Learning at the nano-level: Accounting for complexity in the internalization of secondary STEM teacher professional development

Utilizing a case study research design, the factors that influence teacher learning and change, as well as the processes by which secondary STEM teachers internalize professional development (PD) content, are explored. The authors argue that conceptualizations of teacher learning often do not adequa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Teaching and teacher education 2015-10, Vol.51, p.101-112
Main Authors: Fore, Grant A., Feldhaus, Charles R., Sorge, Brandon H., Agarwal, Mangilal, Varahramyan, Kody
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Exogenous variables
Professional development
STEM education
Subjectivity
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Utilizing a case study research design, the factors that influence teacher learning and change, as well as the processes by which secondary STEM teachers internalize professional development (PD) content, are explored. The authors argue that conceptualizations of teacher learning often do not adequately account for teacher subjectivity and the role of exogenous variables in teacher development. The outcomes of PD are heavily influenced by teacher subjectivity, which includes perceptions, previous knowledge, and the internalization of the power and influence present in educational policy and socioeconomic realities. This complexity must be accounted for when planning, researching, or evaluating teacher PD. •Case study design to explore the lived realities of STEM teacher development.•Current learning models neglect the role of subjectivity and exogenous variables.•Subjectivity provides a useful lens for analyzing processes of STEM teacher change.•Consideration of exogenous variables deepens understanding of teacher PD outcomes.•Understanding complexity could promote improvements in PD research and policy.
ISSN:0742-051X
1879-2480
DOI:10.1016/j.tate.2015.06.008