scholarly journals Assessing faculty professional development in STEM higher education: Sustainability of outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. e1501422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L. Derting ◽  
Diane Ebert-May ◽  
Timothy P. Henkel ◽  
Jessica Middlemis Maher ◽  
Bryan Arnold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teaching Strategies ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Faculty Perceptions ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Faculty Professional Development ◽  
Learner Centered

We tested the effectiveness of Faculty Institutes for Reforming Science Teaching IV (FIRST), a professional development program for postdoctoral scholars, by conducting a study of program alumni. Faculty professional development programs are critical components of efforts to improve teaching and learning in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, but reliable evidence of the sustained impacts of these programs is lacking. We used a paired design in which we matched a FIRST alumnus employed in a tenure-track position with a non-FIRST faculty member at the same institution. The members of a pair taught courses that were of similar size and level. To determine whether teaching practices of FIRST participants were more learner-centered than those of non-FIRST faculty, we compared faculty perceptions of their teaching strategies, perceptions of environmental factors that influence teaching, and actual teaching practice. Non-FIRST and FIRST faculty reported similar perceptions of their teaching strategies and teaching environment. FIRST faculty reported using active learning and interactive engagement in lecture sessions more frequently compared with non-FIRST faculty. Ratings from external reviewers also documented that FIRST faculty taught class sessions that were learner-centered, contrasting with the teacher-centered class sessions of most non-FIRST faculty. Despite marked differences in teaching practice, FIRST and non-FIRST participants used assessments that targeted lower-level cognitive skills. Our study demonstrated the effectiveness of the FIRST program and the empirical utility of comparison groups, where groups are well matched and controlled for contextual variables (for example, departments), for evaluating the effectiveness of professional development for subsequent teaching practices.

scholarly journals Breaking the Cycle: Future Faculty Begin Teaching with Learner-Centered Strategies after Professional Development

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. ar22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Ebert-May ◽  
Terry L. Derting ◽  
Timothy P. Henkel ◽  
Jessica Middlemis Maher ◽  
Jennifer L. Momsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Learner Centered ◽  
Beliefs About Teaching ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Effective Models

The availability of reliable evidence for teaching practices after professional development is limited across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, making the identification of professional development “best practices” and effective models for change difficult. We aimed to determine the extent to which postdoctoral fellows (i.e., future biology faculty) believed in and implemented evidence-based pedagogies after completion of a 2-yr professional development program, Faculty Institutes for Reforming Science Teaching (FIRST IV). Postdocs (PDs) attended a 2-yr training program during which they completed self-report assessments of their beliefs about teaching and gains in pedagogical knowledge and experience, and they provided copies of class assessments and video recordings of their teaching. The PDs reported greater use of learner-centered compared with teacher-centered strategies. These data were consistent with the results of expert reviews of teaching videos. The majority of PDs (86%) received video ratings that documented active engagement of students and implementation of learner-centered classrooms. Despite practice of higher-level cognition in class sessions, the items used by the PDs on their assessments of learning focused on lower-level cognitive skills. We attributed the high success of the FIRST IV program to our focus on inexperienced teachers, an iterative process of teaching practice and reflection, and development of and teaching a full course.

scholarly journals Community College Faculty Perceptions of the Quality Matters™ Rubric

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhonda L. Gregory ◽  
Amanda J. Rockinson-Szapkiw ◽  
Vickie S. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Faculty Perceptions ◽  
Teaching Presence ◽  
Faculty Professional Development ◽  
Quality Matters ◽  
Faculty Teaching ◽  
Conclusion Section

This paper reviewed the factors that make up quality assurance including course design, content, delivery, and institutional support, as well as infrastructure in relationship to professional development impact on teaching practice. Building on the assumption identified in literature is the concept of course design being the most critical component impacting both student learning and faculty teaching. Course design affects student learning, faculty satisfaction with the course, establishes a teaching presence, and influences the transactional difference that occurs between the students and the instructor. Using the premise of the critical nature of course design, this study reviewed how the use of faculty professional development through a Applying the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR) workshop using the Quality Matters (QM) rubric as a framework to impact course design created specific faculty perceptions and affected teaching practice. Six themes identified from the research related to faculty’s perceived value and rigor of the QM rubric and training are discussed in the conclusion section.

Global Awareness Dialogue Project: Exploring Potential for Faculty Transformation Through a Professional Development Series

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-336
Author(s):  
Roxanna M. Senyshyn ◽  
Paula Smith
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Transformative Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Global Awareness ◽  
Faculty Professional Development ◽  
Diverse Classroom ◽  
Learning Framework

This article examines a faculty professional development program aimed at engaging faculty in an ongoing discussion about global awareness and the practices surrounding teaching and learning in a linguistically and culturally diverse classroom. The program is modeled on two key components: the engagement of undergraduate students and faculty in a structured dialogue outside the classroom and the contributions of experts to faculty discussions to locate and contextualize best practices. The initiative’s potential to affect faculty perspectives is explored through a transformative learning framework. Short-term and long-term assessments show that participants were motivated to improve and implement new instructional practices.

scholarly journals The Master Teacher Program: Professional Development for College Teachers

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Kerwin-Boudreau
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Master Teacher ◽  
College Teachers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Learner Centered ◽  
Teachers Perspectives

