Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Evaluating Action Research As A Model For School-Based Professional Development Of Secondary Mathematics Teachers In The Philippines, Florenda L. Gallos

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study documented a school-based professional development activity conducted in a secondary school in the Philippines where five secondary mathematics teachers and the head of the school participated in a program of action research. The effectiveness of action research as a form of professional development and the constraints in using this form of professional development in the Philippines were evaluated based on the changes on teachers in terms of pedagogical knowledge, practices and beliefs. Qualitative research techniques were used. The methodology included questionnaires, interviews, class observations and diaries. The results indicated that the involvement of the participants in the action …

Professional Development And Practice: A Study Of Early Childhood Teachers Of Mathematics, Wendy Hawthorne

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In the past twenty years there has been increased interest in the ways in which teachers construct their professional lives. It is no longer assumed that preservice education alone will enable teachers to meet the challenges of their teaching lives. Ongoing professional development is seen as an essential component of contemporary teachers' lives but remains a challenge for professional development planners and providers. The nature and extent of teachers' participation in professional development was a significant dimension of the investigation of professional development contained in this thesis. The research questions which formed the basis for the data collection in this …

The Influence Of Student Perceptions About School Experience On Non-University Bound Students' Motivation To Succeed, Caroline Mansfield

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In Australiari high schools today there. are increasingly greater numbers of students completing a final two years of post-compulsory secondary schooling Without the intention of progressing to a university tertiary education. Educators acknowledge that the comparative lack of motivation displayed by these students poses problems within the classroom and the educational system and most are concerned about how best to cater for the distinct and unique needs of this group of students. This thesis investigates the influence of student perceptions about school experience on Year 12 non-university bound students' motivation to succeed. The study focuses on the perceptions students hold …

Children's Services In Denmark : A Contextual Analysis And Critique, Teresa A. Harms

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The late 1990’s in Australia have seen major stresses in State and Federal systems of early years provision and have highlighted the need to develop an integrated approach to early years policy and provision to meet better the changing needs of Australian families. As an experienced Australian practitioner in the early years, the researcher decided to explore another country’s approach to early childhood provision and to contextualise her Australian experience from a fresh perspective. In Kandel’s (1933, 1955) terms, this is a classic area study rather than one which seeks to merely to compare and contrast.

Authentic Learning In Interactive Multimedia Environments, Janice A. Herrington

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The instructional technology community is in the midst of a philosophical shift from a behaviourist to a constructivist framework, a move that may begin to address the growing rift between formal school learning and real-life learning. One theory of learning which has the capacity to promote authentic learning is that of situated learning. The purpose of the study was to investigate the way students learn from an interactive multimedia package and learning environment based on a situated learning model. To do this, it was necessary to identify the critical characteristics of a situated learning model based on the extensive literature …

Pre-Primary Children's Progress And The School Development Plan, Elizabeth A. Moulin

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In recent years several policy changes have occurred in Western Australia regarding the provision of pre-compulsory education, particularly for children turning five. These changes have led to education of such children centred largely in full-time, on-site classes rather than in sessional, independent community centres, resulting in pre-primary education becoming mainstream school business. As such it is incorporated in the administrative, managerial and educational policies of the school including school development planning. The school development plan (SDP), a major tool of accountability within the school, provides a planning framework in selected priority areas in which methods of assessment and evaluation of …

The Leadership Roles Of The Child Care Centre Supervisor In Singapore, Winnie Tan

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was; (a) to describe the current situation of child care provision in Singapore; (b) to define the meaning of leadership and the responsibilities involved in effective leadership in a child care setting; and (c) to investigate and describe the leadership roles that child care centre supervisors need to perform in the day to day running of their centres from the perspective of the child care supervisors. A total of 15 supervisors from the private sector were interviewed in-depth. They were asked to describe all facets of their leadership roles in their centres. The results of …

Dramatic Role-Play As A Process Of Exploration With Adolescents : A Phenomenological Study, P. R. Wearne

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this research study is to describe the lived experience of adolescents with dramatic role-play as a process of exploration. The responses of the participants are compared with the proposed learning objectives of the researcher. A comparison is provided which occasionally reflects a difference in actual or perceived learning and expected learning. The process of exploration about self and society is undertaken by using dramatic role-play as a specific methodology of process drama. The current theories of 'drama education', 'process drama' and 'role-play' are discussed and evidenced through the drama experience of the research participants. Although generalisations are …

