scholarly journals By design: Professional learning ecologies to develop primary school teachers’ makerspaces pedagogical capabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 1260-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Stevenson ◽  
Matt Bower ◽  
Garry Falloon ◽  
Anne Forbes ◽  
Maria Hatzigianni
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Learning Ecologies

scholarly journals Primary School Teachers' Uptake of Professional Readings: Understanding the Factors Affecting Teachers' Learning

Teachers Work ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Clare Kitchen ◽  
Maree Jeurissen ◽  
Susan Gray
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Reading Attitudes ◽  
First Year ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Speakers Of Other Languages ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Professional Reading

Professional reading is a core source of input in teacher professional development. This article describes 47 primary school teachers' reports of their professional reading both in their schools and during the first year of a university TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other languages) in-service qualification. One third of these teachers are bilingual. Both motivation and engagement are explored and vignettes of two bilingual teachers illustrate these factors. The findings show the frequency of participation in professional learning through professional readings is beneficial but low, however teacher professional reading attitudes are dynamic, the variables being relevancy and agency.

scholarly journals Primary school teachers’ professional development through the learning ecologies lens: new ways for keeping up to date in uncertain times

PUBLICACIONES ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-70
Author(s):  
Albert Sangrá Morer ◽  
Juliana E. Raffaghelli ◽  
Mercedes González Sanmamed ◽  
Pablo César Muñoz Carril
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Formal Training ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Margin Of Error ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
Learning Ecologies

Learning is evolving, just as the world and society are. In this context, teachers are also experiencing new ways for updating their professional development. The metamorphosis of learning is currently being pushed by four main catalysts: the connectivity of networks, the empowerment of the students, the overcoming of space and time barriers, and the assumption of the existence of silent, unnoticed learning. But these uncertain times have added a new, recent catalyst for change in learning and education: the COVID-19 pandemic. In the framework of the ECO4LEARN research project, a study was designed and carried out to check to what extent the learning ecologies approach could provide information on how primary school teachers organise their learning and how they make decisions about it. A survey was sent to the entire population of primary school teachers in Catalonia, getting 1,253 answers. The calculated margin of error was ±3.14%. Data analysis was conducted along three steps: a) Descriptive statistics; b) Principal Component Analysis (PCA); and c) Multiple Regression. Results show that the learning ecologies approach proves to be useful for analysing the actual means teachers use for their professional development and updating. Although some teachers are more advanced, practices do not respond to what could be expected regarding the use of less formal training for teachers and its mediation through the use of technologies. Regarding the sample analysed, the digital dimension of teacher professional development practices is still in its inception. Some recommendations are provided.

Drama pedagogy as a catalyst for shifting language anxiety in primary school teachers: offering critical engagement within EFL classroom

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Araki
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Content Type

PurposeJapanese school teachers are facing challenges under the new curricula reform, and there is still a lack of preparation to guide them to a successful implementation. Dilemmas related to teaching English language in primary schools were seen among participant teachers in a program of professional learning. This study aims (1) to identify a feeling of anxiety and readiness to the new EFL curricula and (2) to offer a professional learning program for shifting their concerns to regain their confidence and agency as educators.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted based on qualitative research. Qualitative data was collected from 40 participating teachers in the professional learning program, and later was critically analysed.FindingsInitial findings revealed that the majority of participants felt concerned towards teaching EFL in their school, as they are homeroom teachers, not specialist teachers in EFL. Drama pedagogy helped shifting their language anxiety and repositioning themselves within the new EFL curricular implementation, as it became evident through the reflections of the professional development workshop.Originality/valueThe study highlights current educational issues that Japanese primary school teachers are facing. Failure to fully address their feeling of anxiety underlies the Japanese school culture. Drama pedagogy, despite being quite new to educational pedagogy in Japan, was effective in allowing the participants to freely express their voices.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document