Describes a professional development program that involved the use of a multimedia package called "Birds of Antarctica" to develop teachers' understanding of a constructivist epistemology in science education. Argues that teachers who engage themselves as learners in a professional development program have greater opportunities to…

Indonesian primary school children are taught to memorize science facts and learn only routine skills. School science lessons focus on low-order thinking as required on the frequent district formative tests and a national year six examination. Because of this emphasis on testing, students show little interest in asking questions about everyday…

Professional development for teachers will continue to be central to the continuing need to help schools deal more effectively with the problems of change. Three themes are emphasized--the individual teacher, the school, and the system. This publication, consisting of 24 papers, is intended to inform public debate on the issue which is critical to…

Provides a case study of Fixed Role Treatment devised to help change the construct systems underlying classroom problems of two high school English teachers. Their professional self-characterizations were analyzed and they were encouraged to adopt new roles. The nature of the classes and need for change affected improvement. (Author/JAC)

This paper examines teachers' perceptions of policy related to accountability and professional development in site-based management. The methodology included the development and administration of the Teacher Professional Development and Accountability Questionnaire. Dimensions in the questionnaire were derived from policy documents on…

This Handbook brings together theoretical and empirical research on purposes, policies and practices of teachers' continuing professional development (CPD) over the last twenty years. It provides a unique collection of regional writing from key professionals in different regions of the world, featuring: (1) A review of current CPD literature; (2)…

Science faculty at one Australian school initiated a school-based professional development program that accommodated their needs through a collaborative approach to observation and discussion of their classroom teaching. Interviews indicated that they considered the program valuable and adapted it to their changing needs. The impetus for change…

This paper discusses the need, principles, types, and evaluation of professional development programs as a stimulus document for the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers Council meeting. (YP)

To examine professional knowledge and growth, experienced elementary teachers completed open-ended interviews that highlighted memorable experiences in their professional lives. Results indicated that teachers preserved and built a sense of their own competence by developing a knowledgeable, malleable concept of professional practice. Their…

Examines the challenges facing one group of secondary school English teachers in Australia as they conducted their first online discussions with a group of Year 11 students. Provides a map to help other teachers steer a clear course towards productive use of online discussion for text-response purposes. (SG)

Explores the frequency and quality of faculty-faculty mentoring experiences. Mentoring contributed to the professional development of proteges and was both gender- and rank-specific, with mentoring opportunities more limited for junior female faculty. Found differences between the American and Australian samples; mentoring received less attention…

Argues that Australian inservice education policies have unintentionally controlled and deskilled teachers. Focuses on Queensland, Australia, from 1973 to 1986. Claims teacher managerial skills are emphasized over curricular and instructional skills. Contends that teachers' professional development consequently suffers. Premises arguments on…

In 1994, Australian Catholic University personnel and 14 K-12 Catholic school teachers collaborated on an action research project to promote professional growth. The K-12 Professional Development Program involved classroom teachers in action research through which they could identify ways to create partnerships with parents. The action research…

The national Language Development Project in Australia, an undertaking concerned with informing teachers on matters to do with language, language development, and language and learning, is described in this report. The various sections of the report establish the project's purposes; offer discussions of developments in thinking and research of the…

Teachers can engage in practical reflection through collaboration that enriches their sense of what is feasible and possible, and they can transform their understanding of those realities. Critical reflection, however, requires various forms of assistance. The use of "clinical supervision" over 6 months in 1982 with 14 teachers in 4…