact that few field educators could report being exposed to formal ethical theories and ethical reasoning approaches during their own undergraduate education. Some of the more generic ethical practice skills reported by academics as being embedded throughout the speech pathology course, such as communication, team work and the seeking of professional support, were more clearly demonstrated by students.
Results of this study suggest that exiting students and newly graduated speech pathologists require ongoing support in the area of professional ethical practice. More explicit embedding of the theoretical underpinnings of the ethics knowledge base throughout the curriculum may be required. To be able to support the integration of professional ethical practice in students and new graduates, speech pathologists currently practising in the field who did not receive formal ethics education during their own degree or since, may require ongoing professional development in the formal knowledge base pertaining to professional ethical practice.
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Shardlow, Professor Steven M. "Professional education in social work; learning for practice." Thesis, University of Salford, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.491779.
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Social work practitioners acquire professional competence through participation in higher education, which in England (since 2003) normally lasts three years. A core element of tfiis knowledge acquisition and skill development occurs through the medium of practice learning within agencies that provide social work services to the public. The argument developed in this thesis can be expressed as a single proposition, that my published work, when taken together, constitutes a consistent theoretical approach, which is designed to enable students, practice teachers and university based staff to work together to better promote and enable students to learn how to become competent practitioners in social work through undertaking periods of practice learning.
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DiBiase, Deborah. "Formative Assessment Professional Development| Impact on Teacher Practice." Thesis, Johnson & Wales University, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3621976.
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With increasing demands on student achievement as set forth by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) (2001), teachers are the catalyst for improving their students' performance (Marzano, 2000). Existing studies on the use of formative assessment as a process by which teachers elicit information of their students' progress and use that information to inform their instruction have shown promising results in student achievement gains (Wiliam & Thompson, 2007). Extensive teacher professional development is needed, however, to instill a change in teacher practice needed to successfully employ formative assessment resulting in improved student achievement (Trumbull & Lash, 2013; Wiley & Heritage, 2010).
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between Linking Learning and Assessment professional development (including online training modules and communities of practice) as well as other forms of professional development on formative assessment and resulting self-perceived teacher practice, and what aspects of the professional development teachers found meaningful in improving their practice.
This study utilized a mixed-methods design. A questionnaire was administered to middle level educators (N=82) throughout the state followed by a focus group interview (N=5). Quantitative data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, correlations, Anova, and t-tests. Qualitative data were obtained through open-ended questions and the focus group. Content analysis was conducted to analyze the qualitative data obtained through the focus group interview and the open-ended questions on the questionnaire.
A major finding of this study is that most teachers are in the early stages of implementing the formative assessment process and have begun to realize the power of formative assessment. Those who have had ongoing and intensive training have begun to see meaningful changes in their practice. Professional development found to be most meaningful to teachers includes: collaboration, active learning opportunities and coherence. In addition, teachers expressed the need for professional development to be differentiated to meet their individual needs.
The results of this study may serve to inform teachers, administrators, districts and state departments of education when developing and implementing professional development in general as well as professional development on formative assessment.
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Jones, Michelle Suzette. "Professional collaborative learning : policy, practice and research perspectives." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2014. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/63108/.
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In this introduction to the publications selected for examination for the degree of PhD in Education, at the University of Warwick, I will begin by outlining some the contextual influences on my published work. During my career, spanning over 30 years, I have had the privilege to be a head-teacher, local authority adviser, government policy adviser and a researcher. The publications that follow therefore focus on professional collaborative learning from these different vantage points, as these have inevitably influenced my writing.
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Vail, Teresa M. "Teachers' professional development experiences: Implications for teaching practice." Scholarly Commons, 2011. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/28.
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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.
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Wines, Debra Rae. "Professional Learning Communities: The Impact on Teacher Practice." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/88810.
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The purpose of this research was to explore professional learning communities (PLCs) and their impact on teacher practice. The focus of this single case study was on reviewing the process of the implementation of a PLC (DuFour, DuFour, Eaker, and Many, 2010) within MidAtlantic Elementary School, a Title I school. This school implemented the PLC (DuFour et al., 2010) process following the guiding principles set forth by Richard and Rebecca DuFour and the MidAtlantic School District. The guiding principles include a shared vision and mission, collective inquiry, collaborative teams, action research and experimentation, continuous improvement, and being results oriented. By following these guiding principles, the goal was to show how this process improved teacher practice enough to help students be successful in the first year of opening the school and each consecutive year since the school opened. Results of this research showed the PLC (DuFour et al., 2010) process leads to improvements in teacher practice that positively affect student learning.Doctor of Education
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Taylor, Howard David. "Examining the Professional Practice of Brass Band Conducting." Thesis, Griffith University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/366344.
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After 10 National Championship wins as Musical Director of Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band, the author is often asked several questions: What does a conductor need to know to be successful on the contest stage? What needs to be done to remain at the top of the game for such a long period? What does the author do differently to others? The answers to these questions lie in understanding the various roles of the brass band conductor, and how these roles are realized in the author’s professional practice.
