O presente trabalho discute a inserção das geociências na prática pedagógica de seis formadores de professores, que carregam como características comuns a pós-graduação em Ensino e História de Ciências da Terra pelo Instituto de Geociências da Universidade Estadual de Campinas e a atuação em disciplinas de metodologias de ensino e/ou em disciplinas de estágios supervisionados. Assumimos como formadores de professores todos os profissionais envolvidos com o processo de docência de futuros professores, tais como: docentes de disciplinas pedagógicas, metodológicas, estágios supervisionados e de disciplinas específicas. O principal objetivo desta pesquisa é entender como as geociências estão difundindo-se na prática desses formadores. Para tanto, partimos do princípio de que a formação neste programa de pós-graduação, as experiências profissionais e as experiências pessoais propiciam o desenvolvimento e/ou a ressignificação de práticas interdisciplinares que carregam alguns fundamentos históricos, epistemológicos e teórico-metodológicos das geociências articulados à Educação Ambiental, ao enfoque da Ciência, Tecnologia e Sociedade (CTS) e à História da Ciência. Para entendermos como práticas, metodologias e concepções deste campo do saber imbricam-se na atuação docente, recorremos à história oral temática por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas buscando desvelar quais foram os caminhos percorridos para que as geociências fossem incorporadas e legitimadas no processo de desenvolvimento da atuação docente. Com o propósito de construir uma análise mais frutífera, tornando a interlocução mais clara, ao longo dos capítulos as discussões teóricas foram permeadas pelas falas dos formadores, ou seja, as análises das entrevistas foram realizadas juntamente com a bibliografia a respeito dos temas delimitados, de modo a tornar constante o diálogo entre teoria e prática. Dessa forma, apresentamos primeiramente, as questões que permeiam o desenvolvimento profissional docente e suas múltiplas dimensões, destacando que a formação docente enquanto continuum se constitui através da reflexão crítica sobre as práticas e da (re)construção permanente da identidade pessoal. Por conseguinte, essas práticas pedagógicas conferem à atuação docente singularidade, uma vez que são delineadas por diferentes vivências, incertezas, reflexões e experiências. Em um segundo momento, esses fundamentos são aprofundados, trazendo à tona a constituição de diferentes práticas interdisciplinares concebidas por meio de alguns princípios da epistemologia das geociências, das práticas geocientíficas com ênfase para os trabalhos de campo; da utilização das linguagens e representações; e da constituição dos museus e das coleções. Por fim, realçamos a importância da interdisciplinaridade enquanto ferramenta de articulação do processo de ensino e aprendizagem, salientando que a ação interdisciplinar se constitui na própria prática e vivência do sujeito. Nesse contexto, as práticas interdisciplinares desvelam-se de diferentes maneiras e em inúmeras possibilidades de atuação docente, algumas vezes integrando os conteúdos, outras integrando o currículo e a construção de conhecimento. Tais concepções vão ao encontro das falas dos formadores, visto que as práticas se estabelecem por meio de diferentes áreas do conhecimento, como a Educação Ambiental, a discussão CTS, a História da Ciência, as geociências, a própria área do conhecimento do docente etc. / This study discusses the inclusion of geoscience in the educational practice of six teacher educators, who have in common graduate education in Teaching and History of Earth Sciences at Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, and the work in disciplines of teaching methodologies and or in supervised internship courses. We consider teacher educators all the professionals involved in the teaching of future teachers, such as: teachers of educational and methodological disciplines, supervised internships, and specific disciplines. The main objective of this research is to understand how geosciences are disseminating in the practice of these educators. Therefore, we assume that training in this graduate program, professional experiences and personal experiences promote the development and or the reinterpretation of interdisciplinary practices that have some historical, epistemological and theoretical-methodological foundations of geosciences linked to Environmental Education, Science, Technology and Society (STS) approach and History of Science. To understand how practices, methodologies and concepts of this field of knowledge intertwine in teaching, we resort to thematic oral history through semi-structured interviews, seeking to uncover what paths have been taken so that geosciences were incorporated and legitimized in the development of teaching. In order to build a more fruitful analysis, making the interlocution clearer, throughout the chapters, the theoretical discussions have been permeated by the speeches of educators, that is, the analysis of the interviews was conducted along with the literature discussion on the topics delimited, so as to make the dialogue between theory and practice constant. Thus first we present the issues that permeate the professional development of teachers and their multiple dimensions, emphasizing that, as a continuum, teacher education is constituted through critical reflection on practice and through the permanent (re)construction of personal identity. Consequently, these educational practices confer uniqueness to the teaching work, since they are delineated by various experiences, uncertainties and reflections. In a second step, these foundations are further discussed, bringing to light the constitution of different interdisciplinary practices conceived through some principles of epistemology of geosciences, of geoscience practices with an emphasis on field work; of the use of languages and representations; and of the establishment of museums and collections. Finally, we emphasize the importance of interdisciplinarity as an articulation tool for the teaching and learning process, stressing that interdisciplinary actions are constituted in the practice and experience of the subjects. In this context, interdisciplinary practices show themselves in different ways and numerous possibilities of teaching practice, sometimes integrating content and sometimes integrating the curriculum and the construction of knowledge. Such conceptions are consistent with the discourse of the educators, since the practices are established through different areas of knowledge, such as Environmental Education, the STS discussion, the History of Science, Geosciences, the area of expertise of each teacher etc.

