Facilitators as Actors: Exploring Power, Knowledge and Subjectivity in a Teacher Professional Development Programme

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Facilitators as Actors: Exploring Power, Knowledge and Subjectivity in a Teacher Professional Development Programme
Language: English
Authors: Fernando Bolaños Zarate (ORCID 0000-0003-0873-6672), Alessandra Díaz-Sacco (ORCID 0000-0002-6380-6971), Armando Peri (ORCID 0000-0001-8066-6977)
Source: Cambridge Journal of Education. 2026 56(1):19-35.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Faculty Development, Facilitators (Individuals), Foreign Countries, Universities, 21st Century Skills, Research and Development, Theory Practice Relationship, Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Chile
DOI: 10.1080/0305764X.2025.2590448
ISSN: 0305-764X
1469-3577
Abstract: Numerous studies have explored the purposes, pedagogical practices and claimed added value of teacher professional development programmes. The authors understand these as the programmes' underlying rationalities. However, few studies compare these rationalities, as articulated in guiding documents, with those held by the facilitators who implement them. Given facilitators' key roles, failing to compare the rationalities found in guiding documents with those held by them may lead to gaps between intentions and outcomes. Moreover, facilitators can offer insights not captured in documents. Accordingly, neglecting their perspectives risks missing opportunities for improvement. This study addresses this gap by using post-foundational discourse analysis and taking inspiration from Michel Foucault. The authors analysed documents and conducted semi-structured interviews with all facilitators of a programme called ARPA. Their findings reveal both alignments and discrepancies. They conclude that tensions between facilitators and documents provide valuable opportunities for professional development programmes, as facilitators actively critique and reshape educational rationalities.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500763
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Numerous studies have explored the purposes, pedagogical practices and claimed added value of teacher professional development programmes. The authors understand these as the programmes' underlying rationalities. However, few studies compare these rationalities, as articulated in guiding documents, with those held by the facilitators who implement them. Given facilitators' key roles, failing to compare the rationalities found in guiding documents with those held by them may lead to gaps between intentions and outcomes. Moreover, facilitators can offer insights not captured in documents. Accordingly, neglecting their perspectives risks missing opportunities for improvement. This study addresses this gap by using post-foundational discourse analysis and taking inspiration from Michel Foucault. The authors analysed documents and conducted semi-structured interviews with all facilitators of a programme called ARPA. Their findings reveal both alignments and discrepancies. They conclude that tensions between facilitators and documents provide valuable opportunities for professional development programmes, as facilitators actively critique and reshape educational rationalities.
ISSN:0305-764X
1469-3577
DOI:10.1080/0305764X.2025.2590448