There has been very little research done on maintaining the competitive edge over time despite other changeable factors and players. An understanding of the ongoing responsibilities of a musical director may help minimize the impact of socio-cultural changes within the band community following successive wins at a national level or a change of director.
This study investigates the role of the musical director by reflecting on the responsibilities and practices of successful directors and analyzing the personal characteristics and interpersonal relationships with band members through autoethnography and interviews with other directors. Attention has also been paid to the administrative support and team dynamics within the Brisbane Excelsior community.
For Brisbane Excelsior, the study found that the combination of the musical director’s ongoing self-reflection, consistent methods over 14 years (2002–2016), and intrinsic personal characteristics created an environment where band members strove to succeed, and were challenged to maintain a very high standard of playing.Thesis (Masters)
Master of Music Research (MMusRes)
Queensland Conservatorium
Arts, Education and Law
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Holman, Angela Rowe. "Family counselors' experiences with multiculturalism in professional practice." W&M ScholarWorks, 2006. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1550154091.
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Pederson, Cec. "Implementing a strategy in a small professional practice." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1992.
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This reports an action research investigation of strategy implementation in a small Australian architectural practice. The research problem addressed is:
what processes should the senior partners in a small Australian architectural practice use to implement a strategy? To solve this research problem, three propositions were developed and tested in a
core action research project: The strategy implementation process involves several sequential steps.
• Implementation processes developed for big business also apply to small
professional practices.
The 'hands-on' involvement of working directors in the 'day-to-day' management of professional practices inhibits rather than helps the implementation of strategies.
Chapter 1 introduces the report. Chapter 2 surveys literature about strategy implementation and justifies these three propositions. Then chapter 3 outlines the core action research project which collected data for the research. The researcher collaborated with the two partners in an architectural practice to help the workgroup implement the already chosen strategic thrust of a focus differentiation generic strategy. The project consisted of first formulating the strategy to support the strategic thrust and then implementing the strategy. Chapter 4 categorises the experience of chapter 3's action research project into eight implementation
processes for proposition 1, and into categories for propositions 2 and 3. Finally, chapter 5 discusses the three propositions and then concludes the report.
The research finds that the first proposition listed above is correct, although the sequence is complex than the literature review suggests; the second proposition is
partly correct because not every process may have to be done in a small business, and the resources and skills of the owner managers of a small business influence
the choice of strategies and how those strategies are implemented; and the third proposition is also correct because of the relationships between the roles of professional, manager and owner rather than the two roles of manager and owner identified in previous literature. The research also concludes that the action research methodology is relevant to management research but should be used in forms different from action research in education.
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Razo, Demesia. "An Exploration of Professional Training and Professional Practice: Title IX Administrators and Meaning Making." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2019. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1609115/.
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Federal law requires institutions to designate campus-based administrators to oversee Title IX processes and investigations, but little is known about how these have been professionally prepared for their roles. The purpose of this study was to understand the professional preparation, educational experiences, and professional training of Title IX administrators and to understand their independence in decision-making in those roles. This study utilized qualitative content analysis and a social constructionist approach to analyze data generated from interviews and document analysis. Sixteen current and former Title IX administrators (investigators, deputy coordinators, coordinators) provided their perspectives on their professional training and development. Using frameworks of work/professional socialization and professions theory, findings illustrated complex systems for knowledge acquisition, professional preparation, and professional socialization based on factors including resources, institutional context, and role prioritization. Participants' formal education, formative experiences, position-specific training, and professional organizations training all served as preparation for their roles. Discussion focused on implications for graduate programs, training and trainers, institutions and supervisors, the field of higher education, and current Title IX practitioners regarding professional preparation for these roles.
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Michael, Maureen K. "Precarious practices : artists, work and knowing-in-practice." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/21879.
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This study presents a new perspective on work practice in conceptual art. Using ethnographic evidence from five visual artists, the study used a combined visual arts and practice orientated perspective to explore the materiality of their everyday work and the sociomaterial practices shaping it. Close scrutiny is given to the forms of expertise embedded in this through concepts of knowing-in-practice and epistemic objects. Emerging from the findings is clearer understanding of how an arts-based methodology might enhance knowledge about artists’ knowing-in-practice. Popular representations of contemporary artists often ignore the realities of precarious work. This is reflected in the professional education of artists with its concentration on studio-based activities and emphasis on the production and products of artmaking. This study reconfigures and reconceptualises the work of artists as assemblages of sociomaterial practices that include, but are not limited to artmaking – so providing a different representation of the work of artists as a continuous collaboration of mundane materials. The study identified seven sociomaterial practices, defined as movement-driven; studio-making; looking; pedagogic; self-promotion; peer support; and pause. As these practices are subject to ever-changing materialities, they are constantly reassembled. Analysis revealed hidden interiors of underemployment and income generation to be significant factors embedded in the mundane materialities of everyday work, revealing resilience and adaptability as key forms of expertise necessary for the assembling of practices. Further, the arts-based methodology of ‘integrated imagework’ created ways of visually analysing the materially-mediated, socially situated nature of knowing in practice, and demonstrated how relational concepts relating to knowing-in-practice might be better analysed. Findings indicate how the professional education of artists – particularly the way the workplace of the studio is understood – could be re-envisioned to support the fluidity of contemporary artistic practices. The studio itself is a form of knowledge – ever changing – forming and being formed by the practices of artists. Adopting this view of studio-based education would be a radical departure from current studio-based pedagogies in contemporary art education. Further, resilience – the capacity to sustain practices that are emergent and constantly unfolding – becomes a form of expertise central to the professional education of artists.