Pedagogy has not addressed the literacy shift from reading, writing, and speaking to include cognitive digital literacy skills. Teachers lack the technological pedagogical content knowledge to integrate digital literacy skills into student learning. Using a digital literacy framework with 6 essentials skills, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate teachers' (a) current understanding, knowledge and skills; (b) current integration of digital literacy skills; (c) challenges they face in integration; and (d) supports needed in shifting pedagogical practices to address change. Participants were 13 teachers from high school content areas. Data were gathered through focus groups interviews, observations, and artifacts. Data were coded with MAXQDA software, compared, organized, and refined based on the 4 research questions. Findings revealed high levels of knowledge for the terms digital literacy and photovisual literacy. Integration levels of digital literacy skills varied with more evidence in photovisual and reproduction literacy. Five minor challenge themes (critical thinking; time; information and technology literacy; infrastructure and access; and behavior and attitude) and 4 minor support themes (professional development; planning and preparation time; observation and feedback; and schoolwide focus and routines) emerged. Analysis of findings revealed 4 major themes: critical thinking, integrated professional development, effective use of time, and infrastructure and schoolwide routines. Findings may affect positive social change by engaging teachers in critical reflection through professional development leading to improvements in teacher pedagogical practices related to furthering the digital literacy skills of youth.

Bullying has become a serious concern in many American public middle schools in recent years. Inadequate professional development (PD) in bullying prevention and response strategies has compounded this problem. The overarching purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the growing problem of school bullying. Bronfenbrenner's socioecological theory, which states that environment and relationships influence student behavior, served as the conceptual framework for this qualitative study. Guiding research questions, grounded in socioecological theory, were used to examine middle school teachers' views of PD and their perceived skills in responding to or preventing bullying. Through purposeful sampling, 8 middle school teachers in a community in rural Alabama were interviewed over a 3-week period. Each had at least 1 year of teaching experience in the local rural setting. To authenticate study findings, discipline referrals and state incident reports spanning the 2 previous years were assessed for teacher management of bullying. Data were analyzed using open coding to identify and categorize the patterns and themes that emerged. Results indicated that the teachers perceived that PD would give them the strategies to recognize and manage incidents of school bullying. These results supported and informed the PD project for middle school teachers. This study contributes to social change by providing professional development that will help teachers to either prevent or manage school bullying appropriately, a benefit to children and communities.

Third grade teachers participated in a study that examined the ways teachers learn new skills for reading instruction and transfer their learning into the classroom on a daily basis. A review of literature included identification of a purpose for teacher learning, how teacher self-perception influenced use of new knowledge and teacher skills, and improved reading achievement. The teachers discussed challenges and barriers for their learning and implementation of new learning, which included reflection of how each has evolved as a reading teacher. Teachers expressed interests for new learning in reading instruction and self-awareness necessary for improvement in their practice.

