International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 2834-7919   |  e-ISSN: 1554-5210

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2021, Vol. 17(4) 122-134

Exploring The Relationship between Professional Development Attitudes, Activities and Self-Directed Learning Readiness of EFL Instructors

Aydan Irgatoğlu

pp. 122 - 134   |  DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2021.366.8   |  Manu. Number: MANU-2101-25-0009.R1

Published online: August 08, 2021  |   Number of Views: 204  |  Number of Download: 656


Abstract

With regards to gender, the research study aims to investigate the relationship between teachers' engagement in professional development activities, their attitudes towards professional development, and their readiness for self-directed learning. The study is designed in both correlation model and descriptive comparative model. The research sample is composed of 271 instructors of the English language working at state universities in Ankara. To collect the data, three questionnaires which are the scale of continuous professional development activities developed by De Vries et al. (2013), the attitude about professional development scale developed by Torff et al. (2005), and the self-directed learning readiness scale developed by Fisher et al. (2001) are used. SPSS 22 is used to analyze data and the results indicated that the level of participation of instructors in continuous professional development activities is not high. Besides, collaborative activities are the least preferred ones while reflective activities are the most preferred ones. The analysis of results also shows that the instructors have positive attitudes towards professional development while their attitudes did not differ significantly in terms of gender. Finally, it has been found that instructors’ levels of self-directedness are high and it does not differ significantly in terms of gender, the attitudes towards professional development activities, and self-directed learning readiness together exhibited a significant relationship with participation in all continuous professional development activities.

Keywords: Professional Development Attitudes, Professional Development Activities, Self-Directed Learning Readiness


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Irgatoglu, A. (2021). Exploring The Relationship between Professional Development Attitudes, Activities and Self-Directed Learning Readiness of EFL Instructors . International Journal of Progressive Education, 17(4), 122-134. doi: 10.29329/ijpe.2021.366.8

Harvard
Irgatoglu, A. (2021). Exploring The Relationship between Professional Development Attitudes, Activities and Self-Directed Learning Readiness of EFL Instructors . International Journal of Progressive Education, 17(4), pp. 122-134.

Chicago 16th edition
Irgatoglu, Aydan (2021). "Exploring The Relationship between Professional Development Attitudes, Activities and Self-Directed Learning Readiness of EFL Instructors ". International Journal of Progressive Education 17 (4):122-134. doi:10.29329/ijpe.2021.366.8.

