scholarly journals Teachers’ Professional Development on Digital and Media Literacy. Findings and recommendations from a European project

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-19
Author(s):  
Maria Ranieri ◽  
Isabella Bruni ◽  
Anne-Claire Orban de Xivry

Abstract Media and digital literacy are being increasingly recognized as a fundamental competence for teachers of 21st century, but teachers’ professional development is still far from coping with this emerging need. This paper aims at providing some recommendations for integrating media literacy into in-service teacher training programs. To this purpose, it will present the results of the experimentation carried out in three European training institutions within the framework of the European project e-MEL (e-Media Education Lab, 2014–17). The overall training process was monitored and evaluated ex-ante, ongoing and ex-post. This paper illustrates and discusses the main findings of the experimentation focusing on strengths and challenges for implementing a teacher training program on digital and media literacy. It concludes with some recommendations and more general reflections on future research directions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Katherine L. Boice ◽  
Justina R. Jackson ◽  
Meltem Alemdar ◽  
Analía E. Rao ◽  
Sabrina Grossman ◽  
...  

There is growing enthusiasm for STEAM education in preparing students for an increasingly complex world. However, implementing STEAM in the classroom can be challenging for educators, as it may require collaboration across disciplines, increased workload, and understanding the nature of STEAM integration. This paper details a mixed-methods evaluation of a year-long STEAM teacher training program, in which a STEM teacher and an arts teacher collaborated to design and implement integrated STEAM lessons at each of the nine participating schools (n = 17). The training program consisted of a 5-week summer professional development experience, followed by ongoing financial, material, and pedagogical support during the school year, made possible by the partnership of the schools, a university, and community organizations. Findings from surveys, focus groups, and written reflections suggest that, despite certain challenges, aspects of the training program supported teacher implementation of STEAM. Participation in the program impacted teachers’ collaboration, pedagogy, self-efficacy, and arts integration practices. The findings offer insight into the forms of support that teachers deem important in STEAM teacher training programs and the benefits of such a program for teachers’ professional development.


Author(s):  
Maria Ranieri ◽  
Isabella Bruni

Media and digital literacy are being increasingly recognized as a fundamental competence for teachers of the twenty-first century, but academic training of future teachers is still far from full implementation of this emerging need. This chapter aims to explore how media and digital literacy education can be integrated into teacher education courses through the presentation of the results of a program on digital storytelling implemented at the University of Florence (Italy) within the framework of the European project e-MEL (e-Media Education Lab, 2014-17). The overall learning process was monitored and evaluated ex-ante, ongoing, and ex-post. This chapter illustrates and discusses the main findings of the experimentation focusing on the effectiveness of the educational activities, the sustainability of training in a blended modality, students' participation and satisfaction, and the transferability of acquired skills. It concludes with some considerations about experience and more general reflections on future research directions.


SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110269
Author(s):  
Guangbao Fang ◽  
Philip Wing Keung Chan ◽  
Penelope Kalogeropoulos

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-120
Author(s):  
Maria Ranieri ◽  
Andrea Nardi ◽  
Francesco Fabbro

Abstract Media and intercultural education are being increasingly recognised as a fundamental competence for teachers of the 21st century. Digital literacy and civic competence are facing several new challenges in response to the intensification of migratory phenomena and the unprecedented spread of fake news, especially among adolescents at risk of social exclusion, but teachers’ professional development is still far from coping with this emerging need. Intercultural understanding and a critical use of media among adolescents have now become primary goals for the promotion of active citizenship. This article intends to provide some recommendations on how to support teachers’ professional development in the field of media and intercultural education. To this purpose, it presents and discusses the results of an action-research project aimed at teachers’ improvement of teaching skills about the media in multicultural public schools. The results are part of a larger European project “Media Education for Equity and Tolerance” (MEET) (Erasmus Plus, KA3), an initiative promoted in 2016–2018 by the University of Florence (Italy).


Author(s):  
Olena Volyarska

Comprehensive analysis of scientific studies of national and foreign scientists showed that the problem of the teachers’ professional development improvement has been represented in theoretical and practical philosophical, psychological and pedagogical science. The analysis of development of the postgraduate education tendencies, life-long professional education of adult learners, long-term scientific and pedagogical experience have revealed the relevance of research in the improving of the teachers professional development. This research has been appropriated by the increased requirements for postgraduate education and traditional approaches to the development of the teachers’ professional competences and by the necessity to cope with the existing stereotypes, changing attitudes and approaches to the teachers’ professional growth.The aim of the research is to identify the spheres of improvement for the professional development of teachers in the system of postgraduate education.The interpretation of the teachers’ professional development has been defined as an increase of their professional competence in the result of practical experience and prolonged purposeful and coordinated self-education in the conditions of formal, non-formal and informal adult education.The main directions of improvement of Ukrainian teachers’ professional development in our in-service teacher training include: 1) systematic implementation of educational innovation in postgraduate education content; 2) development of the blended forms of teacher training for providing educational possibilities for various special optional courses, trainings and seminars on full-time training conferences, consultations, participation in online conferences, electronic forums, chats on the distance remote basis; 3) creation of a system of the various modular courses and teacher trainings, which provides a clear definition, diagnosis and monitoring of professional competence components, based on a modular educational technology and which is one of the modern innovations in adult education; 4) development of partnership subject-subject interaction in in-service training, where the participants of training activities are oriented to the professional development, personal and professional growth.The results of studies have stated that a comprehensive personal training for teachers should be oriented to the development of their willingness to increase the effectiveness of the professional activities. In the further researches we consider the necessity of studying and generalization of international and national databases on the teachers’ continuous professional development.