Teacher Attitudes To Approaches To Teacher Education In Adult Tesol, Paul Mercieca

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study looked closely at the attitudes of TESOL teachers to a range of approaches to teacher education, with particular emphasis on the role of classroom observation. The influence of pre- and in-service training and the school environment was probed through semi-structured interviews and confirmatory discussions. Participants for this qualitative study were practising TESOL teachers at the Centre for International English, Curtin University, Western Australia. The approach taken was to allow them, as far as possible, to identify issues in teacher education for themselves. At the same time, their words were used, where possible, to describe attitudes to these issues. …

A Model For The Development Of Teachers In A Remote Area Of Western Australia, Jim Heslop

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The purpose of this article is to describe the shortcomings of the preparation of teachers who are appointed to remote schools within the Ngaanyatjarra Lands district of Western Australia. The article also suggests a model for the development for teachers who are appointed to the region that will address the shortcomings.

Assessing Content-Related Validity And Internal-Consistency Reliability Of Tests Constructed By Seychellois Teachers, Justin Davis Valentin

Theses : Honours

Teachers are seldom trained to construct tests (Boothroyd, McMorris, & Pruzck, 1992; Wise, Lukin, & Roos, 1991). Yet, the use of teacher-made tests for assessing students is a common occurrence in schools. This study challenges the quality of tests constructed by teachers without measurement and testing training. A sample of tests (n = 15) constructed by Primary 5A mathematics teachers in the Seychelles was analysed. The teachers who submitted the tests have not completed a course in measurement and testing. However, results of these tests will be used to make important decisions about their students. The purpose of the study …

Wild Beasts And Other Curiosities: West Australian Research, Issues And Innovations In Early Childhood Education, Martyn Wild (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

Editorial Is it true that young children need to play more, that perceptual-motor programs don't work, or that schools can learn lessons from child care? Do you know how to turn children into 'greenies', help them express the wild beast within, or use computers to develop vital skills? If you're unsure, outraged, confused or curious, then this book is for you! Practitioners and academics in early childhood have written these papers for the Edith Cowan Memorial Conference for Early Childhood in 1996. The chapters are diverse in style and topic, but are linked by the authors' deep interest in the …

A Focus On Learning : Wuality In Teaching & Learning : The Proceedings Of The Teaching & Learning Forum, Edith Cowan University, Perth, February 1995, Laurie Summers (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

These papers represent the proceedings of the fourth Teaching and Learning Forum conducted in Perth from February 7-9, 1995. Curtin University hosted the first two Forums and we at Edith Cowan University the third and fourth. In 1996 the honour (and the hard work) transfers to Murdoch.

The Forum's objectives were:

• To bring together people in higher education who are interested in practical teaching issues (Lecturers, managers, administrators, students, support, general and technical staff).

• To share ideas, information and practices in a variety of mutually supportive, friendly and co-operative ways.

• To celebrate quality in teaching and learning …

Differential Outcomes Of Various Models Of Work Experience, Peter Sinclair

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In Western Australia an increasing number of secondary school students participate in work experience programs. Different models of work experience are becoming more common. The Ministry of. Education promotes the use of four such models. The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of work experience, as perceived by secondary school students in selected Government Schools, to see if there were any differences according to the model of work experience used. These perceptions were further examined to see if there was a significant difference in perceived outcomes according to other independent variables of student gender, year level, geographic …

Problem-Based Learning And Competency Development., C. S. Chappell, P. Hager

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Problem-based learning is an approach to professional education which has been used by a number of educational institutions involved in professional education both here and overseas. The most famous example in Australia is probably the medical course at the University of Newcastle. This paper argues that this initiative in professional education has within it characteristics which are sympathetic to many of the current moves in Australia to describe, and in some cases redefine, professional work. This process is part of a wider move in Australia to upgrade and improve the skills and abilities of the Australian workforce in the context …

Using The "Questionnaire On Teacher Interaction" In The Professional Development Of Teachers., Darrell Fisher, Barry Fraser, John Cresswell