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Dordic, Tatjana. "Effective Inter-Professional Practice: Exploring Perceptions Across Stakeholders and Contexts." Thesis, Griffith University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/368151.
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The aim of the current research was to examine the gap between the theoretical versus applied effectiveness of inter-professional practice (IPP). Existing research suggests that inter-professional practice models of care increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and co-ordination of patient care, and improve teamwork, collaboration, and patient outcomes. However, in practice IPP met these objectives with mixed success (D’Amour et al., 2005; Zwarenstein et al., 2009; Carey et al., 2010). A definitional limitation was also noted; persistent problems with terminology (specifically, many inter-related, inconsistently used definitions) has created challenges for conducting and consolidating research in this area (Heatley & Kruske, 2011).In order to further understand the theory to practice gap, the current research involved three studies which explored health professionals’, management’s and patients’ perceptions of the definition and enactment of inter-professional practice.
A grounded theory methodology was used to examine these stakeholders' perceptions of inter-professional practice as it allowed for a process-centred approach to understanding the phenomena. As the literature indicated that existing theories offered overly simplistic, inputs to outputs based approaches to exploring inter-professional practice, it was clear that there existed a need to explore the processes involved in enacting effective inter-professional practice (D’Amour et al., 2005; Reeves, 2010). Therefore, the first study in the current research explored how health professionals and management (N: 21) working in a paediatrics unit define and perceive effective inter-professional practice. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant and the data was subsequently coded using grounded theory methodology.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy in Organisational Psychology (PhD OrgPsych)
School of Applied Psychology
Griffith Health
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Wallman, Andy. "Pharmacy Internship : Students’ Learning in a Professional Practice Setting." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för farmaci, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-112771.
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The aim of this thesis was to explore Swedish pharmacist students’ learning during pharmacy internship. Internships are meant to introduce students to professional practice. Education programs have to reflect changes in the professional role, and take into account that learning in a professional practice setting differs from organized formal education. This thesis includes both quantitative and qualitative research approaches and applies workplace learning theories. A scheme for measuring pharmacy students’ reflective ability was developed and shown to be feasible and reliable. Factors important for reflection were found to be primarily social and contextual, especially trained tutor and small pharmacy size. Notably, learning style or critical thinking did not correlate to students’ reflective ability. Tutors and students perceived that students used a wide variety of activities supporting learning of a broad repertoire of knowledge and skills, preparing them for coming professional working life. Tutors are most important to support learning. However, the current curriculum and formal activities do not address all these outcomes and learning activities used, e.g. workplace learning. The first overall conclusion is that internship plays an essential part in the pharmacist education program. The integration of formal and informal learning activities during internship, including raising awareness of incidental learning, is important to support students in learning the professional practice of pharmacy. This integration could possibly be strengthened by introducing further tutor training, different assignments, and by using portfolios. The second conclusion is that the community of practice is essential for students’ learning during internship, especially the student-tutor interaction. Hence, the entire social context has to be considered and it is important to ensure a good learning environment at pharmacies during internship. In summary, this thesis contributes to the understanding of students’ learning during pharmacy internship and introduces educational research on the Swedish undergraduate pharmacy education programs.
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Rose, Charles Phillip. "Stories of teacher practice, exploring the professional knowledge landscape." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/nq21626.pdf.
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Black, Margaret Elizabeth. "Student nurses' clinical decision-making, key to professional practice." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp02/NQ27764.pdf.
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Foulds, Barbara J. "Communities of practice : clinical teaching in professional nursing education." Thesis, McGill University, 2005. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=85549.
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The need to prepare and support clinical teaching faculty is identified as a priority by nurse educators. However, there is no framework for understanding the practice of clinical teaching (Benner, Tanner & Chelsa, 1996; Davis, Dearman, Schwab & Kitchens, 1992; Scanlan, 2001; Siler & Kleiner, 2001; Vollman, 1989). There is little nursing research directed to understanding the practice of clinical teaching. It is widely assumed that nurses who are experts in practice are able to make an easy transition to the role of clinical teacher (Scanlan, 2001; Silar & Kleiner, 2001).The clinical practicum is the time when students are in the clinical setting as novice nurses under the supervision of both experienced nurses and clinical teachers. The clinical setting may be hospital or community-based and students may be working directly with patients and their families or may be a member of a community-based project team. The purpose of this study was, by asking clinical teachers to describe their practice, to determine whether clinical teaching was a boundary practice bridging nursing and teaching's communities of practice (CoP). The goal of the boundary practice is to sustain a connection between the two communities of practice by dealing with conflicts, seeking common ground and resolving problems. The following research questions were asked: (1) To what extent do clinical teachers describe the characteristics of a boundary practice? (2) What are the participative connections that clinical teachers use in their professional activities? and (3) What boundary objects are transferred from one community of practice to another?