Bullying has become a serious concern in many American public middle schools in recent years. Inadequate professional development (PD) in bullying prevention and response strategies has compounded this problem. The overarching purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the growing problem of school bullying. Bronfenbrenner's socioecological theory, which states that environment and relationships influence student behavior, served as the conceptual framework for this qualitative study. Guiding research questions, grounded in socioecological theory, were used to examine middle school teachers' views of PD and their perceived skills in responding to or preventing bullying. Through purposeful sampling, 8 middle school teachers in a community in rural Alabama were interviewed over a 3-week period. Each had at least 1 year of teaching experience in the local rural setting. To authenticate study findings, discipline referrals and state incident reports spanning the 2 previous years were assessed for teacher management of bullying. Data were analyzed using open coding to identify and categorize the patterns and themes that emerged. Results indicated that the teachers perceived that PD would give them the strategies to recognize and manage incidents of school bullying. These results supported and informed the PD project for middle school teachers. This study contributes to social change by providing professional development that will help teachers to either prevent or manage school bullying appropriately, a benefit to children and communities.

This evaluation research study is concerned with the quality of support and in-service development for Malawian primary teachers through the medium of radio. The study aims to evaluate the influence that the current United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded interactive radio instruction (IRI) programme has on teachers’ behaviours, with the aim of proposing some guidelines for the development of a model of continuing professional development (CPD), appropriate to the Malawian context, using IRI. It identifies the teacher as a critical entity in raising levels of learners’ achievement within the primary school and posits that through improved teacher support and development, higher levels of learner achievement can be attained. The study identifies the potential that communication technology in the form of interactive radio instruction (IRI) offers in improving CPD of teachers at a cost that could be affordable to disadvantaged school communities in the country. The study takes place in a context where the Malawi government has been challenged to provide quality universal primary education after introducing free primary education (FPE) in 1994, which resulted in a massive expansion of primary schools, resulting in acute shortages of teachers. The study has drawn on aspects of practice theory and in particular the work of Giddens (1984), Bourdieu (1977, 1978), Shatzki et al (2001) and Reckwitz (2002a) in an attempt to emphasise the role of artefacts, such as interactive radio, as part of social practice. A practice theoretic perspective has been used to highlight the contentious role played by learning-objects in teacher practice and the need for flexibility and innovation in employing learning-objects like interactive radio as part of teaching practice. To carry out a critical exploration of the issues of teacher learning and practice, a longitudinal qualitative research approach was proposed for the evaluation of the existing IRI programme in Malawi. As the researcher was also actively involved in the planning of the Malawi IRI programme from onset, he therefore maintained a dual role of researcher and co-founder throughout the research process. The empirical evidence employed within this research was elicited through three main processes: interview survey, participant observation and focus groups in order to achieve validity through methodical triangulation. The analysis of this evidence shows the considerable difficulties faced by classroom teachers in attempting to adopt interactive radio and therefore be able to use interactive/active learner-centred instruction as part of their ongoing teaching practice. The analysis, however, also highlights the possibility of exploiting interactive radio for provision of an integrated, sustainable CPD of teachers in educationally deprived school communities. Overall, the research study puts emphasis on the need for paying attention to the social practices (contextually specific) within which the use of educational technologies (such as interactive radio), are enmeshed. There is need to explicate the details of such practices (instead of adopting a narrow, technical, focus on attributes of interactive radio itself) in order to improve the efficacy of using interactive radio.

