The purpose of this study is to determine if teachers perceive evaluation as providing the motivation and feedback to change classroom practices in a context where teacher evaluation carries varied stakes for tenured versus untenured teachers. This mixed methods case study of four high schools in a single district in North Carolina uses survey and interview data collected from teachers in the 2016–2017 school year to explore teacher perceptions and examine differences between career (tenured) and probationary (untenured) teachers. A conceptual framework is developed utilizing research on how teachers changed practice based on other accountability initiatives. The overall sample of teachers did not perceive the evaluation policy to be high stakes or impacting their practice; however, there were statistically significant differences between the perceptions of tenured teachers and untenured teachers on the survey. Interview statements supported the quantitative findings. The results highlight a need for a better understanding of how evaluation policies may influence teacher practice, particularly among those who have limited career protections, including beginning teachers who lack tenure.

[pt] As tecnologias digitais estão promovendo várias transformações na sociedade, mas na educação essas ferramentas não ressignificaram as práticas pedagógicas. Este estudo entende as tecnologias digitais como artefatos culturais imersos nos nossos hábitos, costumes e crenças. A pesquisa visa compreender a perspectiva dos docentes sobre as tecnologias digitais a partir de um mergulho nas suas crenças pedagógicas, em particular a crença de autoeficácia computacional docente. O estudo quantitativo e qualitativo se desenvolveu em duas partes: entrevistas de 64 professores em 8 escolas públicas de ensino fundamental do Município do Rio de Janeiro, entre 2014-2016. E em 2018 ocorreram dois grupos focais em duas escolas selecionadas para prosseguir o estudo porque os docentes apresentaram percepções da tecnologia próximo de artefato cultural. Os resultados das entrevistas demonstraram que a maioria dos docentes (63) utilizam as tecnologias no âmbito pessoal, mas quando verificamos o ambiente escolar esse grupo diminuiu para 47. E apenas 17 destes conseguiram modificar suas práticas pedagógicas usando as TIC. A experiência direta foi a fonte de informação da autoeficácia mais relevante. Na análise dos grupos focais, novamente a experiência direta se destaca, junto com a persuasão social e a preocupação com o aluno (variável contextual). Ao final do estudo nota-se que a autoeficácia computacional docente não representa uma confiança contínua, muito pelo contrário é influenciada por outros fatores e por isso está em constante transformação. Para pesquisas futuras o aprofundamento do conhecimento sobre as crenças de autoeficácia com foco nas TIC é imprescindível, principalmente, a sua relação com outras incógnitas. / [en] Digital technologies are promoting various transformations in society, but in education these tools did not re-signify pedagogical practices. This study understands digital technologies as cultural artifacts immersed in our habits, customs and beliefs. The research aims to understand the perspective of teachers on digital technologies from a dip in their pedagogical beliefs, in particular the belief of teacher computational self-efficacy. The quantitative and qualitative study was developed in two parts: interviews of 64 teachers in 8 public elementary schools of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, between 2014-2016. And in 2018 two focus groups took place in two schools selected to continue the study because teachers presented perceptions of the near-technology of cultural artifact. The results of the interviews showed that most of the teachers (63) use the technologies in the personal scope, but when we verified the school environment this group decreased to 47. And only 17 of these managed to modify their pedagogical practices using the TIC. Direct experience was the most relevant source of self-efficacy information. In the analysis of focus groups, again direct experience stands out, along with social persuasion and concern with the student (contextual variable). At the end of the study it is noticed that the teacher s computational self-efficacy does not represent a continuous trust, on the contrary it is influenced by other factors and therefore is in constant transformation. For future research, the deepening of the knowledge about the beliefs of self-efficacy with a focus on the TIC is essential, mainly, its relation with other unknowns.