Using a qualitative research design, nine clinical teachers from diverse practice settings and with a range of years in the profession participated in a focus group interview. The focus group interview was followed by individual interviews with four clinical teachers. The conceptual framework that guided this study combined Wenger's (1998, 2002) community of practice model, and Shulman's (1987) teacher knowledge model. Additional theoretical constructs included reflective practitioner, cognitive apprenticeship and situated cognition (Brown, Collins & Duguid, 1989; Lave & Wenger, 1991; Schon, 1987).
The results suggest that clinical teaching is a boundary practice and that clinical teachers create participative connections between nursing and teaching practices through the building of relationships with fellow nurses, students and classroom teachers using strategies that involve reconciling different practice perspectives with the objective of creating supportive clinical learning environments. Clinical teachers described negotiation strategies to move students from the periphery of nursing into the community of nursing practice and using boundary objects to negotiate meaning from practice.
The results suggest that the practice of clinical teaching includes understanding how to balance relationships and reconcile competing demands. The findings also suggest that connection to the classroom teacher and understanding of the course of study are important to the practice of clinical teaching. Two key outcomes of this study are the development of a model of clinical teaching and a working vocabulary to describe the practice of clinical teaching.
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Richardson, Clare Louise. "Structured professional judgement of risk in forensic psychiatric practice." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 2009. http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/12067/.
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The central issue addressed in this thesis was the validation of a novel risk assessment system designed to meet the security requirements of a high secure forensic hospital. To this end, three research strands investigating the clinical, predictive and preventative utility of the system were pursued. This thesis reports the process of the development, adaptation and implementation of a system based on the HCR-20, called the Structured Clinical Judgement: Risk (SCJ: Risk). The first research strand involved investigation of the processes necessary implement a system of structured professional judgement. The conceptual and operational utility of the system were investigated, and successful implementation of the system within clinical practice was demonstrated by compliance of use by clinical teams. A survey was conducted, investigating the perceptions of clinicians in relation to the clinical utility and usability of the SCJ: Risk. Overall acceptance of the pilot and implementation phase of the system was demonstrated, and the system was perceived to assist clinical teams to structure and document risk-related decisions. The second research strand studied the validity of the SCJ: Risk in predicting intra-institutional behaviour. A prospective investigation of the application of the SCJ: Risk to a forensic population detained in conditions of high security was conducted and this demonstrated variation in the predictive utility of the system. The predictive accuracy of subscale items of the SCJ: Risk, and the individual risk factors comprising the subscales of the system were robust for behaviours relevant to violence and suicide/self-harm. However, prediction of behaviours relevant to escape/abscond, vulnerability to risk from others and subversion of security were not demonstrated. The third research strand involved exploration of the preventative utility of the system, specifically if the identification of a patient as high-risk would minimise the occurrence, or prolong the time to an incident of intra-institutional behaviour. Results illustrated the efficacy of the SCJ: Risk system in the identification of high risk individuals for behaviours relevant to any intra-institutional infraction, violence and self-harm. Patients identified as high-risk displayed a higher prevalence and earlier incidence of relevant intra-institutional behaviour. It is concluded that the system of Structured Clinical Judgement: Risk (as an adaptation of the HCR-20) contributes positively to the overall goals of clarity of risk communication, identification and management of high risk patients within forensic psychiatric practice. However, the extended risk assessment of the SCJ: Risk does not make a significant additional contribution to the parental system on which it is based.
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Schafheutle, Ellen. "Post-operative pain management : patient behaviour and professional practice." Thesis, University of Manchester, 1999. http://www.manchester.ac.uk/escholar/uk-ac-man-scw:84184.
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Norris, Margaret Kathleen. "Contextual factors that enable or disable nurses' professional practice." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.341515.
