scholarly journals ICT Professional Development Workshops and Classroom Implementation Challenges: Perceptions of Secondary School Teachers in Trinidad and Tobago

Author(s):  
Steve Warner ◽  
Muhammed Malik ◽  
Joanne Mohammed

The Ministry of Education (MoE) of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has recently embarked on another teacher training program to equip secondary school teachers with the necessary competencies for ICT infusion in their physical classrooms. This study aims to investigate the impact and usefulness of that program, and challenges that the teachers have been facing in its implementation. Thirteen interviews (eight one-on-one and five focused group) were conducted from forty trained teachers. The findings showed that almost all the teachers were quite content and even ecstatic about the workshops and were willing to use the acquired knowledge and skills. Those who were able to use the knowledge and skills attained in the workshops reported improved students’ interest, classroom interaction, and academic performance. However, many expressed disappointments due to the multiple obstacles at their schools which prevented them from fully and effectively using the knowledge and skills from the workshops. They specifically reported insufficient number of computers, poor and inapt ICT environment and most importantly, unreliable internet access and connectivity. This study identifies three important elements in the successful implementation of any ICT in education program: willingness (mainly of administrators, teachers and students), training (especially for the teachers) and infrastructure (physical, hardware and software). Although, there was an overwhelming willingness from the teachers (even excitement) and adequate training, issues with infrastructure appear to be preventing the policy from yielding desired results. In order to ensure that the current policy brings the desired results, the MoE must not only provide effective professional development training for teachers, but also furnish schools with the necessary ICT resources and infrastructure. Only then, the MoE may revolutionize the education system through ICT. Keywords: ICT in education, professional development, teacher training, 21st century skills, Trinidad

Author(s):  
Zairemmawia Renthlei ◽  
Prof. L N Mishra

The professional development of teachers is an important aspect of education and the main avenue for the professional development of secondary school teachers is the in-service training programmes organised by the district education offices. This study is an attempt to study the transactional modalities i.e. the manner in which the training programmes are organised by the various district education offices. Training Centres in all eight districts of Mizoram were visited and administrative staff from all the district offices were interviewed. Findings were tabulated and recommendations made for improvement. KEYWORDS: In-service Training Programme, Secondary School Teachers, Training Centres, Transactional Modalities, Challenges, Thrust Areas, Recommendations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shakir ◽  
Muhammad Aslam Adeeb

The study aimed to assess teachers’ professional development and code of conduct based on national professional standards in Pakistan. The main objectives of the study were (a) to evaluate teachers’ professional development and code of conduct based on national professional standards in Pakistan (b) to categorize teachers’ professional competencies based on five levels define in rubrics and (c) to recommend appropriate professional code of conduct and professional standards for global teacher.  The population of the study was consisted of all the secondary school teachers of Punjab Province. To conduct the observational survey of this research, a sample of 453 participants from Punjab province was selected to observe the teachers in field directly. The collected data through observational check list was analyzed with the help of software SPSS by using statistical formulas of chi-square, simple mean and percentage. The analysis of various levels shows that 38.4% teachers occasionally understand how teaching practices can be innovative while only 36.2% secondary school teachers know the importance of teaching practice. It is concluded that more than half of the teachers were having poor knowledge about professional code of conduct; they did not now even the importance of teaching practice. Majority of the teachers seems incompetent in applying action research during the classroom. Study suggested that there is need to set career development direction through certificates, degrees, and career ladders, linked to compensation adequate with experience and qualifications. These achievements have to be adequately compensated financially, based on achievement and experience.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Safia Saeed

There are so many characteristics and traits of personality and all the characteristics, qualities and competencies need training, grooming, improvement and development. The best classroom environment is one that results in efficient learning. Discipline involves employing guidance and teaching techniques to encourage students to become self-directive and therefore to create an atmosphere conducive to learning. Teachers are decision-makers as they manage the daily routines of their classrooms. Some teachers squeeze out every minute of learning possible. They are highly organized and well prepared, and they constantly think and plan ahead. This doesn’t mean that they create a cold classroom atmosphere where students feel unwelcome. Rather, they are warm and enthusiastic teachers who are simply well organized and equally well versed in teaching. The major objective of this study was as to investigate the problems of classroom management of the secondary school teachers in Punjab. The population of the study consisted of the heads of the teacher training institutions, teacher educators, heads of secondary schools, secondary school teachers, and students. The sample included randomly selected ten heads of teacher training institutions, 50 teacher trainers, 800 hundred heads of secondary schools, 4,000 secondary school teachers and 4,000 students. Four questionnaires (one each for heads, teacher trainers, teachers and students) were developed for collection of data. Data were collected, analyzed and interpreted in the light of objective by using the Chi- Square. It was concluded from the study that the majority of respondents agreed that secondary school teachers were aware of time management skills, kept the classroom environment conducive for learning, and improved the learning skills of the students by using different behavior modification techniques. The majority of respondents agreed that secondary school teachers were dealing with the students in a non-psychological way; it was the common areas in which secondary school teachers had weak competencies. For improving the classroom management skills, in-service short courses should be planned and attendance of secondary school teachers in such courses should be made obligatory. For maintaining the discipline in the class, teacher should be trained in such a way that they properly understand each and every method with its proper use in particular situations. Short courses, seminars and symposia should be organized on a regular basis to refresh the knowledge of working secondary teachers. Teachers should understand human, as well as educational, psychology and apply it in their teaching process in the classroom.


2012 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 3502-3506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esra Bozkurt ◽  
Nusret Kavak ◽  
Havva Yamak ◽  
Sedef Canbazoğlu Bilici ◽  
Ozlem Darici ◽  
...  

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