scholarly journals Faculty development in the context of a research-intensive university

Author(s):  
Johan Geertsema

AbstractContexts, knowledge, and theory matter for faculty development (also known as staff, academic, or educational development) because of the complexity of higher education and therefore of faculty professional development. This paper attempts to unpack this complexity by examining higher education contexts more closely, in particular: academic identity in relation to research and the discipline, change management in higher education, and the importance to academic development of valuing teaching in a coherent, integrated, and holistic way. The paper is framed by two ‘big ideas’, that of pedagogical content knowledge (Shulman, 1986, 1987), and that of learning as acquisition and participation (Sfard, 1998). I end by providing examples of practice underpinned by these ideas and considering implications for academic development.

Author(s):  
Alev Elçi

This chapter identifies and assesses the role of faculty professional development centers in the future higher education institutions. Faculty professional development centers facilitate transition to digital teaching and learning; this can be affected only through implementing strategies and commensurate infrastructure. They thus provide desired digital knowledge, skill sets, and related competencies for the “next generation of learners.” Implementations in Turkey are surveyed and compared to the international scene. Conclusions are drawn on essential features that may be further enhanced for bettering faculty development facilities primarily in the context of universities in Turkey, and extensions to the international scene.


Author(s):  
Elina Mäkelä ◽  
Petra Auvinen ◽  
Tero Juuti

AbstractThe paper concerns the Finnish product development teacherś perceptions on their pedagogical content knowledge in higher education settings. The aim is to describe and analyse what kind of pedagogical content knowledge the teachers have and, therefore, to provide a better understanding of the type of knowledge unique to product development teaching. The model of pedagogical content knowledge used here includes the components of product development content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge. Based on seven teacher interviews, the main content knowledge concerns the process of product development, its different phases and methods as well as the usage of different software programs. The teachers use diverse teaching methods and their attitude towards educational technology is mostly positive. Course learning outcomes and working life are acknowledged when planning teaching, but only a few teachers take curriculum into account and participate in curriculum design. Even though the teachers use different evaluation methods in teaching, new ways of evaluation are needed. This may be something that innovative educational technology tools can make possible.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Rhode ◽  
Stephanie Richter ◽  
Peter Gowen ◽  
Murali Krishnamurthi

Purpose – As faculty professional development increasingly occurs online and through social media, it becomes challenging to assess the quality of learning and effectiveness of programs and resources, yet it is important to evaluate such initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to explore how one faculty development center experimented with using analytics to answer questions about the use and effectiveness of its web and social media resources. Design/methodology/approach – The case study was based on direct observation of the center’s practice and review of selected data generated by the analytic tools. Findings – Unfortunately, while some analytics are available from a variety of sources, they are often distributed across tools and services. The center developed an analytics strategy to use data from Google Analytics and social media reporting tools to assess the use of online and social professional development resources. Initial results show that the center’s online and social professional development resources are widely used, both within and outside the university. However, more work is necessary to improve the strength and scope of the available analytics. Practical implications – As a result of the analysis, the center has streamlined online resources, targeted social media use, and has begun developing methods to allow faculty to report online resource use as professional development for academic personnel purposes. Originality/value – Many faculty development centers have not explored methods of evaluating online and social media resources. This paper outlines a strategic evaluation plan to measure the usage of online resources as well as engagement and interaction through social media.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fitri Suraya Mohamad

The study investigates how Science teachers articulate their self-confidence in teaching Science with technology. Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) is used as the primary tool to describe their practice. Using a quantitative approach, with an initial survey of 408 science teachers from 59 secondary schools in a state in East Malaysia, descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted to assess science teachers’ level of TPACK and discriminate differences between perceptions on TPACK related to their teaching experience. Findings revealed that the level of Content Knowledge (CK), Pedagogical Knowledge (PK), Technological Knowledge (TK) and Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) are high, in comparison to their Technological Content Knowledge (TCK), Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK) and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) which were recorded at a moderate level. The study also found how teachers with more extensive experience teaching reported higher confidence with their CK, PK and PCK. Novice teachers indicated slightly higher confidence in their TK. The study provides a set of determiners for professional development opportunities for Sarawak Science teachers to upskill their knowledge to integrate science content, pedagogy, and technology.


