Confronting, Challenging, and Changing Teachers' Beliefs: Implications from a Local Systemic Change Professional Development Program

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia K. Fetters ◽  
Charlene M. Czerniak ◽  
Lara Fish ◽  
Jason Shawberry
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Systemic Change ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Teachers Beliefs

scholarly journals Effects of a professional development program for teaching mathematics with technology on teachers’ beliefs, self-efficacy and practices

ZDM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 1411-1422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Thurm ◽  
Bärbel Barzel
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Epistemological Beliefs ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Teaching Mathematics ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Teaching With Technology ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Digital technologies such as multi-representational tools have the potential to enhance the learning of mathematics. In light of this potential, there is a ubiquitous call to integrate such tools into mathematics teaching. However, these technologies are still underused. Teaching with technology is not an easy task and teacher competencies such as knowledge and beliefs are a decisive factor. Therefore, professional development is important to professionalize teachers and support them in using technology in meaningful ways. Despite this need, little is known about the efficacy of professional development programs for teaching mathematics with technology. This quantitative study investigated the efficacy of a half-year professional development program for teaching mathematics with technology, using the methodology of a quasi-experimental design, in Germany. We captured (i) teachers’ beliefs about teaching with technology, (ii) self-efficacy beliefs related to teaching with technology, (iii) epistemological beliefs and (iv) self-reported frequency of technology uptake with quantitative questionnaires in pre- and post-tests. The experimental group (n = 39) participating in the professional development program consisted of mostly novices in using technology for teaching mathematics. Propensity score matching was used to match this group with a control group of teachers (n = 38) who did not participate in the professional development program. The strongest impact of the professional development program was found on teacher’s technology-related beliefs. Frequency of technology use seemed to increase gradually in the experimental group during the professional development program. No effect of the professional development program was found on self-efficacy beliefs and epistemological beliefs. We conclude by deriving recommendations for designing professional development programs related to teaching with technology.

scholarly journals Putting inquiry-based learning into practice: How teachers changed their beliefs and attitudes through a professional development program

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Hofer ◽  
Anja Lembens
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Inquiry Based Learning ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

AbstractDespite the tremendous efforts which have been made over the last few years, inquiry-based learning (IBL) has not become an established practice in science education yet. Even if teachers consider IBL an important and valuable approach, they still refrain from implementing it in their own science classes. Research findings suggest that the teachers’ beliefs and attitudes have a crucial influence on their classroom practice. Only if they are compatible with the approach of IBL, the teachers will be willing to implement IBL in their own classes. This article demonstrates how the beliefs and attitudes of three Austrian chemistry teachers changed over the period of a 9-monthly professional development program (PDP). In order to ascertain their beliefs and attitudes regarding IBL previous to and after the PDP, we conducted a group discussion and three individual interviews. The statements from both dates were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis and indicate substantial changes concerning the teachers’ beliefs about the efficacy, capability and practicability of IBL. After participating in the PDP, the teachers took a more positive attitude regarding both IBL in general and its implementation. Considering the findings from this study, we formulate implications for designing PDP at the end.

scholarly journals Improving writing in social studies through professional development: Effects on teachers’ beliefs, classroom practice and students’ writing

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-308
Author(s):  
Jannet van Drie ◽  
Tanja Janssen ◽  
Talita Groenendijk
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Social Studies ◽  
Writing Instruction ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Design Principles ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Disciplinary Writing ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Meta Analyses

AbstractAlthough academic literacy is an important goal in secondary education, many students struggle with it, particularly with disciplinary writing. There is a need for a closer integration of writing with instruction in subject areas. We designed and implemented a practice-based professional development program aimed at improving teachers’ ability to teach writing within social studies. We distilled five design principles from meta-analyses of effective writing instruction, which teachers (twelve subject- and Dutch Language teachers) used to design lessons in their own classes. Effects of the program on teachers’ beliefs about writing instruction were measured with a questionnaire. Although no changes in beliefs were found, teachers indicated in a learner report that they had learned a lot about integrating writing in their lessons. After six months teachers reported that they felt more able to use the design principles and still used them in their lessons. Three interventions are described in more detail in this paper. Effects on students’ writing and knowledge of writing were measured using pre- and post-writing-tasks. Results showed a significant positive effect for the writing-instruction groups. We conclude that the professional development program enabled teachers to teach disciplinary writing within social studies and to improve students’ writing as well.

scholarly journals Significant process of change for elementary teachers to foster functional thinking

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (47) ◽  
pp. 1007-1015
Author(s):  
Nasim Asghary ◽  
Ahmad Shahvarani ◽  
Ali Reza Medghalchi
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Elementary Teachers ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Process Of Change ◽  
Functional Thinking ◽  
Level Of Use ◽  
Significant Process ◽  
Adaptation Model

The purpose of this study was to explore a professional development program that involved 15 teachers. Functional thinking was used as a centerpiece of the program for work with teachers of Grades 1-5 during 6 months of the study. We used the concern-based adaptation model (CBAM) as a methodology to track the process of change of teachers and to understand the trajectories through which teachers may progress. Two questions guided the investigations: 1. How does implementation of the professional development program focused on functional thinking impact teachers' concerns? 2. How did teachers' practice change due to the implementation of the innovation program? The result of the study showed effectiveness of process of change in teachers, both in stages of concerns and level of use of the innovation.

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