Identifying teacher understanding of phenomena-based learning after professional development

The researcher conducted a qualitative study to develop a deeper understanding of teacher perceptions use, and understanding of homework as a formative assessment tool. The work of Black et al. (2004), Moss and Brookhart (2009), Stiggins et al. (2006) provided a lens to improve understanding of formative assessment. Cooper (2007), Kohn (2006), and Vatterott (2009) provided a lens to improve understanding of homework. Participants were teachers from three Midwestern high schools in one Midwestern state. Data were collected from focus group interviews, an online open-ended survey, and document analysis. All segments of the participants identified three categories as related to perception, use, and understanding homework as a formative assessment tool: teacher perception of the purpose of homework, the uses of homework as part of classroom assessment practice, and teacher understanding of homework as a formative assessment tool. The findings of this study have implications for teachers and administrators. One of the findings of this study was teachers formulate their perception of homework on assumptions embedded in educational culture. The other important finding was the lack of understanding of formative assessment and homework as formative assessment. Implications for future practice include recommendations for school leaders to take the lead in providing organizational learning, utilize the principles of transformational leadership, and be a provider of professional development in the areas of assessment. Implications for future research include recommendations for gaining an understanding of teacher attitudes before and after professional development in assessment, how effective change is achieved in the area of assessment, and student attitudes toward education in classroom which employ formative assessment versus those who do not.

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Learning “New” Instructional Strategies: Pedagogical Innovation, Teacher Professional Development, Understanding and Concerns

Journal of Teacher Education ◽

10.1177/0022487119844712 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (5) ◽

pp. 552-566

Author(s):

Rita Elaine Silver ◽

Galyna Kogut ◽

Thi Canh Dien Huynh

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Instructional Strategies ◽

Teacher Professional Development ◽

Local Conditions ◽

Pedagogical Innovation ◽

Cultural Appropriateness ◽

Teacher Understanding ◽

Teacher Professional ◽

Innovation Analysis ◽

Pedagogical Innovations

Teacher professional development (TPD) through supported pedagogical innovations relies on teacher understanding (TU) of what is proposed, how the innovation can be enacted, and ways in which an innovation might be effectively adapted to local conditions. This article describes evolving TU during a 1-year reading comprehension innovation. Analysis, based on a two-dimensional neo-Bloomian framework, revealed that types of TU aligned with specific strategies used at specific times in the innovation program to some extent. Initial concerns about cultural appropriateness tended to fade as participating teachers came to their own understandings of how to employ the new instructional strategies. Other teacher concerns shifted from hypothetical to more concrete concerns about how to further enhance classroom interactions, evidencing evolving TU. Importantly, while examining in-class practices shows only the outcome of an innovation, tracking teachers’ developing understanding was important for gaining insights into the ongoing TPD process.

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