Improving the learning of newly qualified teachers in the induction year

Newly qualified teachers of mathematics and science are a precious resource and it important that they are provided with appropriate support and challenge during their first year in post. This study examines the developing thinking and practice of a group of such teachers in England and the influence of their mentors within the workplace context of the school. We argue that thinking and practice is restricted by the concern to ‘fit in’, by the belief that behaviour management should be addressed before teaching can be developed and by a lack of attention to the development of pedagogical thinking. We conclude that there is a need to change the beliefs and practices of induction mentors and develop their skills in discussing pedagogical ideas. This is most likely to be achieved within a school‐wide culture of continuing professional learning.     

Induction: the experiences of newly qualified science teachers

This research focused on the induction year entitlement in England, with particular reference to timetable, formal assessment meetings, lesson observations and provision of an induction tutor and a named external contact. Pooled data from a postal questionnaire, with a 60% response rate (n = 92), were analysed from three consecutive cohorts of newly qualified science teachers (2003–2006). Focus group interviews and telephone interviews with 20 newly qualified teachers and 20 induction tutors were also used to collect data. The majority of the sample of newly qualified teachers received the main entitlements in their induction year but serious concerns persist for a significant minority. Implications for the induction of all newly qualified teachers, irrespective of their subject area, school and policy‐makers, are identified.     

Induction needs of a group of teachers at different career stages in a school in the Republic of Ireland: Challenges and expectations

This study examines the induction needs of a group of teachers at different career stages working in a socially disadvantaged secondary school in the Republic of Ireland. 44 teachers participated in the study, 11 of whom were student teachers, 11 of whom were newly qualified teachers and 22 of whom were experienced teachers returning to the school after an extended career break (4) or new to the school having previously worked in a different school (18). Through the use of both quantitative and qualitative techniques, including 44 questionnaires and nine semi-structured interviews, this study examines how a school-based induction programme can best accommodate the needs of a diverse group of teachers at different career stages.     

提高农远教师培训有效性若干问题的绩效分析

为更好地提高农远工程教师培训项目的有效性,应以绩效观念为基础,将绩效管理而不是绩效评估贯穿项目始终;将绩效管理过程模式和绩效技术过程模式、六西格玛法的理念整合,提高项目系统绩效;通过建立学习型组织使农远工程教师培训项目得以延续,促进项目系统绩效的维持。     

A study of novice teachers: Challenges and supports in the first years

In recent years, it has been reported that an alarming number of teachers are leaving the profession in the first three years after graduation from a pre-service program. This phenomenon is common in North America and it is essential that educators identify the challenges surrounding new teachers and provide supports to assist them. The vast majority of literature surrounding new teacher induction and mentorship support is void of the Canadian context and the novice teacher voice. In this study, Ontario graduates from a two year pre-service program were surveyed and 5 teachers were selected for case studies. Participants found administrative leadership, refining the mentorship selection process, hiring practices, and district-sponsored supports as positive factors necessary for them to grow into the profession.     

贵州省高校教师职业生涯发展调查分析

以职业生涯发展的理论为基石,对贵州省高校教师职业发展现状进行调查分析,探讨贵州省高校教师职业生涯发展中存在的主要问题,为贵州省高校教师职业生涯发展进行有效管理和贵州省高校开展教师职业生涯管理提供依据。     

Diary-based strategy assessment and its relationship to performance in a group of trainee teachers

Our work is based on the study of learning strategies used by a group of trainee teachers in a real learning situation, and how this use of strategies influences the results of the learning process. We use a diary as a tool to assess the learning strategies and compare the results obtained with those using an inventory. Our findings indicate that the deliberate use of strategies (measured by diaries) has a positive effect on knowledge acquisition, with the qualitative analysis method of the verbal protocols noted in the diaries proving more valuable than the use of traditional inventories.     

The impact of leadership and management on the construction of professional identity in school learning mentors

This paper explores the perceptions of school learning mentors with respect to their professional development and emerging professional identity. Although tentative, the emergence of two distinct professional identities is reported in this study: first, an instrumental technical identity characterized by compliance; and second, a creative professional identity characterized by an active involvement in the creation of one’s own professionality. Emerging differences in identity appear to be influenced by feelings of security in school learning mentors’ role definition and sense of purpose and by the power differential they perceive between themselves and qualified teaching staff. The findings have implications for the present workforce remodelling agenda in England and Wales, intended, in part, to facilitate the work of teachers via greater professionalization of learning support assistants. It is suggested that the leadership and management of schools hosting learning mentors and other learning support assistants should further consider their approach to the professionality of this important group of workers if frustrated identity claims, dissatisfaction, poor morale and their exit from the education service is to be avoided.     

