Professional Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: What Have We Learned in Benin?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Professional Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: What Have We Learned in Benin?
Language: English
Authors: Kelani, Raphael R., Khourey-Bowers, Claudia
Source: Professional Development in Education. 2012 38(5):705-723.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2012
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Developing Nations, Foreign Countries, Secondary School Teachers, Interviews, Technology Education, Program Implementation, Instructional Design, Classroom Techniques, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Diaries, Teacher Attitudes, Qualitative Research
Geographic Terms: Benin
DOI: 10.1080/19415257.2012.670128
ISSN: 1941-5257
Abstract: This paper explores the effectiveness of a technology education professional development (TEPD) program and factors impeding the implementation of such a program within the context of the Republic of Benin (West Africa). Professional development (PD) programs do not always take into account the specific disciplinary content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge teachers should learn to be able to reach the PD goals. The goals of the study were to identify effective design elements of TEPD for developing nations and to enhance secondary technology education teaching in Benin, as well as in similar developing countries. Within the context of Benin technology education, four all-day sessions of the TEPD were carried out with 51 secondary school science teachers. Qualitative data, comprising teachers' after-session journals, after-session evaluation sheets, class observations and interviews with teachers and students, were collected during the PD program. Results indicated that participants' technology education content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge were enhanced and that technology education lessons from the PD program were incorporated into teachers' classroom practices. (Contains 2 tables.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 28
Entry Date: 2012
Accession Number: EJ982069
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This paper explores the effectiveness of a technology education professional development (TEPD) program and factors impeding the implementation of such a program within the context of the Republic of Benin (West Africa). Professional development (PD) programs do not always take into account the specific disciplinary content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge teachers should learn to be able to reach the PD goals. The goals of the study were to identify effective design elements of TEPD for developing nations and to enhance secondary technology education teaching in Benin, as well as in similar developing countries. Within the context of Benin technology education, four all-day sessions of the TEPD were carried out with 51 secondary school science teachers. Qualitative data, comprising teachers' after-session journals, after-session evaluation sheets, class observations and interviews with teachers and students, were collected during the PD program. Results indicated that participants' technology education content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge were enhanced and that technology education lessons from the PD program were incorporated into teachers' classroom practices. (Contains 2 tables.)
ISSN:1941-5257
DOI:10.1080/19415257.2012.670128