scholarly journals Teacher Induction in Schools as Learning Communities: Successful Pathways to Teachers’ Professional Development in a Diverse School Serving Students Living in Poverty

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 7146
Author(s):  
Rocío García-Carrión ◽  
Maria Padrós Cuxart ◽  
Pilar Alvarez ◽  
Ainhoa Flecha
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Teacher Induction ◽  
New Teachers ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Qualified Teachers ◽  
Dialogic Approach ◽  
School Model ◽  
Teachers Professional Development

Teacher induction has been an object of interest in teacher education and professional development, mostly as a result of the analysis of the difficulties faced and the coping strategies developed by newly qualified teachers. However, the specific mechanisms to facilitate teachers’ induction when being appointed by schools working under challenging contexts have been less explored. This study aims to explore the potential of a community-based school model named Schools as Learning Communities to induct new teachers and to help them embrace the school’s project. A single case study was conducted in a high-poverty school located in Barcelona (Spain). Data collection included observations and interviews with teachers and the school management team. Findings highlight two main features of the school model that facilitate teacher induction: the dialogic approach to teachers’ professional development and the participation of family and community members in the school, which operates as a pedagogical resource. Furthermore, our results reveal this model as a successful pathway for the new teachers to embrace the school mission and to become agents of transformation who contribute to the project’s sustainability. The study offers lessons on how to support the induction of teachers who join diverse schools serving students living in poverty.

scholarly journals Support for Newly Qualified Teachers Through Teacher Induction Programs – a Review of Reviews

2020 ◽  
pp. 49-70
Author(s):  
Lisbeth Lunde Frederiksen
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Teacher Induction ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Induction Programs ◽  
Teacher Resilience ◽  
Qualified Teachers ◽  
Teacher Induction Programs ◽  
Review Of Reviews

This article gives an overview – in the form of a “review of reviews” – of existing knowledge in the research on teacher induction programs in primary and secondary schools. The article is based on seven reviews. The article describes the various elements that can make up teacher induction programs in primary and secondary schools, and shows that such programs – with their various content and contexts – can contribute to the professionalization of teaching. This includes the development of insight, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Induction training can counteract burnout, strengthen teacher resilience and thereby facilitate continuing professional development and a firm foothold in the job as a teacher.

Professional learning communities of teachers: Israeli principals’ perceptions

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 658-674
Author(s):  
Orit Avidov-Ungar
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Teachers Professional Development ◽  
Principals Perceptions

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on professional learning communities (PLCs) run for and by teachers to achieve their ongoing professional development and greater pupil attainment. The paper examined principals’ perceptions of how such PLCs influence teachers, teacher learning and school processes, and their own involvement in PLCs operating in their schools.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 of 97 principals from three of the four educational districts participating in a pilot programme to achieve in-service teacher professional development through supported PLCs.FindingsMost of the participating principals considered PLCs to influence not only the teacher-leader, but also PLC members and other teaching staff and processes. Principals perceived PLCs as influencing pedagogical processes for both teachers and students, as well as staff leadership processes. Principals reported facilitating the operation of PLCs in their schools by providing the necessary conditions or participating in PLC meetings.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough nearly 20 per cent of principals involved in the pilot agreed to participate, it was not possible to ensure a representative sample. Self-selection bias cannot be ruled out. Most participants were interviewed individually, with a minority later interviewed as a group to obtain a deeper understanding. Thus, the research should be regarded as exploratory.Originality/valueThe study provides a detailed description of how principals perceive and engage with PLCs. Its findings are relevant to international efforts to understand and leverage teacher PLCs for the purposes of teachers’ professional development and pupil attainment.

scholarly journals What Do Teachers As Adult Learners Think About MOOCs? A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 491-502
Author(s):  
Rabia Vezne
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Learning Speed ◽  
Teachers Professional Development

The aim of this research was to understand and interpret the opinions of teachers as adult learners on MOOCs regarding the effect of MOOC on their personal and professional development, and their motivation to attend more MOOC.  The research is a qualitative study with a holistic single case study design. Data were collected by semi-structured questions via the Google Form. At the end of the research, conclusions emerged under three themes. The first one was that the effects of MOOC on teachers’ personal development are learning new things and gaining self-confidence. The second one was that the effects of MOOC on teachers’ professional development are improving teaching and communication skills, and having a different perspective. Finally, the reasons of teachers’ motivation to attend more MOOCs are that MOOCs are easy to reach, suitable for personal learning speed, and economic.

scholarly journals Professional Learning Communities Approach: Implications for Policy and Practice

2020 ◽  
pp. 181-200
Author(s):  
Osama Al Mahdi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning Community ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
Teachers Professional Development

Over the last decades researching and developing teachers‖ professional development frameworks and practices had underwent a paradigm shift. This shift was driven by the complexities of teaching and learning requirements, an increased necessity for reforming educational systems, and more need for accountability and quality outcomes (Vescio, Ross & Adams, 2007). The main feature of these new approaches is that they shift professional development beyond merely focusing on a teacher‖s simple attainment of knowledge and skills to a framework that requires teachers to deeply reflect on their own practices, to innovate new classroom pedagogy, and authentic understanding and expectations of student outcomes (Darling-Hammond & McLaughlin, 1995).These new approaches of teacher professional development include a variety of practitioner-based activities such as: peer observation and assessment, working cooperatively on shared projects such as curriculum development or strategy planning, engaging in lesson study groups, conducting action research, and participating in individually guided activities such as online distant learning or academic higher educational programs. When teachers engage in professional development activities that entail sharing questions, finding answers, experimenting practical actions and engaging in a productive dialogue, this may promote their sense of belonging as knowledge workers in their professional learning communities, and this would support them in achieving their learning and teaching goals which would reflect at the end on their students‖ knowledge, skills and values (Al-Mahdi, 2019a, Al-Mahdi, 2019b, Al-Mahdi & Al-Wadi, 2015). This chapter aims to explore professional learning community as an innovate approach in teachers‖ professional development and discuss possible ways for implementing it in Bahrain Teachers College, University of Bahrain. The following sections will focus on: defining professional learning community, characteristics of a professional learning community, leading professional learning community, international research on professional learning communities, professional learning communities research in GCC countries, and reflections on the educational context in Bahrain and implications for policy and practice.

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