In this qualitative study I explored six college (CEGEP) teachers’ perspectives on teaching and learning over a two-year period, as they completed the first four courses in a professional development program, the Master Teacher Program (MTP). Repeated, semi-structured interviews were analyzed, using the complementary processes of categorizing and connecting. Results revealed, through four patterns and three major dimensions, a process of evolution from a teacher- to a learner-centered perspective.

scholarly journals Peer Mentoring: the Missing Piece in Graduate Professional Development

Fine Focus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
Kateri R. Salk ◽  
LeighAnn Tomaswick ◽  
Allison R. Rober
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Peer Mentoring ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Peer Mentors ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Faculty Professional Development ◽  
Faculty Advisors ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics

Many academic institutions offer professional development programs to prepare graduate students to meet the changing expectations of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty. Peer mentoring is not widely adopted in graduate professional development, yet incorporating this approach can better facilitate the transition from graduate student to faculty member. Using evidence from experience as peer mentors (2011-2017), we examine established characteristics of peer mentoring and evaluate their strengths in the context of a future faculty professional development program. Peer mentors coached mentees by sharing common experiences related to teaching and learning, provided a safe space for mentees to discuss their experiences, and acted as a liaison between mentees and faculty advisors. These benefits translate into increased competency for future faculty to engage in research, teaching, and mentoring.

scholarly journals Secondary School Teachers’ Professional Development in Australia and Shanghai: Needs, Support, and Barriers

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110269
Author(s):  
Guangbao Fang ◽  
Philip Wing Keung Chan ◽  
Penelope Kalogeropoulos
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Secondary School Teachers ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
Scheduled Time

Using data from the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS; 2013), this article explores teachers’ needs, support, and barriers in their professional development. The research finds that Australian teachers expressed greater needs in information and communication technology (ICT) use and new technology training for teaching, while Shanghai teachers required more assistance to satisfy students’ individual learning and pedagogical competencies. More than 80% of Australian and Shanghai teachers received scheduled time to support their participation in professional development, whereas less than 20% of Australian and Shanghai teachers received monetary or nonmonetary support. In terms of barriers, Australian and Shanghai teachers reported two significant barriers that conflicted with their participation in professional development: “working schedule” and “a lack of incentives to take part.” This article reveals implications of the study in the design of an effective professional development program for Australian and Shanghai teachers and ends with discussing the limitations of the research and future research directions.

scholarly journals Internationalizing teacher education curricula: opportunities for academic staff development

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-169
Author(s):  
Mónica Lourenço
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Staff Development ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Staff Development ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of a collaborative workshop, aimed to support teacher educators in embedding a “global outlook” in the curriculum on their perceived professional development. Design/methodology/approach The workshop included working sessions, during a period of 13 months, and was structured as participatory action research, according to which volunteer academics designed, developed and evaluated global education projects in their course units. Data were gathered through a focus group session, conducted with the teacher educators at a final stage of the workshop, and analyzed according to the principles of thematic analysis. Findings Results of the analysis suggest that the workshop presented a meaningful opportunity for teacher educators to reconstruct their knowledge and teaching practice to (re)discover the importance of collaborative work and to assume new commitments to themselves and to others. Originality/value The study addresses a gap in the existing literature on academic staff development in internationalization of the curriculum, focusing on the perceptions of teacher educators’, whose voices have been largely silent in research in the field. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for a professional development program in internationalization of the curriculum.

scholarly journals Preparing In-Service Teacher Using Dynamic Geometry Software

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.30) ◽  
pp. 367
Author(s):  
Fariz Setyawan ◽  
Yosep Dwi Kristanto ◽  
Naufal Ishartono
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Dynamic Geometry ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Dynamic Geometry Software ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Skills Transfer ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Use Of Technology

The use of technology is essential in teaching and learning process. Many researchers have already been implemented Dynamic Geometry Software (DGS) in teaching and learning process. Given the importance of DGS, it is necessary for in-service teachers to use the software in their teaching and learning. Hence, it is important to prepare in-service teacher in utilizing DGS through the professional development program. This is a qualitative research which describes a professional development program to facilitate in-service teachers in utilizing DGS. Both questionnaire and review measured in-service teachers’ perceptions, knowledge and skills transfer, and impact for their practice. From the findings, four of five in-service teachers recognized that they can interact with geometric figures to move on to the next level by using DGS. The teachers felt that DGS has helped them to understand the mathematics concept and demonstrate their understanding in front of the class. Besides, DGS does not only offer opportunities for teachers and students to use them both at home and in the classroom, but they also provide a means for developing support and user communities reaching across borders especially in understanding of geometrical transformation. It has contributed that the teachers easily recognize the geometrical shapes interpretations dynamically on DGS.

scholarly journals Task-Based Technology: Portuguese Language Teaching Practices

2020 ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
Joana Carvalho ◽  
◽  
Sixto Cubo Delgado ◽  
Inmaculada Sánchez Casado
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Teaching Strategies ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Development Data

As part of a PhD investigation, this presentation aims to reveal the findings on Portuguese as a Non-Native Language (PNNL) teaching practice when using technology to implement other language approaches such as Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). A mixed research was developed to explain if there was a relation between technology use and the implementation of different language methods and teaching strategies, and also holistic task development. Data was gathered from 101 PNNL teachers, with working experience in and out of Portugal. The results provided evidence that technology was not being used to engage students in active learning and holistic tasks, as TBLT sustains, nor was it being used to develop different language methods and teaching strategies. It has been concluded that PNNL teachers were not using technology in their teaching practice to better implement other language methods, such as TBLT.

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