Article 2008

Motivating teachers to enact free-choice project-based learning in science and technology (PBLSAT): Effects of a professional development model

Journal of Science Teacher Education
Journal · Vol. 19 · Issue 6 · pp. 565-591
Abstract

We investigated the effects of a long-term, continuous professional development (CPD) model, designed to support teachers to enact Project-Based Learning (PBLSAT). How do novice PBLSAT teachers view their acquisition of PBLSAT skills and how do expert PBLSAT teachers, who enacted the program 5-7 years, perceive the program? Novice teachers evaluated that they acquired the relevant skills but also expressed worries about enacting the program, due to potential difficulties for teachers. Nonetheless, the teachers enacted the program and identified unforeseen benefits for themselves and their students. We suggest that the CPD model helps teachers develop a sense of personal ownership and customization for the program, through multi-staged support to integrate student free-choice PBL into the formal science curriculum. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, B.V.

Keywords

Author Keywords

project-based Learning (PBL) Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Customization Novice and expert teachers Ownership Professional development model

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Department of Science Teaching, Weizmann Institute of Science Israel, Rehovot, Israel
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
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