about
language
development,
counseling
skills, assertiveness training,
confidence-building, computing, meditation, cultural broadening – almost
anything, in fact.”
Freeman (1989:37) regards teacher development and teacher training as the
two main teacher education strategies. In order to distinguish between them he
proposes a model of teaching which characterizes it as “a decision-making process
based on the categories of knowledge, skills, attitude, and awareness”. Whereas
teacher training addresses the more “trainable” aspects of teaching based on
knowledge and skills, teacher development is concerned with generating change
with regard to the more complex constituents of teaching, i.e. awareness and
attitude.
Freeman’s model of teaching can help us to impose some order on the wide
range of options which are available for teachers aiming to gain confidence in
their teaching and develop their teaching ability in general.
Effective professional development is a prolonged facet of classroom
instruction that is integrated, logical and on-going and incorporates experiences
that are consistent with teachers’ goals; aligned with standards, assessments, other
reform initiatives, and beset by the best research evidence. Professional
development should have sustained focus over time that is consistent with best
practice.
2. Dimensions of teacher professional development.
Gaining confidence in their teaching skills and developing their teaching
ability in general are not just the concern of teachers who are new to the
profession, but also of experienced teachers when they meet new challenges which
seem to threaten their long-standing values and beliefs about learning and teaching,
especially if these may imply changes to their teaching practices. Just think of how
many times you have asked yourself the following questions when you have had to
face a new task: “Can I do that?” “Will I be able to do it well?” After a while you
may find yourself asking: “How can I do better?”
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