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

For some time in Australia, the Schools Council of the National Board of Employment, Education. and Training has been concerned with issues concerning the quality of teaching as evidenced through its reports on Teacher Quality: An Issues Paper (1989) and Australia's Teachers: An Agenda for the Next Decade (1990). These reports and others highlight the need for teachers to examine continually what they do in their classrooms. Most recently, teacher quality and the need for continued professional development of teachers has been the subject of a ministerial statement (Beazley, 1993). This report notes how the impact of, and responsibility for, …

Beginning Teacher Education : Students' Conceptions Of Teaching And Approaches To Learning., Carol A. Christensen, David R. Massey, Peter J. Isaacs, John Synott

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Twenty preservice teachers were interviewed prior to commencement of their teacher education course to establish the conceptions of teaching and approaches to learning with which they entered the course. Students were categorised as surface, deep or achieving in their learning orientations (Biggs, 1987). Five conceptions of teaching were identified: the nurturing helper, authority and disciplinarian, shaper of children's lives, presenter of information and facilitator of thinking and learning. There was a consistent relationship between conceptions of learning and conceptions of teaching. Surface learners tended to see teaching as transmission of information. There were very few deep learners, however they tended …

Integrating Research Skills Development In Teacher Education, Terence Lovat, Margaret Davies, Ronald Plotnikoff

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

For most of this century, and increasingly in modern times, teacher educators have been impelled to consider ways in which a greater level of reflectivity, especially through enhancing research skills development, might be integrated into the teacher education program. The paper reviews the recent history of such attempts, pointing to the relative paucity of experimentation designed to implement such components in teacher education. It then describes a longitudinal study designed to effect, and evaluate the effects of, one program of research skills integration in preservice teacher education.

Reflection, Rhetoric Or Reality : A Case Study In Preservice Teacher Education, Denis Mclaughlin, Pam Hanifin

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Over the last decade, the term 'reflection', has reemerged as a central focus surrounding the issue of providing a practical, technical oriented teacher preparation program, as opposed to a liberal, socially oriented, type education (Richardson, 1990). Whilst there has been much support for the image of the teacher as a reflective professional (Schon, 1983), there appears to be no definitive' description as to what constitutes reflective practice, or scholarly consensus as to the ways and means by which teacher educators might encourage its development. It has been described as "difficult" (Wildman & Niles, 1987), "fuzzy" (Tom, 1987), "problematic" (Ross, 1989), …

Restructuring Teacher Education, Shirley Grundy, Gordon Stanley

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

As part of the process of developing a four year Bachelor of Education in September 1994, Edith Cowan University conducted a public seminar entitled ''Restructuring Teacher Education". The invited speakers were Dr Shirley Grundy (Murdoch University), Professor Bob Meyenn (Charles Sturt University), Sandra Milligan (Ashenden Milligan Pty Ltd), Professor Paige Porter (University of Western Australia), Greg Robson (Education Department of Western Australia and Professor Gordon Stanley (Education Policy and Coordination Bureau). Two of the presentations are published here to inform others engaged in the tasks of restructuring teacher education.

Teaching Language To Adults. Mixed Ability Teaching : Meeting Learners' Needs., E. J. Mcgilp

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Ainslie, Susan. (1994) Mixed ability teaching : meeting learners' needs. Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research, London.

Teaching English Communicatively In China - Educating Teachers Is Not Enough., Bernard Hird

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The extent to which the communicative language teaching approach is a relevant and viable methodology for English language teachers to use in China is an issue that has generated considerable interest in recent years. The conclusions drawn in this article are based on experiences of teaching in an in-service course for senior middle-school teachers of English in Hangzhou, China. The paper suggests that the communicative approach does have a role in English language teaching in China but that aspects of the approach need to be applied selectively and with caution. Some of the reasons for this stem from the nature …

Technology In Teacher Education : Using Multimedia To Enhance The Design And Make Processes., Brian Ferry, Christine Brown

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This paper reports on the use of a multimedia journal to enhance a subject in technology education. The subject was delivered to preservice teachers studying to be primary school teachers. The multimedia journal was used to assist in the delivery of the subject and to record the progress made by students. It is argued that multimedia used in this manner complements and extends upon the teaching program and becomes an integral part of the learning process