Gabon is a Sub-Saharan francophone country which has been independent since August 1960. Its Educational System is modelled on the French System. However, the Gabonese Education System currently does not have any guidelines or policies for the system-wide implementation, integration and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the education system. The Gabonese Government committed itself to some ICT-related partnerships, but did not launch any programme or activity relating to those commitments. In addition, the Government provided funding to change the country’s Internet connectivity by satellite with the WASC/SAT3 sub-marine cable in order to make Internet access and connection ten times cheaper at the international level. Unfortunately, the benefit from this investment is not experienced in the country as the potential users, such as teachers, keep having challenges with Internet connection. After fifty years of independence, the government also does not offer sufficient opportunity for teachers to enhance their pedagogical knowledge and skill through teacher professional development (TPD). As a result, no research, guidelines or policies exist for the implementation and use of Open Distance Learning (ODL) for TPD supported by ICT. The aim of this qualitative descriptive exploratory research study was to explore, describe and understand the enablers and challenges of initiating ICT in the ODL training of Gabonese in-service teachers. Although the academic seat for this research was the School of Continuing Teacher Education on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University in South Africa, the research project’s focus, conceptualisation, data-collection and data-interpretation were all based and conducted within the researcher’s heimat, i.e. the Gabonese Education System context. An interactive qualitative casestudy research design (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005; Merriam, 1998) was used in this investigation to obtain in-depth context sensitive data concerning the attitudes, fears, needs, expectations, infrastructure and readiness of the Gabonese Education teachers (at schools and training institutions) for the implementation and use of ICT for ODL training of Gabonese English (second language) teachers, collected through qualitative research methods, i.e. semi-structured open-ended individual and focusgroup interviews, as well as additional research artefacts in the form of photographs to visually record the unique contexts involved. The researcher decided to involve Gabonese English (second language) teachers in the investigation, as he has worked in this discipline for at least twenty years. To ensure sufficient participants, the researcher made use of a snowball strategy where participants in the research referred others. Participants were also selected according to specific selection criteria. Two English (second language) teachers, one school principal, four ICT specialists, one advisor of English teachers, and one inspector of English teachers (ICT specialist) participated in eight individual interviews. Nine English teachers and two advisors of English teachers participated in four focus-group interviews. All interviews were conducted in French. At the North-West University in South Africa, the researcher transcribed the interview data and used ATLAS.ti™ (qualitative data-analysis software) to construct an integrated data-set for analysis. Qualitative data-analysis was performed under the guidance of an expert researcher in qualitative data-analysis. The relevant research findings were translated into English for the purpose of this report. Qualitative data-analysis of the integrated data-set identified six categories of data related to three themes, i.e. (i) Gabonese Education, (ii) ICT in Gabon and (iii) ODL in Gabon. The six categories are: (i) Challenges of Gabonese Education, (ii) Enablers of Gabonese Education, (iii) Challenges to implementation and integration of ICT, (iv) Enablers of ICT; (v) Challenges of ODL, and (vi) Enablers of ODL. These categories supported by codes and quotations provide basic ideas on the research enablers and challenges of initiating ICT in ODL training of Gabonese in-service teachers. The discussion comprises thirty codes, and recommendations are made. The findings of this rich qualitative exploration could benefit and support the Gabonese Education Department, policy makers and academic institutions in their quest to implement, integrate and use ICT in the TPD of in-service teachers via DE and ODL. / Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Development))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Gabon is a Sub-Saharan francophone country which has been independent since August 1960. Its Educational System is modelled on the French System. However, the Gabonese Education System currently does not have any guidelines or policies for the system-wide implementation, integration and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the education system. The Gabonese Government committed itself to some ICT-related partnerships, but did not launch any programme or activity relating to those commitments. In addition, the Government provided funding to change the country’s Internet connectivity by satellite with the WASC/SAT3 sub-marine cable in order to make Internet access and connection ten times cheaper at the international level. Unfortunately, the benefit from this investment is not experienced in the country as the potential users, such as teachers, keep having challenges with Internet connection. After fifty years of independence, the government also does not offer sufficient opportunity for teachers to enhance their pedagogical knowledge and skill through teacher professional development (TPD). As a result, no research, guidelines or policies exist for the implementation and use of Open Distance Learning (ODL) for TPD supported by ICT. The aim of this qualitative descriptive exploratory research study was to explore, describe and understand the enablers and challenges of initiating ICT in the ODL training of Gabonese