References
  1. Avalos, B. (2011). Teacher professional development in Teaching and Teacher Education over ten years. Teaching and Teacher Education, 27, 10-20.  [Google Scholar]
  2. Balcıoğlu, L. (2010). An assessment of teacher training programs in public and private university foreign languages department preparatory school and the instructors' perception and relevance. Master of Art Thesis. Maltepe University, Institute of Educational Sciences, İstanbul.  [Google Scholar]
  3. Baykal, D. E. (2019). Comparison of school of foreign languages instructors' attitudes towards professional development: Yildiz Technical University and Altinbaş University samples. Master of Art Thesis. Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi, İstanbul.  [Google Scholar]
  4. Bellibaş, M. S., & Gümüş, E. (2016). Teachers’ perceptions of the quantity and quality of professional development activities in Turkey. Cogent education, 3(1), 1-15.  [Google Scholar]
  5. Bozkurt, E., Kavak, N., Yamak, H., Bilici, S. C., Darici, O., & Ozkaya, Y. (2012). Secondary school teachers’ opinions about in-service teacher training: a focus group interview study. Procedia-social and Behavioral sciences, 46, 3502-3506.  [Google Scholar]
  6. Bümen, N. T., Ateş, A., Çakar, E., Ural, G., & Acar, V. (2012). Türkiye bağlamında öğretmenlerin mesleki gelişimi: sorunlar ve öneriler. Milli Eğitim, Bahar 194, 31-50.  [Google Scholar]
  7. De Brabander, K., Vinken, H., & Van Wolput, B. (2011). Competences, professionalization, school climate and the website Leraar24. Heerlen: Ruud de Moorcentrum, Open Universiteit.  [Google Scholar]
  8. De Vries, S., Jansen, E., & van de Grift, W. (2013). Profiling teachers’ continuing professional development and the relation with their beliefs about learning and teaching. Teaching and Teacher Education, 33 (2013), 78-89.  [Google Scholar]
  9. Dijkstra, E. M. (2009). What is the professionality of the contemporary educational professional? Master of Arts thesis. Groningen: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.  [Google Scholar]
  10. Dikilitaş, K. (2013). The impact of in-service teacher training: A case study of four novice teachers' beliefs and classroom practices. PhD Dissertation. Yeditepe University Institute of Educational Sciences, İstanbul, Turkey.  [Google Scholar]
  11. Ellinger, A. D. (2004). The concept of self-directed learning and its implications for human resource development. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 6(2), 158-177.  [Google Scholar]
  12. Fisher, M., King, J., & Tague, G. (2001). Development of a self-directed learning readiness scale for nursing education. Nurse Education Today, 21(7), 516-525.  [Google Scholar]
  13. Gordanshekan, M., Yarmohammadian, M. H., &Ajami, S. (2010). The Effect of Teaching Metacognitive Package on Self-directed Learning among Students of Medical Documents in Esfahan Medical University. Journal of Education in Medical Sciences. pp. 131–140. [Google Scholar]
  14. Guskey, T. R. (2002). Does it make a difference? Evaluating professional development. Educational leadership, 59(6), 45. [Google Scholar]
  15. Hadar, L., & Brody, D. (2010). From isolation to symphonic harmony: Building a Professional development community among teacher educators. Teaching and Teacher Education, 26, 1641-1651.  [Google Scholar]
  16. Hürsen, Ç. (2012). Determine the attitudes of teachers towards professional development activities. INSODE-2011. Procedia Technology, 1 (2012), 42-425.  [Google Scholar]
  17.  Irgatoğlu, A. An Analysis Into Teacher Self-Development Models In One-Year Preparatory Schools Of Prıvate Unıversıtıes In Ankara. Unpublished PhD Dissertation. Gazı̇ Unıversıty Instıtute Of Educatıonal Scıences, Ankara.  [Google Scholar]
  18. Kelly, M. & Boyer, N. (2005). Breaking the ınstitutional mold: blended ınstruction, self-direction and multi-level adul education. International Journal of Self- Directed Learning, 2(1),1-17.  [Google Scholar]
  19. Korkmaz, T. (2015). In-service ELT teachers’ first year with reference to mentor teachers and professional development. Master of Arts Thesis. Ufuk Üniversitesi, Ankara.  [Google Scholar]
  20. Korkmazgil, S. (2015). An investigation into Turkish English language teachers’ perceived professional development needs, practices and challenges. PhD Dissertation. ODTÜ, Ankara.  [Google Scholar]
  21. Linares AZ (1999). "Learning styles of students and faculty in selected health care professions". Js Nurs Educ, 38(9):407-14. [Google Scholar]
  22. Liu, H. W., Jehng, J. C. J., Chen, C. H. V., & Fang, M. (2014). What factors affect teachers in Taiwan in becoming more involved in professional development? A hierarchical linear analysis. Human Resource Development Quarterly,25(3), 381-400.  [Google Scholar]