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This study explored the complex world of nursing at a time of humungous change in the delivery of health care services. The initial focus of the research was registered nurses' use of knowledge in professional practice; however this was largely displaced by contextual issues, which emerged from the data. Eraut's (1992,1994) concepts of professional knowledge informed the data generation and the analysis. A broadly qualitative approach drawing on grounded theory and constructivism provided the methodological framework and the research methods involved observation and interview. The sample comprised registered nurses undertaking a four-year part-time degree in nursing studies. Twenty-seven were observed in a variety of clinical settings: sixteen of this group were subsequently interviewed. Six of their managers were then interviewed. Data analysis followed a pattern of literal, interpretive and reflective coding and revealed a number of key issues for registered nurses working in the United Kingdom at the time of the research. The nurses fell into three categories, the survivors, the battle weary and the battle hardened; the largest group being the battle weary. The key causes of the weariness originated from organizational constraints such as low staffing levels, poor teamwork and an inability to give appropriate care to their patients. The effects of battle weariness included low morale, which affected their motivation, tearfulness and a general fatigue. The 'survivors' (a minority) were characterized by a sense of purpose and a fulfillment from their work. The contexts in which the battle weary worked were likened to a war zone with a clearly defined battlefield. Significant changes to the traditional role of the ward sister/charge nurse have left the majority of nurses in this study feeling unsupported and with a lack of clinical leadership. The nurses, often only working at 'D' or 'E' grade, frequently found themselves trying to cope with conflicts in practice with nursing colleagues, with patients and with doctors.Professional knowledge used in practice included communication and interpersonal skills, teamwork, delivering 'hands on' care to patients and coping with the ever changing demands on the nursing time. A number of recommendations are made and include an 'enabling curriculum' for educating nurses at initial and post registration level, a return of the clinical leadership role for ward sisters and charge nurses and a renewal of the focus of nursing practice.
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Sunter, Shirley Lindsey. "The impact of continuing education on professional nursing practice." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.263023.
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DeCann, Richard W. "Patient care and good professional practice in diagnostic radiography." Thesis, Keele University, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.386609.
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McGovern, Deirdre B. "The value of professional audit in community pharmacy practice." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.388225.
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Darby, Barbara Ann Barnaby. "Professional Socialization and Mentoring Relationships in Beginning Nursing Practice." UNF Digital Commons, 1995. http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/332.
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The purpose of this study was twofold--to gain understanding of early professional socialization in beginning nursing practice from the beginning practitioner's perspective and to explore the influences of mentoring on the professional socialization of beginning nurses. Participants were thirty-one novice practitioners from an associate in science degree nursing program in the Southeast section of the United States.
The unique perspectives of beginning nurses were gained through the use of focus groups. Data analysis consisted of content analysis, data display and reduction, identification of themes, and conclusion drawing.
Findings supported the notion that professional socialization occurs in phases. Beginners anticipate initial work environments that facilitate ongoing socialization. Mentoring/preceptorship relationships are anticipated and desired as part of the socialization process.
Early in beginning practice novices demonstrated an external locus of control and focused on their preparation for the role and support systems. Late in beginning practice novices demonstrated an internal locus of control and were concerned about impending independent practice and the continuing need to learn.
Findings may assist nursing educators and nursing practitioners to facilitate beginners' entry and role transition. Future research should address the mentors' perspective, locus of control, and differences based on the professional education program completed by the beginner.
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Weinberger, Jayne Heim. "Converging on Rome : pathways to professional practice in opticianry." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2011. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10019968/.
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DeLany, Judith C. "Relationships among collegial coaching, reflective practice, and professional growth /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 1996. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p9809681.
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Williamson, Vicki Kay. "Innovation and change in professional practice: a case study." Thesis, Curtin University, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1025.
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This study reports research about innovation and change in the professional practice of the staff at the Library and Information Service (LIS) staff at Curtin University of Technology, Perth, in Western Australia. The historical context of the study is Australian higher education and university libraries in the early 1990s. It reports, examines and analyzes key events and activities of the LIS staff strategic planning process both as an educational innovation and a driver of change in professional practice. The investigation of educational innovation and change is the object of the study, specifically the application of strategic planning.Literature from the 30-year history of writing and research about educational innovation and change is reviewed in terms of its relevance to the study. In addition, selected literature about organizational theory and strategic planning in libraries is presented. From this literature emerged the particular innovation and change framework, which guide the research.A justification for the selection of the particular research approach is explained and data collection, organization and analysis are described. The study uses official LIS corporate records as its primary source of data, supplemented by published materials to assist in the explanation of the particular circumstances of the LIS case.The results of the data analysis are presented in terms of the key events and activities of the LIS case. From this analysis conclusions are drawn in relation to the research questions which underpin the study and in terms of the component parts of the innovation and change framework. In particular, conclusions relate to the key organizational factors shaping the response to innovation; the characteristics of the context of change; key organizational processes helping to ensure successful adoption; the articulation of a shared vision and processes to ensure a shared vision. In relation to the innovation and change framework the change process is viewed as adoption dominated; as a move towards a learning organization; through the characteristics of the context of change and through other factors influencing change.Flowing from the research findings, recommendations are made for professional practice and further research.As a case study that reports, examines and analyses the complex dimensions of organizational change, the study is rich in detail and provides a real-life example of organizational and educational change.
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Williamson, Vicki Kay. "Innovation and change in professional practice: a case study." Curtin University of Technology, Faculty of Education, 1999. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=9423.
