Promoting Continuous Professional Development of English Teachers Through Action Research

The current study adopts a mixed-method research design to foster English Language instructors’ attitude toward professional development, self-efficacy beliefs, and reflective thinking. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory constituted the base and the professional development program was designed accordingly. The participants of the study were nine English Language instructors working at three different universities. Throughout the 16-week program, it was aimed to equip the participants with action research skills to conduct their own study in their own context according to their needs and/or interests. All the participants completed the Plan, Act, Observe, and Reflect stages of the Action Research Cycle.

Behavioral Analysis of Individuals in Crises

Political, social, economic, and civilization changes trigger a number of issues that require the development of personal characteristics sufficient for survival and adaptation to life in a society stricken by a crisis. In general, we can talk about a neurotic personality, the signs of which manifest themselves in anxiety, the actualization of specific negative defenses, suspicion, feelings of resentment and guilt, loss of sense in life. To prevent or counteract these disrupting behaviors, one needs to seek meanings and ideas of self-actualization, to grow spiritually, acquire "psychological culture" while learning to build their life experience in the form of the worldview of reality, so-called semantic pictureу of the world. The development and reinforcement of this worldview are made possible due to spiritual values, reflective thinking, conscience, intuition, achieving integrity and the highest cognitive and aesthetic human needs, which are respect and self-actualization. Such type of individual is open-minded and inquisitive, ready to push the boundaries, which is also a sign of the capability for transcendence.

Translation of Reflective Thinking Questionnaire: A Structural Equation Model

The purpose of this study is to translate, validate the reflective thinking questionnaire, and to explain the reflective thinking profile of UIN Mataram biology prospective teachers. A total 243 of UIN Mataram biology prospective teacher as voluntary respondents. The data analysis process was carried out using the JASP for windows analysis package. Structural equation model testing based on P-value, CFI, and RMSEA. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis, from 16 items were analyzed, only 11 items supported a fit model, with P-value= 0.225, CFI= 0.986, and RMSEA= 0.026. The 11 items reflect four categories of RT (understanding, reflection, habitual action, and critical reflection), show high internal consistency, and show good construct validity. The translation of the RT questionnaire was declared valid and could be used to measure RT.