ERIC Number: EJ1165272
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0263-5143
EISSN: N/A
The Impact of a Professional Development Model for a Mobilized Science Curriculum: A Case Study of Teacher Changes
Looi, Chee-Kit; Sun, Daner; Kim, Mi Song; Wen, Yun
Research in Science & Technological Education, v36 n1 p86-110 2018
Background and purpose: To date, there has been little research on the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) for delivering a mobile technology-supported science curriculum. To address this, a TPD model for a science curriculum supported by mobile technology was developed and evaluated in this paper. The study reported focuses on the establishment of the TPD model and exploration of its impact on teacher behaviors in the curriculum implementation. Sample, design, and methods: In the study, two representative science teachers' implementation of the science curriculum was presented together with an in-depth study of the TPD sessions. The data from the teacher-led PD working sessions, classroom observation and teacher interview were collected. Mixed methods and case study were used to analyze the teacher performance on the PD working sessions and on the curriculum implementation. Results: Our findings suggested that teachers benefited from the structured TPD which provided opportunities for sharing, extensive feedback, and reflection of the curriculum implementation. It showed that teachers had transformed questioning from traditional ways into constructivist-oriented patterns in the classroom. More student-centered activities were conducted and complemented with teachers' various scaffolds for learning. Analysis of learning artifacts attested to improvements in students' conceptual understanding of science. Conclusion: TPD refers to a continuing and dynamic system for PD which needs to be changed and elaborated based on teacher needs, school context and the problems and challenges encountered in the teaching practice. TPD development and teachers' growth in the belief and competences on the instruction constitute a mutual evolution process. Their evolution could guarantee the apt enactment and spread of the curriculum innovation to impact depth, to sustain and to spread.
Descriptors: Faculty Development, Telecommunications, Educational Technology, Handheld Devices, Technology Uses in Education, Science Instruction, Science Curriculum, Program Effectiveness, Observation, Interviews, Mixed Methods Research, Case Studies, Teaching Methods, Teaching Skills, Concept Formation, Foreign Countries, Active Learning, Elementary School Teachers, Questioning Techniques, Technology Integration, Teacher Student Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Singapore
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A