INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHANGES IN EDUCATION
Research Article
Nov 15, 2024 1 0

Exploring Private School Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development Sessions Through the Lens of Active Experimentation

Lisa S. Ockerman 1,
Sikha Bagui 2 *
1 Curriculum of Instruction, University of West Florida, USA2 Department of Computer Science, University of West Florida, USA* Corresponding Author
International Journal of Changes in Education, 1(4), 2024, 177-187, https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022180
Publication date: Nov 15, 2024
Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

The goal of this research study was to investigate the effects of D.A. Kolb’s active experimentation stage of experiential learning theory (ELT) on teacher professional development. This qualitative interpretive phenomenological study addressed the problem of teachers’ desires for effective professional learning experiences to improve student learning and instruction in the classroom. The research questions explored the perceptions of private school teachers regarding professional development sessions, specifically in the context of active experimentation. The study aimed to investigate the advantages of promoting a professional culture of continuous learning and teamwork among teachers through various methods such as lab classrooms, peer observation, professional learning communities, and peer coaching. The study adopts a descriptive approach utilizing focus group discussion and semi-structured interviews for data collection. Purposeful sampling was used to determine the sample and criterion sampling was used to select the participants. Biographic data were collected to provide background information about the participants involved. The biographic data allowed for stratification enabling the examination of various factors connected to the aim of the study. The study focused on understanding the benefits of providing teacher support through active experimentation during professional development sessions. Results showed that although teachers did not explicitly reference ELT when discussing effective strategies during professional development sessions, they referenced the value of hands-on, active participation in realclassroom stimulations during teacher professional development. The study’s findings also indicate a need for creating a consistent framework for professional development sessions that includes active learning, teacher collaboration, and continuous support in a culture anchored in trust.

KEYWORDS

experiential learning active experimentation professional development private school hands-on learn

CITATION (APA)

Ockerman, L. S., & Bagui, S. (2024). Exploring Private School Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development Sessions Through the Lens of Active Experimentation. International Journal of Changes in Education, 1(4), 177-187. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022180
Harvard
Ockerman, L. S., and Bagui, S. (2024). Exploring Private School Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development Sessions Through the Lens of Active Experimentation. International Journal of Changes in Education, 1(4), pp. 177-187. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022180
Vancouver
Ockerman LS, Bagui S. Exploring Private School Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development Sessions Through the Lens of Active Experimentation. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2024;1(4):177-87. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022180
AMA
Ockerman LS, Bagui S. Exploring Private School Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development Sessions Through the Lens of Active Experimentation. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2024;1(4), 177-187. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022180
Chicago
Ockerman, Lisa S., and Sikha Bagui. "Exploring Private School Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development Sessions Through the Lens of Active Experimentation". International Journal of Changes in Education 2024 1 no. 4 (2024): 177-187. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022180
MLA
Ockerman, Lisa S. et al. "Exploring Private School Teachers' Perceptions of Professional Development Sessions Through the Lens of Active Experimentation". International Journal of Changes in Education, vol. 1, no. 4, 2024, pp. 177-187. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42022180

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