Search results for: Fitzgerald Angela

Page 1/1 2 items
1
Understanding teachers’ professional learning needs: what does it mean to teachers and how can it be supported?
Authors: Cooper Rebecca, Fitzgerald Angela, Loughran John, Phillips Michael, Smith Kathy
Based on an in-depth study of a large number of teachers at one school, this paper begins to unpack the participants’ views about and the expectations they hold for their professional learning. Data were collected over two school terms through several focus group interviews reaching approximately two-thirds of the staff. Analysis of the data sets led to identification of themes used to categorise teachers’ perceived areas of developmental need (e.g. special needs, wellbeing, etc.) and what would be required to address these needs (e.g. time, collaboration, etc.). Findings indicate that what teachers receive to support their professional learning is not always what they want or value. Their aspirations regarding their professional learning needs tend to be more informed by their own beliefs about learning and teaching rather than more global, systematic or operational requirements.
Published: 2020
Updated: Jan. 11, 2022
2
Supporting Pre-Service Teachers in Becoming Reflective Practitioners Using Conversation and Professional Standards
Authors: Bradbury Ondine J., Fitzgerald Angela, O'Connor Justen P.
A significant goal of teacher education is to support the development of reflective practitioners. This intention, however, is not easily achieved when after-the-fact recall and reporting are key features of pre-service teacher learning rather than critique and contemplation. This research reports on a small-scale pilot study evaluating a novel approach to help pre-service teachers develop reflective skills in order to both understand and address the requirements of the profession. The approach involved a set of Conversation Cards with a series of question-based prompts directly linked to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APSTs) and designed to enhance reflective conversations. Focus group interview discussions unveiled the surprising ways in which the pre-service teachers used the question prompts, not only as tools for reflection but for planning lessons and preparing for professional discussions with mentors. This research provides insight into a creative and meaningful approach for integrating reflection, professional standards and classroom practice through professional experience.
Published: 2020
Updated: Jun. 24, 2021