scholarly journals Learning Study och kollegial CoRe stimulerar lärares professionella utveckling inom naturvetenskaplig undervisning

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niclas Åhman ◽  
Gunilla Gunnarsson ◽  
Inger Edfors
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Experienced Teachers ◽  
Variation Theory ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Interconnected Model ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
In The Beginning

Syftet med studien är att klargöra hur lärares professionella utveckling stimuleras då de planerar och genomför en Learning Study (LS) kombinerad med verktyget Content Representation (CoRe). Data består av sex erfarna lärares inspelade diskussioner under åtta träffar då de planerar och analyserar en LS bestående av två lektioner i årkurs 6 inom kemi, samt tre CoRe som lärarna skriver. I början av studien talar lärarna mest om undervisning som att fakta ska förmedlas till eleverna. När de sedan planerar första lektionen övergår deras diskussioner till hur de kan stimulera eleverna till diskussion och reflektion. Lärarna planerar både lektion 1 och 2 utifrån ett variationsteoretiskt perspektiv, men lektion 1 genomförs inte i enlighet med vad de planerat. Det är först i lektion 2 som läraren behåller fokus på lärandeobjektet och dess kritiska aspekter. Resultatet av studien visar även att en Learning Study kombinerad med CoRe stimulerar lärares professionella utveckling och ämnesdidaktiska kompetens i form av lärande nätverk enligt Clarkes och Hollingsworths (2002) modell ”interconnected model of professional growth”. In English: The aim of this study is to explore science teachers’ professional development when they perform a Learning Study (LS), using the tool Content Representations (CoRe). The empirical data consists of six experienced teachers’ audio recorded discussions during eight meetings when they plan and analyse two lectures in chemistry for year 6 (age 12-13 years), and three written CoRe. In the beginning of the study, the teachers talk about teaching and learning mainly as transformation of facts. However, when they plan the first lecture, they discuss how to stimulate students’ discussions and reflections. The teachers planned both lectures according to variation theory. However, only the second lecture is also implemented according to their plan, with a focus on the object of learning. The results show that the combination of CoRe and LS stimulate also experienced teachers’ professional development, through growth networks according to the model "interconnected model of professional growth" (Clarke and Hollingsworth, 2002).

scholarly journals In-service Science Teacher Professional Development

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-219
Author(s):  
Niclas Åhman ◽  
Gunilla Gunnarsson ◽  
Inger Edfors
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Science Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Investigation Period ◽  
Reflective Approach ◽  
Group Meetings ◽  
One Year ◽  
Teachers Professional Development

The aim of the present study was to explore teachers’ professional development when using the tool Content Representations (CoRe) to plan a learning study in chemistry, which they also implemented and analysed. The work of six experienced science teachers, all teaching at the 6th to 9th year (age 13 to 16 years), was followed at eight group meetings during one year. The teachers’ discussions during the group meetings were audio and/or video recorded. Recordings were transcribed and a thematic analysis was performed. The results show that two main approaches to teaching emerged in the teachers’ discussions, a pragmatic and a reflective approach, respectively. During the investigation period, the focus of the teachers’ discussions changed, from a predominantly pragmatic approach to a predominantly reflective approach. The results indicate that the work with CoRe and learning study stimulated the teachers to express and discuss their knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards teaching, i.e. promoted their professional development.

How and what teachers learn from collaborative professional development

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Wood ◽  
Halida Jaidin ◽  
Rosmawijah Jawawi ◽  
J.S.H.Q. Perera ◽  
Sallimah Salleh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Teacher Learning ◽  
Lesson Study ◽  
Educational Outcome ◽  
Variation Theory ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Face ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
Dimensions Of Variation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on a study of teacher learning through participation in sustained collaborative subject-based professional development groups supported by a facilitator, using a model of teachers’ conceptions of teaching developed from phenomenography to identify what are the critical features of teaching that must be present if teachers are to learn, and using a variation theory of learning to explain how they learn. Design/methodology/approach The groups engaged in cycles of lesson study action research to improve the learning outcomes of their students. The authors intended to engage the teachers in an exploration of their own and their students’ experiences to understand the relationship between the enactment of the research lesson(s) and the educational outcome. The authors collected over 157 hours of video recorded teachers’ meetings involving 15 groups, 47 hours of follow-up interviews and 97 hours of lessons. In this paper the authors report on the progress of one of those groups. The authors analysed the transcripts to see what, if any, dimensions of variation were opened in discussion, affording the opportunity for learning. The authors sought the simultaneous juxtaposition, the bringing together, of threads that have entered the discussion that have the potential to open dimensions of variation – to add critical features to the “what” and “how” dimensions of teaching. Findings The authors identified necessary conditions for teacher learning through collaborative subject-based professional development groups. Any member of the group might bring this about. The facilitator or coach might be expected to perform this role in the group, and to sustain the group’s attention on the critical features of the object of learning. Practical implications The paper provides valuable insights into strategies to change teacher perspectives from a transmission oriented to a construction oriented view of teaching in the face of new and challenging curriculum demands. Originality/value In the work reported here the authors have used variation theory to design lesson study. This is rather different from a learning study where the teachers engaged in the study use variation theory to design their research lesson(s). It is a learning study of teachers’ professional development.

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 WASHBACK TO LANGUAGE TEACHERS: A REVIEW OF MODELS AND EMPIRICAL RESEARCH IN AND BEYOND VIETNAM

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinh Minh Thu
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Key Innovation ◽  
Teachers Professional Development

Washback, i.e., test effects on teaching and learning, has been emerging as an attractive research topic in language training and assessment for over the past 20 years for its significant implications of test validation and fairness for both policy-makers and practitioners. Presently, it deserves more Vietnamese researchers' interest in the context of the enactment of the National Foreign Language Project 2020 (extended to 2025), which puts language assessment as a key innovation requirement. Washback operates either positively or negatively; i.e. promoting or inhibiting learning. Teachers are considered the precursor in the washback mechanism. There is only one washback model on the washback effects on teachers, which is proposed by Shih (2009). This paper aims to critically browse other washback models besides Shin’s (2009) to generate a washback framework on teachers' perceptions and practices. Previous empirical washback research on teachers in and beyond Vietnam is, then, investigated in alignment with the aspects illustrated in the framework to point out achievements and gaps in the field. A qualitative approach of document analysis of over forty studies of differing types, i.e. books, dissertations and articles, has been adopted to reach the research aim. The discussion is divided into two major parts, including the washback models pertaining to teachers to scaffold a model for teachers' perceptions and practices, and the results in empirical research in terms of the aspects mentioned in the model. Findings show that washback on teachers' perceptions ranges from perceptions of the test itself, students' language ability, teaching contents and methodology to teachers' professional development. Plus, washback on teachers' practices concerns their selections of teaching contents and methodology in class as well as their involvement in professional development. The element of professional development can be considered a new light in the reviewed washback model. This has a significant meaning by raising teachers' awareness of developing themselves professionally. The current paper expects to contribute to elaborating the scenario of washback research for interested researchers, practitioners and policymakers not only in but beyond the context of Vietnam.

Engaging Teachers in Science Practices and Discourse Through Online Professional Development

2019 ◽  
pp. 413-435
Author(s):  
Mary V. Mawn ◽  
Kathleen S. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Online Professional Development ◽  
Science Practices ◽  
Time Distance ◽  
Elementary And Middle School

Online professional development courses and programs provide science teachers with ongoing and relevant professional development opportunities that overcome time, distance, and budget pressures. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, this chapter presents a case study of elementary and middle school teachers enrolled in two online courses in chemistry and science education. Based on this work, three themes emerged: the ability to incorporate inquiry-based teaching and learning in online environments, the importance of online discourse and reflection, and the role of linking theory with practice. Specifically, teacher participants reported increased experience exploring content via inquiry, felt actively engaged with their peers as they constructed their knowledge, and expected to adapt inquiry-based activities in their classrooms as a result of these online courses.

A Paradigm Shift for Teachers' Professional Development Structure in Turkey

2016 ◽  
pp. 1017-1036
Author(s):  
Murat Günel ◽  
Melike Özer-Keskin ◽  
Nilay Keskin-Samancı
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Epistemological Beliefs ◽  
General Structure ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Training Activities ◽  
Teachers Professional Development

This chapter concerns the importance of in-service training programmes for the professional development of science teachers. A description will be given of the general structure of in-service training activities in Turkey and the results will be presented of an in-service training project, which was conducted as part of a three-year longitudinal study. Within the scope of the project, an in-service training programme for science teachers was conducted based on the argument-based inquiry approach and the theoretical premises upon which it is built. The project aimed to direct science teachers towards student-centred teaching. The training activities focused on the scientific thinking underpinning the teachers' professional knowledge and practices, their perceptions on learning, and their pedagogical practices and epistemological beliefs. The extent to which these activities affected classroom applications and learning processes was investigated and the findings suggest that they had a statistically significant impact on the teachers' pedagogical development and on the students' academic performance and thinking skills.

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