This two-year case study investigated the effects of a peer observation process in a high school on the six selected areas listed below. Peer observation is a process to improve instruction by having teachers observe and critique other teacher's videotapes of classroom teaching. 1. Changes in norms and expectations for sharing instructional ideas among teachers. 2. The perceived value of self-evaluation of videotapes and related peer discussions about teaching. 3. The perceived value of peer feedback exchanges for instructional improvement. 4. The use of other teachers as models for effective teaching. 5. The perceived value of peer exchanges in stimulating a desire to improve. 6. The effect of peer interaction on the school climate for teacher improvement. The case study design was effective for investigating subjects in their natural setting which was a faculty of approximately 65 veteran teachers who had participated in one or more activities of the peer observation process. Research methods included the use of multiple sources of data from observations, questionnaires, surveys, peer discussion reports, and interviews. Lines of inquiry were triangulated across methods to strengthen the results and to search for divergent findings. Descriptive analyses were used to present and discuss the findings. Seventy-three percent of the staff participated the first year, 43% participated in the second year. Results from the findings indicated that peer observation had the following effects in this setting: 1. Standards of behavior among teachers changed from closed to open after experience with the process. Teachers exchanged ideas on teaching beyond that requested and in situations outside the process activities. 2. Videotape replay of classroom teaching and peer group discussions were perceived as valuable for both observed and observing teachers. 3. Teachers preferred feedback from peers because of the varied ideas from credible sources, the time to exchange teaching strategies, and the nonthreatening environment. 4. Teachers used other teachers as models for generating effective methods for immediate classroom use. S. Teachers perceived exchanges to have stimulated a desire to improve on three levels; awareness, effort, and implementation. 6. A climate for instructional improvement evolved where teachers perceived a need to share information and generate ideas in a non-threatening manner. The peer observation process was found to be an effective program for teacher improvement of instruction in this setting.

This study investigated the acquisition and retention of information presented in the Secondary Instructional/Special Education Project conducted in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Public Schools. A two-group pretest posttest posttest design was used. Retention of information was measured after teachers completed the Inservice Project and returned to the classroom. In addition to the acquisition and retention of information, the relationship of practicability and needs satisfaction to the acquisition and retention of information was investigated. Theoretical practices associated with inservice education were reviewed and presented. Analysis of variance using treatments-by-subjects design was employed to compare the scores on the pretest, posttest I and posttest II for each group. When the F was found to be significant in the analysis of variance, the Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used for making multiple comparisons. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was used to determine if there was a significant statistical relationship between information acquired, practicability and needs satisfaction. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was also used to examine the statistical relationship between retention and the factors of practicability and needs satisfaction. On-going class assessments and teacher interview data were collected and used in the assessment of practicability and needs satisfaction. The analysis of the data revealed a significant increase in the participants' information about special education as measured by the difference between the scores on the pretest and on posttest I immediately following the completion of the course. Information was retained over time by participants in the follow-up study. For participants, ten months after their training, the data revealed that most of the information was retained as represented by the significant difference between the mean pretest score of 21.60 and the mean posttest II score of 43.07. For participants six months following training there was no significant decrease in information as measured by the difference in scores on posttest I and posttest II. Although no significant statistical relationship was demonstrated between acquisition or retention of information to practicability and needs satisfaction through an analysis of data using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, participants interviewed indicated that they had used the information presented in their teaching. They also indicated that the training had affected their teaching and made a difference in their understanding of and work with handicapped children. The interview results were consistent with findings collected throughout the Inservice Project indicating a high level of practicability and usefulness of information. / Ed. D.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

This study focuses on the processes of creating and maintaining a community of teachers in an Israeli high-school. Ten high-school teachers were self-selected to participate in a yearlong professional development focusing on learning and teaching. The participants directed their own professional development by collaboratively sharing and reflecting on their practice. The methodology used for data gathering is rooted in the case study tradition within the philosophy of naturalistic inquiry. The weekly meetings throughout one academic year were recorded and transcribed. Teachers were interviewed three times: at the beginning and end of the year, and two years later, to leam about reasons for participating and evaluation of the community, and to allow further reflections on their experiences in the community. Two main concepts - community and caring relationships - emerged from group conversations and personal interviews, and were used as the study's analytical tools. Three topics were revisited in our conversations throughout the year: teacher-students relationships, teaching strategies, and evaluation of learning for both teachers and students. The conversations revealed the processes of creating an atmosphere of care, trust and openness that enhanced the development of genuine dialogue that turned this group into a caring community. The caring relationships encouraged teachers to make changes in their teaching and suggest changes at the school level. These relationships enhanced teachers' ability to leam from their encounters and helped them develop awareness of the importance of such relations within the educational context. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of teachers' community. It suggests that communities (a) support teachers by enhancing dialogue among them; (b) contribute to social change within the limited context of the school; and (c) add to the construction of knowledge about teaching, learning, and schooling. If schools aim to teach recognition of diverse voices where people strive to care for and understand each other, then teachers should leam and exercise these behaviours. The most viable space for the occurrence of such learning is within teachers' communities. This study, then, gives strength to arguing for the pursuit of communities in school.

