ERIC Number: EJ1072438
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1941-5257
EISSN: N/A
School-Based Professional Development in a Developing Context: Lessons Learnt from a Case Study in Zambia
Haßler, Björn; Hennessy, Sara; Cross, Andrew; Chileshe, Eness; Machiko, Brian
Professional Development in Education, v41 n5 p806-825 2015
This paper reports on the development and outcomes of the second phase of OER4Schools, a school-based professional development programme supporting interactive forms of subject teaching in conjunction with Open Educational Resources (OER) and technology in Zambian primary schools. We worked with partners to identify the needs of school-based continuing professional development adapted to the local context; the programme was based on participatory, collaborative and inquiry-based pedagogies for both classroom learning and teacher development. We worked over a one-year period with four experienced teachers in two basic (primary) schools serving disadvantaged communities. Data were collected from observations, interviews, surveys, lesson planning/review meetings and team workshops. All participants integrated OER and technology into mathematics and science lessons and developed more interactive practices, including collaborative learning. Professional dialogue, quality conversations, reflective practice, cultural sensitivity, peer learning and cooperation were pivotal mechanisms through which teachers shifted their focus from teaching (and teacher exposition) to student learning. Seeing students as capable individuals, teachers raised their expectations and developed insight into interactive practices such as group work, providing meaningful opportunities for student collaboration and active learning by all.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Educational Resources, Elementary Education, Continuing Education, Faculty Development, Needs Assessment, Active Learning, Inquiry, Experienced Teachers, Disadvantaged Environment, Observation, Interviews, Lesson Plans, Meetings, Teacher Workshops, Open Source Technology, Technology Integration, Context Effect, Instructional Effectiveness, Teaching Methods, Educational Practices, Educational Strategies, Classroom Techniques, Program Implementation, School Support, Interpersonal Communication, Interpersonal Competence, Peer Teaching, Surveys
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Zambia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A