scholarly journals Activating the Teaching-Research Nexus in Smaller Universities: Case Studies Highlighting Diversity of Practice

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-158
Author(s):  
William E. Boyd ◽  
◽  
Meg O'Reilly ◽  
Danny Bucher ◽  
Kath Fisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Staff Development ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Panel Discussion ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Important Process ◽  
Dimensions Of Learning ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Teaching Research

The teaching-research nexus (TRN) has become an important process in the modern University, providing both identity to university scholarship and a device for the integration of academics’ work. Over the last decade many reports have identified the need to both establish institution-wide processes to embed and support TRN, and assist in academic professional development in adopting TRN. This case study reports one such institutional project, focussing on one element of the staff development program, a TRN panel discussion by academics who have engaged TRN. The discussion was structured around the five TRN dimensions of: Learning through research; Research-led teaching; Researching teaching; Teaching informed research; Learning how to do research. By reflecting on their personal experiences, the presenters provided example and discussion of the diversity of options within TRN. In evaluating this event, we consider the diversity of subtlety of TRN. There are clearly advantages for students and staff alike, and TRN allows the curriculum to have a significant authenticity. In terms of teaching, research becomes a core learning tool and foundation of the curriculum. TRN then becomes the catalyst for merging boundaries between teachers and learners, lecturers and researchers: TRN becomes a truly twoway relationship.

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.

TIPs to Maximize Meaningful Professional Development Programs and Initiatives

2017 ◽  
pp. 593-615
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Sanders ◽  
Mark P. Orbe
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Diversity Education ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Relational Dialectics Theory ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Professional Development Programs

At no other time in higher education have scholar researchers been called to demonstrate the value added of theoretically grounded diversity education. This signals the need for higher education to make deeper linkages between diversity education, learning outcomes and academic mission statements. By highlighting a few “TIPs” - attempts to move “theory into practice,” - the authors seek to answer the call to action. Through a case study approach the authors highlight a professional development program that fosters interactional diversity and serves as a catalyst for increasing awareness, mindfulness and positive organizational change. First, a diversity education initiative at a large mid-western university referred to as “The Institute” is described. Second, the theoretically grounded frameworks of anxiety/uncertainty management and relational dialectics theory is presented. Finally, the case study concludes by advocating for more robust professional development programs and initiatives that positively impact organizations. Implications for organizational leaders are discussed.

scholarly journals Staff Development as an Imperative Avenue in Ensuring Quality: The Experience of Adama University

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Yilfashewa Seyoum
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Staff Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
University Education ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Program Coordinators ◽  
Education Training ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
The University

All endeavors were devoted to investigate the views and feelings of stakeholders on the implementation of teachers’ professional development and its contribution to sustain academic programs quality at Adama University. A case study that constitutes qualitative and quantitative method was employed. In an attempt to achieve the objectives of the study, evidences were collected from students, staff members, professional development program coordinators, and management bodies. The data-collecting instruments for obtaining relevant information were questionnaires, interview, observation, and document analysis. The finding in relation to this study uncovers the fact that though continuous professional development has been perceived as the most useful avenue of teachers continuous and lifelong learning, for the most part, it is relegated to adhoc committees or interested group or institutional units in the system of university education/training. Moreover, the absence of PDP in the university organizational structure, clear mission and vision, defined and well-articulated policy, strategic plan, representatives in university senate meetings, adequate resources, well-identified and -preserved training facilities, and unit library were circumstances that in one way or another negatively affected the provision of effective professional development programs/trainings that may have adverse effect in the deliberation of quality education/training in Adama University.

The 4Cs Learning Model in Teacher Professional Development Program

Humaniora ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-157
Author(s):  
Sunardi Sunardi ◽  
Ferry Doringin
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Research Result ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Classroom Activities ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Trained Teachers ◽  
Creativity And Innovation

The research aimed to analyze the effectiveness of 4Cs models (communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving, as well as creativity and innovation) to improve teachers’ performance in the 21st-century era. The development of technology in the era, especially in the way of learning of students, was responded to lately by schools and teachers. Using a qualitative case study, the research analyzed the school’s professional development program using the 4Cs model. The research result shows that the model of 4Cs gives enthusiasm, and a deep impression on teachers in their classroom activities accelerates the competences of teachers in using technology. Besides, it shows the level of importance of the model: communication, then creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. The research has limitations in assessing the performance of students who are taught by trained teachers. So, further research is proposed to analyze the performance of students regarding the 4Cs competences.

Reflections on Personal Experiences of Staff Training and Continuing Professional Development for Academic Staff in the Development of High Quality Support for Disabled Students in Higher Education

2014 ◽  
pp. 1301-1318
Author(s):  
Alan Hurst
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Staff Development ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Disabled Students ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Made In

Despite the progress made in the development of policy and provision for disabled students in Higher Education since the issue first received attention in the UK in 1974, there is still some way to go before a state of genuine inclusion is reached. The key to further improvement and enhancement of quality is seen to lie in training for staff. After presenting evidence showing the need for more and better training, a number of issues relating to initial training and continuing professional development are discussed. A number of sample tasks for inclusion in staff development sessions are described.

Dividing by Zero: Exploring Null Results in a Mathematics Professional Development Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-42
Author(s):  
Heather C. Hill ◽  
Douglas Lyman Corey ◽  
Robin T. Jacob
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Cluster Randomized Trial ◽  
Professional Development Program ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Null Results

Background/Context Since 2002, U.S. federal funding for educational research has favored the development and rigorous testing of interventions designed to improve student outcomes. However, recent reviews suggest that a large fraction of the programs developed and rigorously tested in the past decade have shown null results on student outcomes and, often, intermediate variables. Scholars reporting on null results often explain such results by citing factors they informally identified while they either delivered or observed the program. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study In this paper, we argue for a more systematic approach to examining null results, and develop a framework for evaluating null results based on the policy implementation literature. We then illustrate this approach by examining why one professional development program failed to show impacts on measures of teaching and student learning in a recent study. Setting The professional development program took place in a mid-sized urban school district on the East Coast. The provider was fully scaled up, capable of providing professional development in most U.S. locations. Research Design The main study of this program was conducted as a cluster randomized trial with 105 teachers in 18 schools. Here, we engage in a qualitative case study, using multiple sources of evidence to assess the likelihood that specific reasons for null results are valid. Data Collection and Analysis The case study sources of evidence include observations of professional development; teacher surveys and logs; transcribed videos of teachers’ mathematics instruction; and teacher interviews. Findings/Results Our analysis suggested that null impacts could result from district priorities and instructional guidance that compete with professional development goals; weaknesses in the intervention as well as its fit to teachers’ needs; and the difficulty of implementing ambitious instructional practice. Conclusions/Recommendations Our findings suggest the need for further elaboration of the null-results framework. They also suggest that professional development providers consider both (a) both the organizations in which programs operate and (b) fit of the program to teachers’ needs as potential barriers to success.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document