Full textAbstract:
This study reports research about innovation and change in the professional practice of the staff at the Library and Information Service (LIS) staff at Curtin University of Technology, Perth, in Western Australia. The historical context of the study is Australian higher education and university libraries in the early 1990s. It reports, examines and analyzes key events and activities of the LIS staff strategic planning process both as an educational innovation and a driver of change in professional practice. The investigation of educational innovation and change is the object of the study, specifically the application of strategic planning.Literature from the 30-year history of writing and research about educational innovation and change is reviewed in terms of its relevance to the study. In addition, selected literature about organizational theory and strategic planning in libraries is presented. From this literature emerged the particular innovation and change framework, which guide the research.A justification for the selection of the particular research approach is explained and data collection, organization and analysis are described. The study uses official LIS corporate records as its primary source of data, supplemented by published materials to assist in the explanation of the particular circumstances of the LIS case.The results of the data analysis are presented in terms of the key events and activities of the LIS case. From this analysis conclusions are drawn in relation to the research questions which underpin the study and in terms of the component parts of the innovation and change framework. In particular, conclusions relate to the key organizational factors shaping the response to innovation; the characteristics of the context of change; key organizational processes helping to ensure successful adoption; the articulation of a shared vision and ++processes to ensure a shared vision. In relation to the innovation and change framework the change process is viewed as adoption dominated; as a move towards a learning organization; through the characteristics of the context of change and through other factors influencing change.Flowing from the research findings, recommendations are made for professional practice and further research.As a case study that reports, examines and analyses the complex dimensions of organizational change, the study is rich in detail and provides a real-life example of organizational and educational change.
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Vazquez, María Inés, Fernando Borgia, and Andrea Tejera. "Professional practices in complex scenaries." Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, 2018. http://repositorio.pucp.edu.pe/index/handle/123456789/123974.
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This study focuses on the thoughts provided by students in their last year of a Bachelor degree at a university institution of Uruguay. The research is part of the professional skills that these young people put into action within the framework of the workshops of applied research offered during the last year of their career, in which they perform a diagnostic approach and a proposal for improving a practice center.The study lasted a total of eight months, during which various techniques were applied (online survey, focus groups, interviews and document analysis), aimed at students and key informants whose contributions allowed comparing points of view and supplementing information. It was sought at all times to articulate specific records of each experience with other global contributions from the multicase methodology in order to analyze the processes of change management. The document closes resuming the study objectives that seek to generate critical reflection on the professional practices put into action presenting the main findings achieved, in dialogue with theoretical contributions that guided the process of analysis.Este estudio hace foco en las reflexiones aportadas por estudiantes que cursan su último año de Licenciatura en una institución universitaria de Uruguay. La investigación se enmarca en las competencias profesionales que estos jóvenes ponen en acción en los talleres de investigación aplicada que se ofrecen durante el último año de la carrera, en los que realizan una aproximación diagnóstica y una propuesta de mejora en un centro de práctica.El estudio tuvo una duración total de ocho meses, durante los cuales fueron aplicadas diversas técnicas (encuesta en línea, grupos de discusión, entrevistas y análisis documental), dirigidas a estudiantes y también a informantes clave, cuyos aportes permitieron comparar puntos de vista y complementar información. En todo momento, se procuró articular registros específicos de cada experiencia con otros aportes globales desde la metodología multicasos, con el propósito de analizar los procesos de gestión del cambio. El documento cierra retomando los objetivos del estudio que procuran generar reflexión crítica sobre las prácticas profesionales puestas en acción, presentando los principales hallazgos alcanzados, en diálogo con aportes teóricos que orientaron el proceso de análisis.
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Shanahan, Margaret M. "Mature students in occupational therapy education and practice." Thesis, Oxford Brookes University, 2002. http://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/items/5fc6c175-6cad-0259-6afc-9e5722098b1c/1.
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This research study investigated age as a predictor of success in the academic outcome and early professional performance of recent occupational therapy graduates. The study was divided into two parts. The analysis of age and academic performance in occupational therapy education initially provided a picture of mature student success when compared with the performance of younger students, but this finding was negated when the confounding variable of entry qualification was added to the analysis. The mature student data were strongly influenced by the superior academic performance of the students who had a previous degree on entry to occupational therapy education. When these degree-level entrants were removed from the age analysis, the academic performance of the remaining mature students did not differ significantly from that of the younger students. This result indicates that entry qualifications, in particular a previous degree, have a positive predictive affect on academic performance in occupational therapy education. The second part of the study investigated the impact of age on the early professional performance of recent occupational therapy graduates using a competency questionnaire adapted from the curriculum framework document for occupational therapy in the UK (COT, 1998). The hypotheses that age is a value-added factor in the early professional performance and level of threshold competence after graduation was partially upheld in the graduate self-ratings of competence but not in the employer ratings of new graduates in practice. No age differences were observed in the employer ratings of graduate abilities but academic performance at university was related to perceived levels of. competence. When graduates rated their self-perceived levels of competence, it was the mature graduates who consistently rated themselves as being more competent than their younger peers. The type of occupational therapy programme undertaken did not relate to either the employer or graduate ratings of competence. All respondents were provided with an opportunity to comment on the issue of professional competence. Mature students expressed high expectations of their professional competence yet were no different to all other new graduates in reporting stress when making the transition between being a student and qualified practitioner. A discrepancy in expectations of threshold competence was observed between the employer and the graduate comments.