in-service teachers. Although the academic seat for this research was the School of Continuing Teacher Education on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University in South Africa, the research project’s focus, conceptualisation, data-collection and data-interpretation were all based and conducted within the researcher’s heimat, i.e. the Gabonese Education System context. An interactive qualitative casestudy research design (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005; Merriam, 1998) was used in this investigation to obtain in-depth context sensitive data concerning the attitudes, fears, needs, expectations, infrastructure and readiness of the Gabonese Education teachers (at schools and training institutions) for the implementation and use of ICT for ODL training of Gabonese English (second language) teachers, collected through qualitative research methods, i.e. semi-structured open-ended individual and focusgroup interviews, as well as additional research artefacts in the form of photographs to visually record the unique contexts involved. The researcher decided to involve Gabonese English (second language) teachers in the investigation, as he has worked in this discipline for at least twenty years. To ensure sufficient participants, the researcher made use of a snowball strategy where participants in the research referred others. Participants were also selected according to specific selection criteria. Two English (second language) teachers, one school principal, four ICT specialists, one advisor of English teachers, and one inspector of English teachers (ICT specialist) participated in eight individual interviews. Nine English teachers and two advisors of English teachers participated in four focus-group interviews. All interviews were conducted in French. At the North-West University in South Africa, the researcher transcribed the interview data and used ATLAS.ti™ (qualitative data-analysis software) to construct an integrated data-set for analysis. Qualitative data-analysis was performed under the guidance of an expert researcher in qualitative data-analysis. The relevant research findings were translated into English for the purpose of this report. Qualitative data-analysis of the integrated data-set identified six categories of data related to three themes, i.e. (i) Gabonese Education, (ii) ICT in Gabon and (iii) ODL in Gabon. The six categories are: (i) Challenges of Gabonese Education, (ii) Enablers of Gabonese Education, (iii) Challenges to implementation and integration of ICT, (iv) Enablers of ICT; (v) Challenges of ODL, and (vi) Enablers of ODL. These categories supported by codes and quotations provide basic ideas on the research enablers and challenges of initiating ICT in ODL training of Gabonese in-service teachers. The discussion comprises thirty codes, and recommendations are made. The findings of this rich qualitative exploration could benefit and support the Gabonese Education Department, policy makers and academic institutions in their quest to implement, integrate and use ICT in the TPD of in-service teachers via DE and ODL. / Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Development))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Although the Internet is widely used in many areas, its use in school mathematics is at best in its infancy. Studies show that Mathematics teachers have fewer uses for the Internet than teachers of other disciplines. Hence, this research adopted a mixed method approach to investigate what mathematics materials are on the Internet, how teachers are teaching mathematics with the Web and mathematic students' perceptions and engagement with the Internet. This research reviewed the World Wide Web for mathematics materials and found three major groupings of online resources namely interactive resources, non-interactive resources, and communications possibilities. A typology of Web objects was constructed and a database based on a Task-Web object approach was proposed for teacher use. A broad survey was used to elicit information about Internet usage among mathematic teachers. A total of 103 mathematics teachers responded and 15 were interviewed to gain further insight into their usage. Observations of Internet use were also conducted in the classrooms of 4 teachers. The results show that most teachers would like to use the Internet more in their teaching of mathematics but many do not know where and how to do so in an effective way. Statistics, Business Mathematics and Number operations appear to be the more popular topics. Using statistics data from the Web seem to be the Web feature that is most common followed by using the Internet as a resource centre for word problems. Web communications are seldom used. Common constraints teachers face include lack of time, difficulty in planning, lack of knowledge of good Web sites that map to curricula, slow download times, and limited booking times. Students perceive doing activities on the Internet as better than from the textbook because of the amount and variety of information, the better explanations and the change in mode of presentation. Students who have a low comfort level with mathematics wish their teachers would use the Internet. The power of interactive activities on the Internet to engage and motivate these students is due to a variety of reasons such as the element of game play, a change from the routine, its ability to present different conceptual visuals, the independent self paced learning, and quick feedback that came with the use of the Internet. The Internet also enabled students to access difficult to find information and saved them time. The findings also suggest that teachers' persistence in using the Internet could bring about a routine that helps students settle down to the task and stay on task. Teachers' choice and discernment of Web-based activities that are engaging and motivating are paramount to the success of this learning tool. Four Web-based strategies for teaching mathematics were documented and a model of underlying knowledge for teacher practice with the Web was suggested.