This study was an investigation of Japanese high school teachers' (N=139) beliefs and practices regarding communicative language teaching (CLT). Four research questions were posited concerning the beliefs that Japanese high school teachers hold regarding CLT, how Japanese high school teachers use CLT in the classroom, how Japanese teachers' beliefs and practices differ between academic and vocational high schools, and how the beliefs of Japanese high school teachers, their classroom practices, their learning experience, pre- and in-service training, perceived teaching efficacy, and contextual factors relate to and influence each other regarding the use of CLT. In order to provide answers to these questions, a survey, classroom observations, and interviews were conducted. Before conducting the quantitative analyses, the questionnaire data were analyzed using the Rasch rating-scale model to confirm the validity and reliability of the questionnaire and to transform the raw scores into equal interval measures. Regarding the first and second research questions, the descriptive statistics showed that despite holding positive beliefs about CLT, the respondents to the survey did not frequently use communicative activities. With respect to the third research question, a MANOVA indicated that the types of schools (academic and vocational) did not significantly influence the survey respondents' beliefs and practices regarding CLT. Concerning the fourth research question, the Pearson correlation coefficients showed relatively strong correlations between (a) Classroom Practices and Student-related Communicative Conditions (r = .56) and (b) L2 Self-confidence and CLT Self-efficacy (r = .55). Also, the best fitting path model indicated that (a) Student-related Communicative Conditions impacted Classroom Practices, (b) Positive CLT Beliefs indirectly influenced Classroom Practices via CLT Self-efficacy, and (c) Exam-related Expectations affected most of the indicator variables and Classroom Practices. Related to this, qualitative results indicated that the respondents' learning experience, in-service training, and contextual factors influenced their beliefs and practices. / CITE/Language Arts

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges affecting teachers’ classroom assessment practices and to explore how these challenges influence effective teaching and learning. The study was qualitative in nature and employed an instrumental case study approach. Semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analyses were used in the investigation. The study utilized the conceptual framework based on the model suggested by Hargreaves, Earl and Schmidt (2002). The model comprised four perspectives – technological, cultural, political and postmodern, with the intention of accounting for teachers’ assessment practices. Teachers from four different schools in North West Province were interviewed and observed. The data collected through the observations and interviews allowed me to map out the different challenges encountered by teachers in their classroom assessment practices. I also analysed documents that teachers used in conducting assessment. Document analysis was used to triangulate the information collected through observations and interviews. Textual data was analysed using content analysis. The teachers’ narratives varied according to their teaching experience and background within the diverse contexts of their particular school environments. Major challenges that emanated from this study were policy interpretation, overcrowding, support, parental involvement, moderation mechanisms (internal and external), assessment planning, implementation and communication as well as lack of resources. In order to address these challenges, teachers relied on cluster meetings, their colleagues and mostly their personal experiences. The study also revealed that teachers’ understanding and practices of classroom assessment are influenced by their social and educational context. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