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Webster, Susan. "Professional pathways for teacher educators in further education practice : a framework to support professional learning." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/13073.
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This project evaluates a proposed framework designed to support professional learning for teacher educators, focusing on Post Compulsory Education & Training, and particularly practices in Further Education. The intention of the framework is to enhance practice and promote professional recognition for people who support others in becoming or developing as teachers: teacher educators. The project proposal is that this can be achieved through engagement with processes of professional learning (Timperley, 2011) in the form of professional pathways, defined here as professional and individual learning journeys supported by principles and research-based recommendations within a recognised framework of underpinning factors. The theoretical framework for the project is interpretative, based on transformative learning (Cranton, 1994, 2002; ; Mezirow, 1997) with a constructivist epistemology and reflexive ontology (Door, 2014). It builds on previous research (Exley & Ovenden-Hope, 2013) using new data to develop initial ideas through a methodology of creative praxis, representing practices and approaches where reflexive, innovative thinking and impact on the world are equally important. The intention is to arrive at a robust, flexible and well-considered framework designed to support the professional formation and development of prospective, new or experienced teacher educators practicing in the Further Education sector.
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Richmond, Pam, and n/a. "The more things change : enhancing the capacity of teachers to change their classroom practice." University of Canberra. Education, 1997. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20061107.130304.
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The major issue of this thesis is that for effective change in teachers'
classroom practice to occur, multiple actions are required at different
levels of participation, from federal and state education jurisdictions
through to school communities and individual classroom teachers. The
thesis supposition is that practical action factors in schools and the
community can be found which meet the needs of the change.
The history of attempts to achieve educational change through changed
classroom practice is littered with a range of different approaches, usually
one-off events. They have sometimes succeeded. Stakeholders, including
parents, social pressure groups and particularly governments have
increasing expectations of what it is that teachers can achieve in terms of
their students' learning outcomes. The degree to which actual teaching
practices are changed at the classroom level will depend on the degree to
which teachers are able to manage and implement change. However,
studies in the area of curriculum change reveal that the gap between
policy and practice remains an ongoing concern.
This thesis draws upon theory and applied research findings from the
traditions of educational change, health education, models of change,
evaluation and social science research methods. The purpose of this
thesis is to identify and make comparisons in the practical action factors
which enhance the capacity of teachers to change their classroom practice.
These are investigated through a multiple case study consideration of the
school context, the professional development inputs, and the classroom
programs. The patterns of effective practical action in the research study
would support the thesis supposition.
A multiple case study-theory building approach was used to analyse the
data from twelve school sites selected from the School Development in
Health Education (SDHE) Project. Data analysis employed the technique
of matrix displays, with several rounds of analysis in order to generate
some significant factors related to teacher change. The results were
considered for endorsement by an expert panel from the field in order to
enhance confidence in the validity and the reliability of the research
study.
Results from first round of analysis in the multiple case study showed
school team commitment, teachers' attitude to professional development
and community cooperation to be important factors in educational
change. The second round of analysis highlighted the importance of
placing the teacher at the centre of change when planning professional
development. Finally, the third round presents a summary of the factors
emerging from the analyses in five major focus areas: professional
development; principal leadership; school organisation and culture;
school team; and system support. The importance of the relationships
among these factors was recognised in their impact on teachers' abilities to
make educational changes in their classrooms.
The thesis has found that the professional decision-making and practice
of teachers is value added by the actions of other players - professional
development providers, school principals and education systems.
Teachers' capacity to change is enhanced by appropriate school-based
professional development, flexible school organisation, and the
opportunity to work collaboratively in school teams.
From the patterns emerging from the strong and weak clusters of cases
the thesis is able to make conclusions about teachers' professional practice,
professional development approaches, principal leadership, school
organisation, education systems and the nature of change. This thesis
shows that educational change requires multiple actions at different
levels of participation. Finally, the thesis offers recommendations to the
different players in the field: education systems, principals and
professional development providers.
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Hosmanek, Andrew John. "Punishment in practice." Diss., University of Iowa, 2015. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/1853.
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Ethical breaches committed by professionals are an important problem, both within the professions and for society as a whole. In this study, I examined breaches committed in one of the oldest and most-regulated professions, law, across three states. Using a sample of 377 actual disciplinary cases, I quantitatively evaluated the breaches and the punishments assessed to determine if justice is being applied proportionally and consistently. This study showed several potential disconnects between how decision-makers say they will punish, and how they actually punish. Punishment theory states that punishments should be applied in accordance with the blameworthiness of the offense and offender. I identified the factors in these cases that should correspond to blameworthiness, and found that some of the theorized factors (such as target and intentionality) did not matter in determining punishment. The study showed that neither prior good acts nor prior discipline mattered for punishment. It also showed that an offender’s noncooperation with his or her own investigation may be one of the most important factors in determining punishment, which raises questions of justice. Additionally, my study shows that impaired professionals who commit ethical breaches may be treated differently than unimpaired professionals. While mental impairment or any kind of substance abuse ought to be mitigating factors, only professionals with alcohol problems were treated more leniently. Textual analysis revealed that decision-makers used a significantly more passive tone when dealing with alcohol-impaired offenders.