Author(s):  
Lingyun Lu

This study sought to discover whether group mentoring could serve the purpose for which it is intended in an early childhood educational context. As an alternative to the traditional mentoring model, group mentoring attempts to provide as much, if not more, instructional and emotional support as traditional mentoring relationships, which we assume to be conducive to teachers' professional development in Chinese early childhood educational contexts. In addition, group mentoring facilitates communication, collaboration and mutual growth in ways that traditional mentoring lacks. It also examined whether both mentors and mentees could be involved in the mentoring process as learners and as reflective educators on their journey of professional development, including developing their reflective and research capabilities. This qualitative case study focused on the impact of group mentoring on the professional development of four teachers in a Shanghai kindergarten. Within the theoretical framework of COP (Community of Practice), it was an investigation of how the group mentoring process, an alternative to traditional models of professional development, had an impact on the teachers in a changing early childhood education context in China. This study featured in-depth individual interviews with the four teachers (two mentors and two mentees), who are in the same mentoring group, and observations of their group mentoring activities. Data was coded and analyzed qualitatively. Major themes emerged from the study: the teachers' perceptions of the model, the benefits and challenges it brings, and its influence on their relationships and identity. The study aimed to gain insight into how group mentoring, a potentially optimal model, has exerted an influence on the teachers' professional development. This study concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings and areas for future research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 40-53
Author(s):  
Janak Singh Negi

Developing any new teacher training program for Teachers’ Professional Development (TPD) should start from where the teachers are and what they actually need, which is very essential to bring out innovation and improvement in the field of ELT. The present study represents teachers’ voices from Far Western and Mid-Western part of Nepal based on the survey data collected from EFL teachers. The researcher reached to the conclusion that teachers should be trained and given opportunities on how to put the existing knowledge in to practice according to the learning context, needs and available resources creating their own context specific methodology keeping oneself up to date with global practices including the integration of ICT in the field of ELT. Journal of NELTA, Vol. 21, No. 1-2, 2016, Page:40-53


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-93
Author(s):  
Khaled Dweikat ◽  
Munther Zyoud

The current study investigated the activities and practices used by three female EFL teachers during the coronavirus pandemic between March 2020 till February 2021. The study also explored the difficulties and obstacles faced by the three teachers during that period. To achieve these objectives, a qualitative approach utilizing a case study design was employed using three tools: teachers’ written reflections, content analysis of teachers’ posts on the social media, and a focus group meeting via Zoom. The significance of the study emerges from its objectives to contribute to EFL teachers’ professional development during the emergency cases. Results revealed that the three teachers were able to cope with the new situation by adopting new methods of content delivery and new forms of communication as well. These teachers used online technologies such as Facebook, YouTube, and Microsoft Teams to communicate with their students and the parents as well. However, some challenges emerged, including the financial situation of the families and its impact on students’ access to internet connection and family affordability. Under these conditions, teacher training programs are in demand for using appropriate technologies that engage the students and attract their attention.


EFL Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Ait Bouzid ◽  
Reddad Erguig ◽  
Mohamed Yeou

This paper investigates ways in which textbook evaluation can help in implementing a positive change in EFL teachers’ professional careers. It draws the attention of Moroccan high school English language practitioners to the viability of using textbook evaluation as a reflective practice to enhance teachers’ professional development. It argues that a systematic textbook evaluation allows teachers to develop professionally while reflecting on the content of the textbooks they are using. This process can be formative within the formal guided context of in-service teacher training programs where voluntary teachers regularly meet in teacher learning communities (TLCs)devoted to textbook evaluation. The objective of such collective reflective activity is to encourage teachers’ lifelong learning as they will learn from each other’s experiences and improve their teaching practices. Eventually, they will agree on effective reflective practices which promote teachers’ professional development. The findings recorded by TLCs could be used in improving the quality of future textbooks. A survey was designed to explore the attitudes of Moroccan high school English language teachers towards the suggested model of textbook evaluation and its ability to promote teachers’ professional development. The findings demonstrated that the teachers are in favor of the suggested textbook evaluation model as they believe that it has the potential of gearing not only their professional development, but also the quality of current and future ELT textbooks.


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