教師的專業發展是提昇教師品質的關鍵,它包含職前的師資教育以及在職的教師進修。在臺灣,為了倡導英文教師的終身學習,在職英語教學碩士專班在民國八十八年成立。 本研究旨在探討在職英語教學碩士班對高中英文老師的影響。研究方法包含問卷,訪談及教室觀察。問卷調查部分,所使用的問卷是研究者根據文獻及三所在職英語教學碩士專班課程內容所編製的,目的在於瞭解進修教師對於在職英語教學碩士專班對他們的專業態度,專業知能及教室實務影響的自我認知。問卷調查採全國普查,有九十八所學校回函,有效問卷為一百零九份。教室觀察的部分則對兩組教師的教學進行觀察、錄影、分析及比較。這兩組教師來自同一所高中,第一組的兩位教師有在職英語教學碩士班進修的經驗,另一組的兩位教師則無。 本研究的重要發現為： 1. 在專業態度方面,在職英語教學碩士班增強了進修教師嚐試新教學法的動機, 　提高了他們的專業自信及教學熱忱,並增強了他們參與進修活動的動機。 2. 在專業知能方面,進修教師在本身的讀寫能力及語法、構詞及言談分析等語言 　知識獲益最多。 3. 在教室實務方面,專業知能的充實非常有助於進修教師應用新的教學技巧於字 　彙、語法、閱讀和寫作的教學，並有助於他們採用更多樣的教學資源及材料。 4. 運用進修所得知識於教學中讓具有在職英語教學碩士班進修經驗的教師在教 學上和不具此經驗的教師有所不同。 此研究結果對進修在職英語教學碩士班與改進英文教學方式之間的關係具有豐富啟示,是值得投注更多關注與研究的領域。 關鍵字: 在職進修　　研究所　　高中英文老師　　專業態度　　專業知能 　　　　教室實務 / Teachers’ professional development is the key to teacher quality. It encompasses pre-service teacher education and in-service teacher training. In Taiwan, in an effort to promote English teachers’ continual learning, in-service English teaching graduate programs were started in 1999 in place of what was called "Forty-Credit Program". This study aims to investigate the influence of the in-service English teaching graduate programs on senior high school English teachers. Three methods, questionnaire survey, interview, and classroom observation, were used. In the part of questionnaire survey, a questionnaire was designed to elicit participants’ self-perceptions of the influence the in-service English teaching graduate programs have on their professional attitudes, professional knowledge and classroom practice. Then, a general survey was conducted island-wide. Ninety-eight schools responded with 109 valid questionnaires. Follow-up phone interviews were conducted with seven willing respondents to further explore how they apply their new knowledge to their teaching. Regarding the classroom observation, two groups of English teachers from the same school participated in this part of study. In the first group were two teachers with the in-service English teaching graduate program experience while in the second group were two teachers without the experience. The teaching of one lesson conducted by the four teachers were observed, video-taped, analyzed, and compared. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with each teacher after the observational data were collected. The purpose of the interview was to know the reasons why they adopted current ways of teaching. This study has the following important findings. Firstly, in terms of professional attitudes, the in-service programs affect participants most in their motivation to try out new teaching methods, professional confidence, enthusiasm for English teaching and motivation to partake in in-service training activities. Secondly, in the aspect of knowledge about the English language, participants benefit from the programs the most in their own reading and writing ability as well as in knowledge of syntax, morphology, and discourse analysis. Thirdly, with regard to classroom practice, the enrichment of professional knowledge helps a lot in participants' application of new techniques to their instruction of vocabulary, grammatical structure, reading and writing. It also contributes to participants’ use of varieties of learning resources and materials. Lastly, the application of the new knowledge leads to the differences between teachers who have the in-service English teaching graduate program experience and those who do not. These findings have rich implications for the relationship between in-service English teaching graduate programs and the improvement of English teaching practice of senior high school English teachers, an area well worth more attention and research. Key words: in-service graduate programs senior high school English teachers professional attitudes professional knowledge classroom practice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges affecting teachers’ classroom assessment practices and to explore how these challenges influence effective teaching and learning. The study was qualitative in nature and employed an instrumental case study approach. Semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analyses were used in the investigation. The study utilized the conceptual framework based on the model suggested by Hargreaves, Earl and Schmidt (2002). The model comprised four perspectives – technological, cultural, political and postmodern, with the intention of accounting for teachers’ assessment practices. Teachers from four different schools in North West Province were interviewed and observed. The data collected through the observations and interviews allowed me to map out the different challenges encountered by teachers in their classroom assessment practices. I also analysed documents that teachers used in conducting assessment. Document analysis was used to triangulate the information collected through observations and interviews. Textual data was analysed using content analysis. The teachers’ narratives varied according to their teaching experience and background within the diverse contexts of their particular school environments. Major challenges that emanated from this study were policy interpretation, overcrowding, support, parental involvement, moderation mechanisms (internal and external), assessment planning, implementation and communication as well as lack of resources. In order to address these challenges, teachers relied on cluster meetings, their colleagues and mostly their personal experiences. The study also revealed that teachers’ understanding and practices of classroom assessment are influenced by their social and educational context. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