  23. Liyanage, I. & Barrett, J. B. (2008). Contextually responsive transfer: Perceptions of NNES on an ESL/EFL teacher training programme. Teaching and Teacher Education, 24(1), 1827-1836.  [Google Scholar]
  24. Lopes, J. B., & Cunha, A. E. (2017). Self-directed professional development to improve effective teaching: Key points for a model. Teaching and Teacher Education, 68, 262-274.  [Google Scholar]
  25. Magdalena C, & Ching L. (2005). Developing Self- Directed Learning in Teachers”. International Journal of Self- directed Learning. 2(1): 18-40. [Google Scholar]
  26. Muhammad, İ. (2019). Professional development of English teachers in Turkey. Master of Arts Thesis. Ufuk Üniversitesi, Ankara.  [Google Scholar]
  27. Muyan, E. (2013). A case study on ELT teachers’ perceptions towards professional development acivities. Master of Arts Thesis. Çağ Üniversitesi, İstanbul.  [Google Scholar]
  28. Muzaffar, M., & Malik, S. Y. (2012). Attitude of Teachers towards Professional Development Trainings. Language in India, 12(8), 304-322.  [Google Scholar]
  29. Nadi, M. A., Kazemi, E. (2003). Self-directed Learning in Multiple-grade Classes. Science & Research in Educational Sciences. pp. 131–134.  [Google Scholar]
  30. Ndlovu, M. (2014). The effectiveness of a teacher professional learning programme: The perceptions and performance of mathematics teachers. Pythagoras, 35(2), 1- 10.  [Google Scholar]
  31. Opfer, V. D., & Pedder, D. (2011). Conceptualizing teacher professional learning. Review of Educational Research, 81(3), 376-407.  [Google Scholar]
  32. Pekel, A. (2016). Examining the relation between the general self – suffıciency levels and self–directed learning readiness level of physical education teachers (Kayseri example). International Journal of Development Research, 6(8), 8952- 8957.  [Google Scholar]
  33. Personn, J. (2014). The effects of an in-service teacher training certificate program on the teaching practices of novice teachers. Master of Arts Thesis. Middle East Technical University, Institute of Educational Sciences, Cyprus.  [Google Scholar]
  34. Putnam, R. T., & Borko, H. (2000). What do new views of knowledge and thinking have to say about research on teacher learning? Educational Researcher, 29(1), 4e15.  [Google Scholar]
  35. Reio, T. G. (2004). Prior knowledge, self-directed learning readiness, and curiosity: Antecedents to classroom learning performance. International Journal of Self- directed learning, 1(1), 18-25.  [Google Scholar]
  36. Richards, J.C. & Rodgers, S.T. (2001). Approaches and methods in language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University.  [Google Scholar]
  37. Runhaar, P. R., Sanders, K., & Yang, H. (2010). Stimulating teachers’ reflection and feedback asking: an interplay of self-efficacy, learning goal orientation, and transformational leadership. Teaching and Teacher Education, 26, 1154-1161.  [Google Scholar]
  38. Scott, S. (2002). Professional development: A study of secondary teachers’ experiences and perspectives. Curtin: Curtin University of Technology. [Google Scholar]
  39. Shooshtarizadeh, S., Safavi, M. &Mahmoodi, M. &Yarmohammadian, M. H. (2010). Self-directed Learning Readiness and Learning Styles among Nursing Students of Esfahan Medical University. Journal of Education in Medical Sciences. pp. 27–36.  [Google Scholar]
  40. Torabi, N., Aslani, G.& Bahrami, A. (2013). A study on self-directed learning among preliminary school teachers in Esfahan. 2nd World Conference on Educational Technology Researches – WCETR2012. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 83 (2013), 219-223.  [Google Scholar]
  41. Torff, B., Sessions, D., & Byrnes, K. (2005). Assessment of teachers’ attitudes about professional development. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 65(5), 820-830.  [Google Scholar]
  42. Ünal, E. (2010). An evaluation of in-service teacher training programs in English language teaching. Master of Arts Thesis. Çukurova University, Institute of Educational Sciences, Adana.  [Google Scholar]
  43. Ünal, H., Demir, İ., & Kılıç, S. (2011). Teachers’ professional development and students’ mathematics performance: Findings from TIMSS 2007. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 15, 3252–3257. [Google Scholar]
  44. Ünlü, N , Sarıçoban, A . (2019). An Evaluation of Professional Development Perception and Participation among Teachers of Turkish as a Second or Foreign Language . Selçuk Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi , 42 , 131-148 .  [Google Scholar]
  45. Williamson, S. N. (2007). Development of a self-rating scale of self-directed learning. Nurse Res. 14(2): 66-83.  [Google Scholar]
  46. Yağcı, H. (2014). Tracking changes and progress in EFL teachers’ classroom practices through professional development: The case of Gaziantep. Master of Arts Thesis. Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Ankara.  [Google Scholar]