M.Ed. (Educational Management) / The Department of Basic Education initiated continuing professional development (CPD) for quality professional development aimed at supporting and revitalising teaching. Also, to encourage teachers to engage continually in life-long career development leading to improvement of learner achievement. Current research studies indicate that there is lack of knowledge and skills among teachers to internalise goals for professional growth and expand capacity to create the desired performance. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the following question: What are teachers’ experiences of continuing professional development in a secondary school in Tembisa, in order to improve their teaching practices and school effectiveness? The study employed organisational behaviour in education and experiential learning as a theoretical framework. A qualitative research approach was applied and an instrumental case study employed as a strategy to focus on a group of six teachers and four School Management Team (SMT) members. Data was collected through three focus group interview sessions with secondary school teachers and an interview with the SMT as a group. A thematic data analysis was applied. Four main themes emerged as a result of the thematic analysis and interpretation, and revealed teachers’ understanding of CPD, the experiences with CPD as teachers engaged in CPD programmes such as content-subject-based training workshops and the CAPS training programme, improvement of teaching practice, and the SMT creating opportunities for teacher learning and development. A thematic analysis of the interview data with the SMT as a group revealed two themes which were: understanding CPD, and SMT views on creating opportunities for teacher learning and development. Continuing professional development (CPD) in education is reflected as an ongoing experiential learning process by which teachers participate in learning through continual attendance of content-subject-based training programmes, curriculum training workshops, and through registering for those certificates and degree programmes offered by universities. Teacher learning takes place in a cyclical process that consists of experiencing, reflecting, thinking and acting on experiences through the application of acquired knowledge, improved skills and changed attitudes. The findings of the study revealed that teachers experienced CPD as an ongoing process in which learning took place through attendance of content-subject-based training and CAPS training workshops in which collaborative learning played an important role. Even though teachers indicated that their teaching practice was improved, they highlighted the challenges experienced regarding CPD programmes. These challenges included the limited time allocated for CAPS training and content/subject training meetings held after working hours. It was clear that the allocated times for teacher training workshops were not realistic for adequately empowering teachers with knowledge and teaching skills for effective teaching practice in real classroom settings. Teachers took ownership and leadership in their CPD by going an extra mile to seek assistance from professionals with specialised knowledge in Mathematics and commercial subjects, and they collaborated with colleagues from other schools to learn different approaches to teaching. CPD enhances teachers’ ability to set their goals for teaching and it broadens their knowledge and teaching skills, giving them the opportunity to reflect continually on their professional growth and experiment in teaching practice.

This study focuses on the processes of creating and maintaining a community of teachers in an Israeli high-school. Ten high-school teachers were self-selected to participate in a yearlong professional development focusing on learning and teaching. The participants directed their own professional development by collaboratively sharing and reflecting on their practice. The methodology used for data gathering is rooted in the case study tradition within the philosophy of naturalistic inquiry. The weekly meetings throughout one academic year were recorded and transcribed. Teachers were interviewed three times: at the beginning and end of the year, and two years later, to leam about reasons for participating and evaluation of the community, and to allow further reflections on their experiences in the community. Two main concepts - community and caring relationships - emerged from group conversations and personal interviews, and were used as the study's analytical tools. Three topics were revisited in our conversations throughout the year: teacher-students relationships, teaching strategies, and evaluation of learning for both teachers and students. The conversations revealed the processes of creating an atmosphere of care, trust and openness that enhanced the development of genuine dialogue that turned this group into a caring community. The caring relationships encouraged teachers to make changes in their teaching and suggest changes at the school level. These relationships enhanced teachers' ability to leam from their encounters and helped them develop awareness of the importance of such relations within the educational context. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of teachers' community. It suggests that communities (a) support teachers by enhancing dialogue among them; (b) contribute to social change within the limited context of the school; and (c) add to the construction of knowledge about teaching, learning, and schooling. If schools aim to teach recognition of diverse voices where people strive to care for and understand each other, then teachers should leam and exercise these behaviours. The most viable space for the occurrence of such learning is within teachers' communities. This study, then, gives strength to arguing for the pursuit of communities in school. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate

D.Ed. (Educational Management) / In the present dissertation the researcher views in-service training in general, and clinical supervision specifically. This research is specifically aimed at the principals of Afrikaans medium secondary schools under the jurisdiction of the Transvaal Education Department. In-service education describes an informal, systematic program, initiated by the principal. This program aims to provide opportunities for teachers to improve the teaching quality of their classes. In-service education is also aimed at the professional development of staffmembers. In-service education aims at the more effective usage of manpower to promote higher productivity. On the other hand clinical supervision is regarded as teaching supervision where data is acquired through observation of true classroom situations. This pre-supposes a one-on-one interaction between the principal and the specific teacher to improve the quality of teaching. Clinical supervision aims to develop the teacher professionally and improve the quality of his teaching. In view of the aims it is possible for clinical supervision to apply the potential of labour effectively, thereby improving productiVity to the benefit of pupils as well as teachers. The successful implementation of clinical supervision relies on a secure, supportive school climate, characterised by healthy headmaster - teacher relations. In this research the researcher will look at the importance of some dimensions of the principal teacher relationship namely: * * * participating leadership: successful communication and creation of a conducive climate. Before a principal can lay claim to successful implementation of clinical supervision as strategy for in-service education, he has to...