[pt] Momentos de formação continuada para o uso pedagógico das Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação (TIC) têm por objetivo promover a integração do uso das TIC nas práticas pedagógicas. Com o intuito de contribuir para a análise dos resultados alcançados por esses momentos de formação, este trabalho estudou a relação entre a participação do professor nesses momentos e as suas práticas com TIC. Investigamos a presença das tecnologias nos momentos de formação e analisamos as políticas públicas de disseminação das TIC nas escolas. Paralelamente, realizamos uma pesquisa quantitativa com o objetivo de estudar a correlação entre as variáveis latentes formação específica em TIC e uso pedagógico de TIC pelos professores com os dados da TIC Educação 2014. Para atribuirmos uma medida a essas variáveis latentes, construímos quatro escalas utilizando a Teoria de Resposta ao Item (TRI). Duas escalas de formação, uma que considera os momentos institucionalizados e outra os informais dos quais os professores participaram; e duas escalas de uso, uma considerando as atividades com os alunos e outra as ações de preparação de aula. Para explicar a variável dependente uso pedagógico de TIC, construímos um modelo de regressão linear considerando como variáveis explicativas: as variáveis de formação específica em TIC e as variáveis de controle. Os resultados principais indicam que o uso pedagógico de TIC (Atividade e Preparação) é influenciado positivamente pela formação específica em TIC Institucionalizada e Informal, disciplina específica em TIC na graduação, renda mensal familiar e titulação, negativamente pela idade, e não é influenciado por curso específico em TIC, sexo e cor/raça. / [en] Moments of professional training for the pedagogical use of information and communication technologies (ICT) aim to promote the integration of the use of ICT in pedagogical practices. In order to contribute to the analysis of results achieved by these training moments, this dissertation presents a study on the relationship between teacher s participation in these moments and his practices with ICT. We investigate the presence of technology in formation and we analyzed public policies of dissemination of ICT in schools. Meanwhile, we conducted a quantitative research to study the correlation between those latent variables: specific training in ICT and used ICT pedagogy on the TIC Educação 2014 data basis. To assign a measure to latent variables, we constructed four scales using the Item Response Theory (IRT). Two of them are training scales: the first one considers the institutionalized moments, while the second one takes the informative information of the assistant teachers into account. The other two are scales of use, one considering the activities with students and the other the actions of preparing classes. In order to explain the dependent variable use of ICT for pedagogy, we composed a linear regression model including as explanatory variables: the specific training variables in ICT and the control variables. The main results indicate that the pedagogical use of ICT is positively influenced by institutionalized and informal training, specific subjects in undergraduate school, family income and academic degree. However, they also show that the pedagogical use is negatively influenced by age, and is not influenced by any specific course, gender and skin colour/race.

No description available.

The National Professional Diploma in Education is an in-service programme for classroom-based educators who have less than three years of professional training. The programme seeks to create a pathway to qualified teacher status in ways that will impact positively on classroom practice, prepare teacher-learners for the implementation of the new curriculum and provide a sufficiently rigorous foundation for further study. This evaluation adopted a fourth generation evaluation approach characterised by extensive engagement with programme stakeholders. Chapter 2 outlines an epistemological and philosophical framework of reference whilst Chapters 3 and 4 explore learning and teaching strategies and management and costing issues. The findings of these investigations lead to the recommendations made in Chapter 5. It is felt that the Unisa NPDE meets many of the goals of the programme, but further research is needed into the impact on classroom practice and into the management of the decentralised learner support. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Didactics)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of administrators, guidance counselors, and classroom teachers in the high schools of Northeast Tennessee regarding their schools’ academics, climate, culture, parent engagement, and their English Language Learners’ school experiences. The researcher sought to ascertain if significant differences exist between the perceptions of different groups of educational professionals in the school, with those groups to include school administrators, guidance counselors, and classroom teachers. Data were analyzed from 50 survey questions with 42 of those questions measured on a 5-point Likert scale, 5 questions as multiple choice, and 3 questions as open-ended. Data were collected through an online survey program, Survey Monkey. The survey was distributed to 12 school districts consisting of 39 high schools. There was a 23% response rate among administrators, a 29% response rate among counselors, and a nearly 10% response rate among teachers. There were no significant variations of the participants’ perceptions of their schools’ conduciveness to ELLs’ success with regard to classroom practice, student resilience, school climate, school culture, and the strength of home and school partnership.