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Steyn, G. M. "Interpreting the leadership practice of a South African school using the leaderful practice model." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 11, Issue 1: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/631.
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Published ArticleLiterature reveals the crucial influence of school leadership on the creation and maintenance of successful schools. In searching for new foundations to understand leadership, Raelin's leaderful practice model serves as an authentic model to describe a successful South African leadership practice. A qualitative study was used to interpret school leadership in primary schools through the lens of the leaderful practice model. The following observations emerged from the study: "It is passion that makes people succeed in life"; "It isn't my school, it's our school"; and "Development has to be an integral part of education". By sharing the leadership experiences of the principal, this study could serve as a valuable resource and promote the creation of other leaderful practices in South African schools.
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Pawluch, Dorothy 1953. "Whither pediatrics : a study in professional transformations." Thesis, McGill University, 1988. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=75973.
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This thesis analyses transformations in pediatrics during its history as an organized medical specialty. Pediatricians emerged in a period of high infant and child mortality and poor public health to fight disease and treat difficult feeding problems. After mortality rates began to decline they turned to prevention, supervising the normal growth and development of healthy children. However, as prevention absorbed an ever larger proportion of their time, they became bored and dissatisfied. During the 1970s, competing groups of child health care providers such as pediatric nurse practitioners and family practitioners exacerbated pediatricians' difficulties. Worried about their possible disappearance as primary care specialists, pediatricians sought a new mission in ministering to children's non-physical problems. The "new pediatrics" focuses on the behavioral and psychosocial problems of children and adolescents. This study contributes to understanding how professions respond to changes and threats in their environment.
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Taylor, Philip Robert. "The complexity of teacher professional growth - experiences of professional learning and development, including practice-based inquiry." Thesis, Birmingham City University, 2018. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.758579.
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In this thesis, teacher professional growth is conceived as complex, relational, adaptive and recursive, comprising processes of learning and development. Teacher learning is considered an ongoing, everyday process of building on experience through interpretation, integration and application. Teacher development is viewed as a continuous, longer-term process of journeying, more outward-facing to encompass professional knowledge, practice and status. Professional growth unfolds within one or more organisational contexts that mediate the external conditions of an educational system currently dominated by performativity. Teacher practice-based inquiry is explored as a vehicle for professional growth. Suggested critical aspects of teacher professional growth are intended purpose, enacted opportunity and lived response, considered intertwined or complex and employed as an interpretive framework. Six secondary teachers have participated in this study, through recorded conversational accounts of professional growth and twenty written accounts of their practice-based inquiries. Unravelling purposes, opportunities and responses in this material suggests categories of description and variation that together form a possibility space, for both interpreting past experience and projecting future potential. Teacher practice-based inquiry offers an expanded space of possibilities for professional growth. This study utilises the theoretical perspectives of complexity thinking and participatory inquiry, complemented by agential realism, enactivism and relational being. Together, these trans-disciplinary approaches challenge representationalist ontologies and epistemologies, embracing axiology, and positioning researcher and participants as part of the phenomena to be studied. A recurring theme is complicity, mutually adaptive change, between teacher and learner, leader and teacher, teacher and context, and researcher and research. The contribution made by this thesis is a re-working of conceptualisations of teacher professional growth, combining identity, experience, learning and development, in a continual and complicit process of being and becoming, sustained through a sense of belonging. The resulting possibility spaces offer exemplary knowledge and tools for re-thinking teacher professional growth as a complex adaptive process.
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Marice, Prior. "Professional Development of Physiotherapists Working in Long-term Care." Thèse, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/23414.
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The purpose of this study is to learn about the professional development practices of physiotherapists working in long-term care homes in Ontario. A survey was created based on relevant literature and piloted for this study. The survey included both quantitative and open-ended questions. 44 Physiotherapist responded, which represents approximately 10% of physiotherapists working in long-term care in Ontario. The results indicate that physiotherapists are isolated from their physiotherapist peers and lack access to communities of practice, professional socialisation, professional culture and social regulation. Although physiotherapists’ interactions with interprofessional teams added breadth to their knowledge, these interactions did not enhance their profession-specific skills. Many physiotherapists are seeking professional community and social supports in healthcare settings outside of the long-term care context. The implications of this study are that physiotherapists, their professional associations, and their college must understand the importance of professional socialization in learning, and ensure that physiotherapists working in long-term care have access to and seek such social support. Physiotherapy service providers in long-term care should provide mentoring, support and opportunities for social learning for their clinicians. Finally, long-term care homes and the Ministry of Health and Long-term care need to ensure that policies provide a better definition of the role of physiotherapists in long-term care.