Author(s):  
Kelly M. Mack ◽  
Kate Winter ◽  
Claudia M. Rankins

This chapter showcases the purpose, activities, and outcomes of the Teaching to Increase Diversity and Equity in STEM (TIDES) faculty professional development program, which significantly increased both faculty skill level and confidence with implementing culturally responsive pedagogies in the computer/information science disciplines. Starting with the structure of the application process, TIDES intentionally created an effective learning environment where computer and information science faculty could not only learn about culturally relevant teaching practices and the need for them, but also unlearn what they may have absorbed about historical inequities in society and higher education and address their implicit biases about who can and should succeed in STEM. Evaluative data indicate that TIDES exceeded all its target outcomes, so this chapter is shared to support the replication of a proven practice of professional development to foster culturally responsive pedagogy among STEM faculty and, therefore, to support the recruitment and retention of diverse students in STEM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-708
Author(s):  
Semila Fernandes ◽  
Pooja Gupta ◽  
V.V. Ajith Kumar

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to measure the academic motives of faculty in higher education to understand the pattern of relationships between work motivation scale (WMS) and technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK). Design/methodology/approach The research adopts regression analysis to help model the data collected from 63 faculty members from India. The empirical study investigated the relationship of intrinsic motivation (IntrM), integrated motivation (InteM), identified motivation (IdenM), introjected motivation (IntrjM), external regulation motivation (ExtR) and amotivation (Amot) with each of technological knowledge (TK), (pedagogical knowledge (PK), content knowledge (CK) and TPACK. Findings Optimal functioning among faculty was due to “InteM” followed by “IntrM” and “IdenM” that yielded most positive consequence (mean values>3.9). “ExtR” and “Amot” were the negative outcomes that would be counterproductive and result in employee dejection (Mean values<3.1). The results proved that all TPACK variables were positively related to “IntrM” – a self-determined motivation. Additionally, “TK” and “PK’ were positively related to “IntrjM” – a behavior that is regulated by self-esteem and self-worth; “TPACK” depicted positive relationship with “IntrjM” and negative correlation with “IdenM.” Research limitations/implications The study supported the fact that TPACK and WMS when analyzed together can create better engagement models among the faculty for an enriching learner experience interaction. Furthermore, it would help identify specific strategies on teacher development training programs through the integration of technology. Originality/value The study is original and seeks to inspect the relationship between TPACK and WMS among faculty of higher education in Indian business schools.


Author(s):  
Erik Brogt ◽  
Kerry Shephard ◽  
Bernadette Knewstubb ◽  
Tracy Leigh Rogers

This chapter discusses how Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) can be used to foster a research approach to teaching and learning and how faculty development that supports colleagues to engage in SoTL can support the development of scholarly faculty. Both the process and the product of SoTL are discussed, conceptualised as different levels of SoTL engagement. The role of the faculty developer in such scholarship is discussed, drawing on Pedagogical Content Knowledge as a framework for engagement in SoTL projects. Last, implications for the work of a faculty developer are drawn and future avenues of research in faculty development proposed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 1217-1253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen J. Roth ◽  
Christopher D. Wilson ◽  
Joseph A. Taylor ◽  
Molly A. M. Stuhlsatz ◽  
Connie Hvidsten

This study tests the influence of a video-based, analysis-of-practice professional development (PD) program on upper-elementary teachers’ science content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and teaching practice and on their students’ achievement. Using a cluster-randomized experimental design, the study compares the outcomes for teachers in an analysis-of-practice program with those of teachers in a content-deepening program. Mediational analyses explore the relationship between teacher outcomes and student learning. In comparison with the content-deepening PD program, the analysis-of-practice PD program significantly impacted teachers’ knowledge and practice. Mediation analyses revealed a strong relationship between teaching practice and student learning. The study advances the field beyond the currently accepted consensus model of effective PD toward an empirically tested model.


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