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ERIC Number: ED578750
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 241
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-3551-4022-4
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Assessing the Factors Impacting Professional Learning for Teachers in Seventh-Day Adventist Schools: A Comparison of Millennials and Non-Millennials
Bayer, Betty L.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Andrews University
Problem and Purpose: Much research over several decades has established the importance of ongoing professional learning for teachers and has identified what effective professional learning should look like. Little research has been done, however, on the professional learning practices of teachers in faith-based schools, and few studies have focused on the learning needs of millennial teachers, those newest to the profession. This study explores the professional learning practices of educators in the Seventh-day Adventist School system in North America and the factors that impact those practices, with a special focus on millennial educators. Educational leaders can use the results of this study to improve the learning opportunities available for the teachers they are responsible for supporting. Method: A descriptive quantitative design was used to collect and analyze data from 749 surveys. The sample consisted of K-12 educators from across the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. Data was collected using a researcher-designed instrument which was administered through Survey Monkey™. SPSS™ was used for statistical analyses. Factors were identified using exploratory factor analysis, and both descriptive results and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the impact of these factors on the time spent and the number of types of professional learning that educators participate in. Findings: The study showed that there is strong commitment to ongoing professional learning in the Seventh-day Adventist school system. It is also clear, however, that traditional forms of learning predominate and educators in general do not spend the sustained time needed for lasting instructional improvement. The factors that predicted time spent were different for millennial and non-millennial teachers. In general, non-millennial teachers report higher satisfaction with professional learning opportunities than do millennials. Collaborative practice has the greatest impact on both time spent and variety of types of activities, but few non-millennials and even fewer millennials report opportunities for collaboration. Conclusions and Recommendations: The findings suggest that several areas need to be addressed in order to improve the professional learning experiences for educators in the system. Differentiated opportunities for learning, including the addition of non-traditional types, are needed to better meet the needs of all educators, especially millennials. More opportunities for collaboration among educators are needed, and ways of facilitating job-embedded learning need to be explored. Increased institutional support, including a willingness to explore new models, provide teacher leadership and collaboration opportunities, and consider policy changes that better reflect learning needs at various career stages, would increase teacher satisfaction with their learning opportunities and may, as a result, lead to improved instruction and increased student success. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A