The Practicum In Tafe Teacher Education : The Challenge Of Contextual Diversity., Ralph Blunden

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The Hawthorn Institute of Education has had a long tradition of training Technical and Further Education (henceforth, 'TAFE') teachers. The TAFE context in general (and the practicum context in TAFE colleges in particular) gives rise to many difficulties and challenges which do not beset the pre-service education of secondary teachers (at least not to the same degree). In this paper, after briefly sketching the historical context of TAFE and TAFE teacher preparation, attention is drawn to the diversity of TAFE in Victoria. Following this, some examples of· practicum supervision situations are provided to illustrate how they differ from the standard …

Development Of A Constructivist Model For Teacher Inservice., Brian Hand, David F. Treagust

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

In this paper, we consider a model for teacher inservice that is informed by constructlvlsm. Initially, we consider the criteria for identifying conceptual change, briefly examine research on the roles which teachers engage in when implementing innovations, and describing different knowledge bases needed m usmg teaching approaches informed by constructivist referents. Secondly, we describe an inservice programme for science teachers in one high school, and thirdly show how a five-stage model to introduce teaching/learning approaches informed by constructivism was developed.

Public Speaking For Graduate Student Reachers In The Diploma Of Education., D. M. Murison Travers

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Graduate student teachers in the Diploma of Education took part in a 10 hour elective on speaking in groups, aimed at helping those who were communication apprehensive or shy to overcome their fears. Confident speakers also took part, to provide modelling and assistance, and to learn ways of teaching oral communication in school. McCroskey's (1977) Verbal Activity Scale (VAS) and Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA) were used with a questionnaire evaluating the programme (EvaIProg) to compare the reactions of the more and less confident speakers to the activities. The less confident speakers claimed to benefit from the programme, which …

Four Book Reviews, Carlisle Sheridan, Ann Crittenden, Bruce Haynes, M. Wild, A. M. Blackmore

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Fox, Mem. (1993) Radical reflections : passionate opinions on teaching, learning, and living. Sydney, Harcourt Brace.

Ingvarson, L, and Chadbourne, R (Editors) (1994) Valuing teachers' work : new directions in teacher appraisal. Camberwell, Vic : Australian Council for Educational Research.

Shears, L. (Editor) (1995) Computers and schools. Camberwell, Vic : ACER.

Maltby, F., Gage, N. L. & Berliner, D. (1995) Educational psychology : an Australian and New Zealand perspective. Brisbane : John Wiley.

T.E.E. English Scores And Performance On Reading And Writing Tasks By First Year Education Students, Tracy Jacobs

Theses : Honours

This study examined the literacy achievement of first year Bachelor of Arts (Primary Education) students at the Mount Lawley Campus of the Edith Cowan University. It had been suggested that these students possessed inadequate levels of literacy to function as competent teachers. Students are assumed to have adequate literacy ability for the Bachelor of Arts course, and thus the teaching profession, when they receive a pass mark in their T.E.E. English or English Literature examination. This study examined the correlation between the T.E.E. English score and the scores the students received on three other instruments measuring aspects of literacy. The …

The Collaborating Teacher As Co-Educator In Teacher Education., Hans Hulshof, Nico Verloop

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

In this article a report will be given on a research project of the Teacher Education Department of Leiden University, The Netherlands. The research focuses on the role of the collaborating / cooperating teacher in the one year postgraduate teacher training course which is followed by candidates having their masters in a variety of subjects.

The Development And Use In A Study Of An Instrument To Measure Teacher's Perceptions Of Their Effectiveness In Teaching Catholic Moral Principles To Middle And Upper Secondary Students, Peter Cassidy

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this study was to design an instrument and to use it in a study to measure teachers' perceptions of their effectiveness in teaching Catholic moral principles to middle and upper secondary students. As well, a final version of the instrument based on the results of the study and respondent feedback was to be developed. The study was justified on the following grounds: - less than half of Western Australia's Catholic secondary teachers of Religious Education are qualified to teach Religious Education. - Research findings (Fahy, 1980; Flynn, 1985; Angus, 1988) cast doubt on the effectiveness of moral …