Addressing contradictions in teachers’ practice through professional learning: an activity theory perspective

ABSTRACT

This case study focuses on the professional learning of 38 K-9 teachers who engaged in a professional development (PD) programme in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through collaborative action research (CAR). Through the lens of CHAT or Cultural-Historical Activity Theory, the author examined what teachers were learning, the contextual factors that influenced their learning and classroom practice, and the outcomes of this PD initiative. The changing activity system of the teachers is described, as well as how they addressed contradictions in their practice. Addressing these contradictions resulted in an expansion of their object and professional growth. The study contributes to a growing body of research in teacher education which applies CHAT as a conceptual framework to understand teacher professional learning and how interactions among activity system components influence teachers’ development and practice.     

我国科学教育专业发展的现状及面临的困境透析

科学教育作为一个新兴专业,由于缺乏权威性的指导意见,在我国的发展面临诸多困境：专业建设缺乏规范化研究;课程体系、教学内容、教学方式陈旧落后;教学资源匮乏,师资队伍薄弱。针对存在的问题,借鉴美国的成功经验,科学教育专业发展应出台《科学教师专业标准》,改革课程体系、教学内容和教学方式,加强教学资源建设。     

Understanding the complexity of teacher interaction in a teacher professional learning community

In this study, we examine a professional learning community of primary school teachers developing a joint school-based curriculum for science and technology (S&T) education. Team meetings were observed over the course of one school year and the participating teachers and school head were interviewed. An essential factor in the team’s collaboration was its ability to achieve synthesis, that is, the extent to which the teachers were able to abstract from concrete experiences in S&T education in order to formulate and develop a shared vision and curriculum. They exchanged many examples and were able to create a shared idea highlighting critical elements in their approach to teaching this school subject. However, the teachers experienced difficulties in determining the level at which a school-based curriculum should be defined. The outcomes of this team’s collaboration are discussed in terms of leadership and the aims of the S&T innovation.     

STEM outreach activities: an approach to teachers’ professional development

Abstract

STEM outreach programmes in secondary schools are mediated by STEM teachers who are responsible for organising, implementing and evaluating the activities with a view to promoting STEM subjects. However, research investigating teachers’ STEM roles and professional development through participation in outreach activities is limited. This paper explores teachers’ views of STEM activities, how they understand their role as primary facilitators and the impact of their STEM engagement on their professional development. STEM outreach provides distinct opportunities for situated and dialogic learning. STEM teachers’ effectiveness in engaging students by demonstrating the importance and relevance of STEM subjects in the real world and engaging captivating STEM outreach partners not only supports students learning but also enhances their opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. Semi structured interviews were conducted with eleven teachers from six different schools in the West Midlands, United Kingdom. The data reveals STEM facilitators become the ‘face’ of STEM to their pupils. The expertise, knowledge and partnerships STEM facilitators develop, broadens their capacity to deliver teaching imbued with real world applications and improve students’ understanding of the range of new and upcoming careers available. Most importantly, participating in STEM outreach activities help teachers maintain and reinforce their own sense of identity as STEM professionals. Outreach activities provide opportunities for teachers to interact with leading scientists and obtain exposure to cutting-edge research.     

教师专业发展学校的功能定位与制度建设

教师专业发展学校作为实现教师教育一体化的重要载体,其功能发挥得如何直接影响高等师范教育改革能否回归基础教育这一问题。在高校实行评价制度创新、在中小学构建学习型组织应成为保证教师专业发展学校顺利运行的关键。     

试论高师教育类课程教学的三大理念

在高度强调教师专业发展和教师专业化的今天,高师教育类课程面临着凸显教师专业可持续发展教育功能的教学研究与改革要求。为了适应要求,高师教育类课程教学必需着眼于学生终身专业发展的潜能和后劲,树立以为学生奠定教师专业化基础为核心价值的教学理念;必需着眼于教师专业发展的素质,树立努力使学生全面获得对日后教育实践活动具有稳定而长效作用的元素的教学目标理念;必需着眼于学生的学习投入,树立促使学生全面发挥学习的能动性,让每个学生都成为充满勃勃生机的学习生命体的教学运作理念。     

The impact of peer collaboration on teachers’ practical knowledge

Due to changes in Dutch mathematics education, teachers are expected to use new teaching methods such as enquiry-based teaching. In this study, we investigate how teachers design, implement and evaluate new methods for statistics teaching for 7^th-graders during a professional development trajectory based on peer collaboration. We monitored teachers’ development in a network of four mathematics teachers from the same school. By using a mixed-methods approach in which we combined data from interviews, concept maps and classroom observations, we describe changes in teachers’ practical knowledge. We found how the nature of these changes highly depends on teachers’ personal concerns that emerge during the trajectory. Some teachers considered their concerns as challenges stimulating their learning, while other teachers experienced their concerns as a reason to fall back to previous teaching methods. Based on our results, we give some recommendations for organising teacher networks.     

美国科学教师专业发展标准及其启示

美国科学课程教师专业发展标准是美国科学课程教师培养的重要依据,其特点为:重视科学课程教师正确的科学观与探究能力的形成,为科学课程教师构建综合、完整的知识结构,倡导终身、连续、一体化的培养模式。我国应加快研制自己的科学课程教师专业发展标准,使我国科学课程教师专业发展体现终身性、综合性、探究性与创新性。     

教师教育一体化中的PDS模式

20世纪80年代以来,为实现教师教育一体化,许多国家(如美、英)的大学与中小学在教师教育上密切合作,收效颇丰。借鉴国外经验,我国教师教育中大学与中小学开展合作研究,可探索出一条新路。