This research was developed under the research line "Training, Knowledge and Professional Development" Program Graduate Education UFSM / RS, aimed to understand the processes of formation of teacher identity made possible by formative models that guide the policies of continuous formation of teachers in service, planned and carried out by the municipality of Alegrete / RS network. Our problematic research aims to understand how the actions of continuous formation of teachers in service, developed by Schools Basic Education influence the process of Constitution of teacher professional identity of participating teachers. In order to operationalize the research actions, the central problem was broken down into more specific investigative questions seeking to know: a) How to characterize the actions of continuous formation of teachers in service, promoted and developed in EEB on the municipal Alegrete / RS; b) What challenges tend to be faced by the schools for the organization and development of FC actions; c) what are the conceptions of teaching that usually guide the actions of FC; d) what aspects are considered by teachers as definers of their professional identity. We classify our research as qualitative nature. Data collection occurred through interviews with 18 teachers of the first years, 5 educational coordinators and 4 members of SMEC; as well for realization of systematic observations of formative meetings in 5 EEB, and the use of textual analysis scripts of the political-pedagogical projects of these schools, and Educational Principles and Guidelines of the Municipal Secretariat of Education and Culture. The results indicate that the actions of FC have as main reference the conceptions of educational coordinators and management teams. The formators of the actions are usually specialists or teachers of the school network. The FC occurs at school in a timely manner, following a previously established calendar. The main challenges faced by the schools in developing actions refer to the collective planning of FC; the lack of organization of actions, the disconnected thematic of the interests and needs of teachers; unpreparedness of the formators, and the participation and involvement of teachers. These challenges stem from many aspects, such as: create conditions for the teachers to participate on the meetings, which sometimes is hampered by the working hours, or even for the lack of relevance understanding of FC for the profession. As for teaching concepts that supporting the processes of FC we found in the documents and of the speech teachers, aspects consistent with the models of reflective professional and of critical intellectual who exercises your protagonism in an autonomous way in school. Already in the speech of educational coordinators noted a higher incidence of aspects which are related with the technical specialist model applying the knowledge received in the achieving the objectives proposed. Teachers and educational coordinators refer to FC as a mechanism to supply the shortcomings of the initial formation, considered insufficient in preparation for the teaching . Teachers prefer the types of FC where they can reflect about the problems of practice, with emphasis on updating knowledge, elaboration of teaching materials and the search for answers for the problems which they living in the classroom. As to the identification with teaching, the aspects considered by teachers as defining professional identity linking learning on profession to the practice in the classroom, experiences as students, to stories of life, to belonging to the group of teachers, to study, to the relationship of love and dedication to students and to teaching as a mission linking to the gift and vocation. Basically the motivations of teachers to practice a profession are focused on student learning. The biggest challenges that teachers find in the profession refer to the families participation in the school; lack of advisory services on the classroom; to overwork, and the difficulty in finding strategies that contribute on the development of students with learning difficulties. As noted in the formative meetings, the formative actions are given, in general, in a timely manner, without the effective participation of teachers in the structure. View of these facts , it seems reasonable to assert that the actions of continued formation of teachers in service, developed in some schools don't make it possible the constitution of autonomous professional and reflective identities and, yes, the constitution of identities that follow the technical model. In turn, some schools point to the formation of a greater identification with teaching, the extent that promote spaces for dialogue around the challenges and interests of teachers. In view of these observations we believe it is urgent to review the proposals for formation at the schools researched in order to provide space propulsion of investigator attitude and of the critical-reflexive practice fundamental for professional development through the formative actions collectively elaborated, giving conditions of teachers taking a reflective and autonomous professional identity. / Esta pesquisa, desenvolvida no âmbito da Linha de Pesquisa Formação, Saberes e Desenvolvimento Profissional