Professional development and physics teachers’ on-going learning needs

Type of content
Chapters
Thesis discipline
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Publisher
IntechOpen
IntechOpen Limited
Journal Title
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Date
2018
Authors
Buabeng I
Conner L
Winter D
Abstract

This study sought insight into the professional learning and development needs of physics teachers in New Zealand high schools. It used a mixed methods approach that comprised a national survey of high school physics teachers as well as interviews with high school physics teachers and physics teacher educators. Data from the teacher survey were analysed using descriptive statistical methods. Audio recordings from interviews were transcribed and analysed and used to triangulate and add depth to the survey data. Findings indicated that physics teachers were dissatisfied with the lack of formal professional development opportunities available to support their professional growth. There was a heavy reliance on personal critical inquiry and infrequent practitioner meetings to inform practice. Suggestions for how to support the professional development needs of physics teachers better are discussed.

Description
Citation
Buabeng I., Conner L. and Winter D. (2018) Professional development and physics teachers’ on-going learning needs. In Mahlangu V (Ed.), Reimagining New Approaches in Teacher Professional Development London: IntechOpen. (Chapters)
Keywords
Professional development, content knowledge, teacher learning, teaching as inquiry, physics teaching
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Field of Research::13 - Education::1303 - Specialist Studies in Education::130313 - Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators
Fields of Research::39 - Education::3903 - Education systems::390306 - Secondary education
Field of Research::13 - Education::1302 - Curriculum and Pedagogy::130212 - Science, Technology and Engineering Curriculum and Pedagogy
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copyright 2018 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited