<p>During the past several decades, instructional supervision and professional development have been identified as vehicles to enhance the performance of teachers. One of the most critical problems facing the profession is how to improve the development of beginning teachers. The purpose of the study was to examine beginning teachers perceptions of actual and ideal approaches to supervision and their perceived connection to professional development in Canadian and Ukrainian high schools. The study was based on the belief that the supervisory process should be a collaborative effort reflecting the professional concerns of the individual teacher.</p>
<p>The study was based on the belief that the supervisory process should be a collaborative effort reflecting the professional concerns of the individual teacher. The conceptual framework dwelt upon supervisory choices for beginning teachers, namely collaboration with supervisors or peers, and self-reflection. Stemming from the need for improved supervision of teachers was a need to develop a connection between supervision and professional development for the purpose of instructional improvement.</p>
<p>Quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry were used in this study. The survey was used to elicit teachers points of view and to establish a profile of the supervision experiences of high school teachers in their first years of teaching in the areas of Saskatoon, Canada and Chernivtsi, Ukraine. The sample consisted of 22 teachers in Canada and 26 teachers in Ukraine. The qualitative data were obtained through the use of semi-structured interviews that incorporated open-ended questions. Interviews were conducted with four of the survey respondents in each country. Participants responses were analyzed according to the research questions and recurring themes.</p>
<p>The findings revealed that in both countries beginning teachers desired more frequent use of supervision that meets their individual professional needs. A choice in supervisory approaches, better planning, and active involvement in decision making process regarding the supervisory practices were viewed as being beneficial for them. Beginning teachers advocated a need for supervision that promotes trust and collaboration, and that provides them with support, advice, and help.</p>
<p>Respondents advocated supervision that is closely connected to professional development. They expressed the desire to grow professionally and improve their instruction in order to provide quality education for students. Participant responses, for the most part, aligned with the literature which indicated that beginning teachers need extensive supervisory assistance. A number of implications were derived for theory, practice, and further research.</p>
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:USASK/oai:usask.ca:etd-09052003-134303 |
Date | 10 September 2003 |
Creators | Kutsyuruba, Veniamin Venedyktovych |
Contributors | Renihan, Patrick, Noonan, Warren, Carr-Stewart, Sheila, Billinton, Jack, Sackney, Lawrence (Larry) |
Publisher | University of Saskatchewan |
Source Sets | University of Saskatchewan Library |
Language | English |
Detected Language | English |
Type | text |
Format | application/pdf |
Source | http://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-09052003-134303/ |
Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Saskatchewan or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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