do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação da UFSM/RS, teve como objetivo compreender os processos de constituição de identidade docente possibilitados pelos modelos formativos que orientam as políticas de formação continuada de professores em serviço, planejadas e realizadas pela rede do município de Alegrete/RS. Nossa problemática de pesquisa visa compreender de que formas as ações de formação continuada de professores em serviço, desenvolvidas por Escolas de Educação Básica, condicionam o processo de constituição da identidade profissional docente dos professores participantes. De modo a operacionalizar as ações de pesquisa, o problema central foi desdobrado em questões investigativas mais específicas que buscam saber: a) como se caracterizam as ações de formação continuada de professores em serviço, promovidas e desenvolvidas em EEB na rede municipal de Alegrete/RS; b) que desafios costumam ser enfrentados pelas escolas para a organização e o desenvolvimento de ações de FC; c) quais são as concepções de docência que costumam orientar as ações de FC; d) que aspectos são considerados pelos docentes como definidores de sua identidade profissional. Classificamos nossa pesquisa como de natureza qualitativa. A coleta de informações se deu mediante a realização de entrevistas com 18 professores dos Anos Iniciais, 5 coordenadores pedagógicos e 4 membros da SMEC; bem como pela realização de observações sistemáticas dos encontros formativos em 5 EEB, e a utilização de roteiros de análise textual dos projetos político-pedagógicos dessas escolas, e dos Princípios e Diretrizes Educacionais da Secretaria Municipal de Educação e Cultura. Os resultados apontam que as ações de FC têm como referência principal as concepções dos coordenadores pedagógicos e das equipes diretivas. Os formadores das ações são geralmente especialistas ou professores da rede de ensino. A FC ocorre no espaço escolar de forma pontual, seguindo um calendário previamente estabelecido. Os principais desafios enfrentados pelas escolas no desenvolvimento das ações se referem ao planejamento coletivo da FC; à falta de organização das ações, às temáticas desvinculadas dos interesses e necessidades dos docentes; ao despreparo dos formadores, e à participação e envolvimento dos professores. Esses desafios decorrem de vários aspectos, tais como: criar condições para que os docentes participem dos encontros, o que por vezes é dificultado pela carga horária, ou até mesmo pela falta de entendimento da relevância da FC para o exercício da profissão. Quanto às concepções de docência que fundamentam os processos de FC, constatamos nos documentos e na fala dos professores, aspectos que condizem com os modelos de profissional reflexivo e de intelectual crítico, que exerce o seu protagonismo de forma autônoma na escola. Já na fala dos coordenadores pedagógicos notamos uma maior incidência de aspectos que se relacionam com o modelo de técnico especialista, que aplica os conhecimentos recebidos no alcance dos objetivos propostos. Os professores e os coordenadores pedagógicos se referem à FC como mecanismo de suprimento das lacunas da formação inicial, considerada insuficiente na preparação para o exercício da docência. Os professores preferem os tipos de FC onde possam refletir sobre os problemas da prática, com ênfase na atualização de conhecimentos, elaboração de material pedagógico, e na busca por respostas para os problemas que vivenciam em sala de aula. Com relação à identificação com a docência, os aspectos considerados pelos docentes como definidores de sua identidade profissional vinculam a aprendizagem da profissão à prática na sala de aula, às experiências como estudantes, às histórias de vida, à pertença ao grupo de docentes, ao estudo, à relação de amor e dedicação aos alunos, e ao ensino como uma missão ligada ao dom e a vocação. Basicamente as motivações dos docentes para exercerem a profissão estão centradas na aprendizagem dos alunos. Os maiores desafios que os docentes encontram na profissão se referem à participação das famílias na escola; à falta de assessoramento em sala de aula; ao excesso de trabalho, e à dificuldade em encontrar estratégias que contribuam no desenvolvimento dos alunos com dificuldades de aprendizagem. Conforme observado nos encontros formativos, as ações formativas se dão, no geral, de forma pontual, sem a participação efetiva dos professores em sua estruturação. Diante do quadro exposto, parece-nos razoável afirmar que as ações de formação continuada de professores em serviço, desenvolvidas em algumas escolas pesquisadas não possibilitam a constituição de identidades profissionais autônomas e reflexivas e, sim, a constituição de identidades que seguem o modelo técnico. Por sua vez, algumas escolas sinalizam a constituição de uma maior identificação com a docência, na medida em que promovem espaços de interlocução em torno dos desafios e interesses dos professores. Diante dessas constatações entendemos que é urgente a revisão das propostas de formação nas escolas pesquisadas, a fim de que proporcionem espaços propulsores da atitude investigadora e da prática crítico-reflexiva, fundamentais ao desenvolvimento profissional, por meio de ações formativas elaboradas coletivamente, dando condições dos professores assumirem uma identidade profissional reflexiva e autônoma.