This paper questions the value of the current trend towards mandating formal teaching accreditation in higher education and argues that the "just-in-time" nature of short training programmes coupled with on-going occasional mentoring is likely to result in more productive professional development for academic teachers. Specifically, the…

The purpose of this study was to better understand teacher tensions in professional development. The population under study was practicing mathematics teachers engaged in a week-long professional development institute. Data sources included observations, interviews, and teacher products (such as registration forms, surveys, journals, and…

This qualitative case study examines a sojourn in an English speaking country for a group of experienced teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL). Sojourner learning was interpreted through a community of practice perspective. These participants formed a transitory community in the host country to support their academic and social learning.…

This action inquiry article examines veteran teachers' learning in a week-long professional development seminar. We describe moments of disconnection in key learning relationships (teacher, learner, text) and analyze relational-cultural dynamics that contributed to the disconnections. We investigate the dynamics that facilitate repair within the…

This report explores the first iteration of a teacher professional development courselet grounded in constructionist theory and activities. This online teacher professional development (oTPD) courselet provided opportunities for teachers to engage in just-in-time, ongoing TPD within a social networking site for educators. The topic of the oTPD was…

Teachers are searching for new venues through which they may meet stringent professional development requirements. Under competitive funding from NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Office of Education and the NASA Explorer Schools Project, U.S. Satellite Laboratory, Inc. created a series of live, online, interactive…

Nine special education teachers participated in a language development minicourse emphasizing behavioral approaches. Results showed substantial increases in the teachers' use of skills in the week they were featured in the course. Further increases occurred for most skills when they were exposed to the full combination oF training methods. (CL)

This publication is a teacher participant handbook for an inservice minicourse in developing children's oral language skills, developed by the Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development. Four critical teachinq behaviors are stressed: (1) expand the complexity, flexibility, and preciseness of language and thought; (2) model new…

The minicourse approach to inservice education is described and its effectiveness in teaching regular educators to cope with handicapped students is illustrated by increases in competency attainment and positive changes in attitudes. (CL)

This kit explains the use of minicourses at Macquarie University in New South Wales, Australia, which were designed for the inservice training of teachers. The kit contains the script of the audio commentary, a cassette tape, color slides, and a booklet entitled "Anatomy of the Minicourse." The tape briefly describes the minicourses in general and…

Describes a program of out-of-school computer classes intended for testing out various approaches to teaching children about computers. Program began with teacher training in LOGO computer language, followed by team-taught extracurricular computer electives. Program is self-supporting and rapidly expanding. (TE)

This package of minicourse materials on interaction analysis consists of a handbook, workbook, coordinator's manual, and audio tapes on which classroom episodes have been recorded. The minicourse lasts six weeks, during which time participants are given a brief orientation and spend the first three weeks on five lessons that involve reading…

Brief notes discuss current items of interest such as a behavior modification device for teachers and minicourses for elementary school teachers. (JF)