新时期高职高专院校系部学生管理体系的构想

新形势下,高职高专院校学生管理工作面临许多新情况、新问题。以知识型高技能人才培养为培养目标的高职教育对高职院校学生管理工作又提出了新要求。笔者就如何以学生为本,抓规范管理,促人才培养为主线,对新时期高职高专院校学生管理体系提出了一些构想。     

学习型城市创建中宁波成人非学历教育发展研究

学习型城市创建需要成熟的成人非学历教育培训市场,本文在分析了我国成人非学历教育培训现状和宁波市成人非学历教育存在问题的基础上,从目标定位、政府功能、办学资源整合、行业协会作用发挥及政策法规制定等五个方面对宁波市成人非学历教育发展规划提出了相应的建议。     

Validation of a 'spurning scale' for teachers: the Chinese sample

The present study represents our continuing effort to validate a 'spurning scale' for teachers, based on a model of spurned helpers' reactions. Three approaches were used to examine the construct validity of the scale: the spurning scores of teachers working with more achieving students versus the scores of teachers teaching less achieving students; the relationships between the spurning scores and job satisfaction and turnover scores; and the relationships between the spurning scores and scores indicative of stress arising from interactions with one's students, and with one's supervisor. Serving teachers in Guangzhou (China) responded to a questionnaire containing the variables of interests. Overall, the results provided further evidence for the validity of the scale.     

Examining the development of a teacher learning community: The case of a video club

Learning communities have become a widespread model for teacher development. However, simply bringing teachers together does not ensure community development. This study offers a framework for the development of a teacher learning community in a video club. Qualitative coding of video data resulted in characterizing the evolution of the video club group as they collaboratively explored issues of teaching and learning that arose in each other’s classrooms. The relationship between dimensions of the framework and how development on one feature interacts with development on another is discussed. The results inform the design of video-based learning environments for examining teaching practice.     

新课改背景下高师中文教育的思考

基础教育课程改革的进行不仅给广大中小学教师带来新的挑战与机遇,对高等师范教育也带来新的冲击与要求。本文在新课改课程背景下审视了高师中文专业教育的现状,在此基础上提出：在培养未来语文教师的过程中,高等师范院校中文教育应该调整专业知识结构,拓展学生的知识范围,针对未来工作对象,培养师范生的多种能力。     

Teachers’ sanction in the classroom: Effect of age,experience, gender and academic context

The moral judgement of sanction in teaching and disciplinary practices was studied in a group of 222 teachers to determine the factors that affect sanction in the classroom. Factors studied included pupils' intent, consequences, recidivism, pupils' academic level, and family stability in two contexts: discipline and schoolwork. Results showed the significant effects of these factors for each context. Age of teachers, gender and teaching level (primary or secondary school) were also investigated in the judgement of sanction. Results showed a significant main effect of age, and specific differences in the moral algebra of teachers according to gender and teaching level.     

Teaching in the Yukon: Exploring teachers’ efficacy beliefs,stress, and job satisfaction in a remote setting

This article presents a mixed methods examination of teachers’ job beliefs in the Yukon Territory in northern Canada. In Study 1 we used questionnaires to examine job beliefs for 221 teachers from the Yukon and western Canada. Teachers’ self- and collective efficacy and workload stress were lower for Yukon teachers, but levels of overall stress and satisfaction were similar across settings. In Study 2 we conducted interviews to examine how geographical, community, and cultural factors were related to Yukon teachers’ job beliefs. Results showed that job stress and job satisfaction were influenced by physical and human geography, level of connection with the community, and by the community's cultural transitions. The findings highlight the influence of cultural and community factors on teachers’ working lives.     

Challenges of applying a student-centered approach to learning in the context of education in Kyrgyzstan

The challenge of maximizing student learning has been paramount in many societies. This issue has become especially salient in the context of drastic social and political changes that have taken place in countries such as Kyrgyzstan. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, teachers and students are confronted with new ways of thinking, which are challenging their understanding of how to promote efficient learning. In this paper, the challenges of applying and developing a new approach to learning, the student-centered approach, will be discussed within the framework of a Normative Theory of Social Change.     

Mathematics teachers’ “learning to notice” in the context of a video club

This study examines changes in teachers’ thinking as they participated in a video club designed to help them learn to notice and interpret students’ mathematical thinking. First, we investigate changes in teachers’ talk about classroom video segments before and after participation in the video club. Second, we identify three paths along which teachers learned to notice students’ mathematical thinking in this context: Direct, Cyclical, and Incremental. Finally, we explore ways the video club context influenced teacher learning. Understanding different forms of teacher learning provides insight for research on teacher cognition and may inform the design of video-based professional development.     

理想与现实：贵州普通高校教师队伍建设研究报告

西部大开发,发展民族地区的经济需要把沉重的劳动力负担转换为强大的人力资源优势,其关键在于发展高等教育,特别是高等教育教师队伍建设更是值得关注。提升高等教育竞争力,建设高素质的高校教师队伍,是当前高等教育需要思考的问题。透视贵州省普通高校教师队伍建设的现状及存在的问题,提出应对策略,为我省高等教育的进一步发展提供了具体的政策性建议。     

Motivating Teachers to Enact Free-Choice Project-Based Learning in Science and Technology (PBLSAT): Effects of a Professional Development Model

We investigated the effects of a long-term, continuous professional development (CPD) model, designed to support teachers to enact Project-Based Learning (PBLSAT). How do novice PBLSAT teachers view their acquisition of PBLSAT skills and how do expert PBLSAT teachers, who enacted the program 5–7 years, perceive the program? Novice teachers evaluated that they acquired the relevant skills but also expressed worries about enacting the program, due to potential difficulties for teachers. Nonetheless, the teachers enacted the program and identified unforeseen benefits for themselves and their students. We suggest that the CPD model helps teachers develop a sense of personal ownership and customization for the program, through multi-staged support to integrate student free-choice PBL into the formal science curriculum.