Isabel Rots

Internet parenting styles and the impact on Internet use of primary school children

Next to available data about actual Internet use of young children at home, most research especially focuses on the threats and opportunities about active Internet usage. Limited empirical research focuses on the role and impact of parents in this context. In the present study, Internet parenting styles are defined and operationalized to study the impact on actual Internet usage of children at home. Two dimensions are distinguished in Internet parenting styles: parental control and parental warmth. Based on a survey, involving 533 parents from children in primary schools, this Internet usage was studied from the perspective of Internet parenting styles. Results point at high Internet access at home. As to the parenting styles, we observe a dominance of the authoritative parenting style (59.4%). The styles differ when controlling for parent gender, educational background and age. Parenting styles are also linked to level of parent Internet usage, Internet attitude and Internet experience. Parenting styles also significantly affect child Internet usage. The highest child usage level is perceived when parents adopt a permissive parenting style; the lowest level is observed when parents adopt an authoritarian Internet parenting style. The variables Internet parenting style, parent Internet behavior, and parent educational background significantly predict Internet usage of children at home (R^2=.44). Theoretical and practical implications are discussed and directions for future research.

Differentiated instruction in teacher education: A case study of congruent teaching

Teachers are supposed to use forms of differentiated instruction to anticipate the differences among their students. However, the adaptation of teaching to the diversity of the group often takes place with difficulty. Teacher education is blamed for not preparing student teachers adequately for differentiated instruction. Several authors suggest that congruent teaching in teacher education might be an adequate solution to this problem. This case study aims to investigate the (congruent) realization of differentiated instruction in teacher education using ethnographic tools. The results indicate that the observed teacher educator demonstrated limited forms of differentiation, largely without providing meta-commentary. Therefore, she is not a role model on the subject of differentiated instruction in the view of student teachers. These results are discussed in depth, and form a basis for further research and suggestions for practice in teacher education.

Teacher education graduates’ entrance into the teaching profession: Development and test of a model

This study aims to advance insight into the relationship between teacher education and graduates’ intended and actual entrance into the teaching profession. Moreover, it indicates how this relationship varies between teacher training for primary education (i.e., programs for class teachers-to-be) and teacher training for secondary education (i.e., programs for subject teachers-to-be). A hypothetical model of graduates’ entrance into the teaching profession comprising empirically grounded variables was developed. Besides teacher education related variables, other factors (e.g., motivation and labour market) were included. Data for this study were collected based on a sample of 301 teacher education graduates. Logistic regression analysis shows that intention to enter teaching is a valid predictor of actual entrance. Path analysis was applied to test the hypothetical pattern of (inter)relationships between the variables. For graduates from teacher training for pre-school and primary education, the path model accounts for 33% of the variance in intention to enter teaching. For teacher training for secondary education the explained amount of variance is 44%. Results are largely consistent across the two types of teacher training showing a small, although statistically significant, contribution of teacher education above other antecedents of graduates’ intention to enter teaching.RésuméCette étude vise à examiner la relation entre la formation des enseignants et le choix des diplômés d’entrer ou non dans la profession enseignante. En outre, elle montre comment cette relation varie selon le type de formation. Un modèle hypothétique de l’entrée dans la profession enseignante a été construit. En dehors des variables sur la formation des enseignants, ce modèle contient d’autres variables (p. ex., motivation et marché du travail). 301 diplômés ont reçu un questionnaire à remplir. La régression logistique indique que l’intention d’entrer dans la profession enseignante est un indicateur valide de l’entrée effective. Pour deux types de formation des enseignants, une méthode d’analyse de piste causale (path analysis) a été effectuée afin d’examiner les interrelations des variables. Pour des diplômés de formation des enseignants du préscolaire et primaire, le modèle explique 33% de la variance de leur intention d’entrer dans la profession. Pour des diplômés du degré secondaire, la quantité de variance expliquée est 44%. En grande partie, les résultats sont consistants à travers les deux types de formation des enseignants. Les résultats indiquent un effet limité, bien que statistiquement significatif, de la formation des enseignants sur l’intention des diplômés d’entrer dans la profession enseignante.

The Impact of Effort–Reward Imbalance and Learning Motivation on Teachers' Sickness Absence

The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of the effort-reward imbalance and learning motivation on sickness absence duration and sickness absence frequency among beginning teachers in Flanders (Belgium). A total of 603 teachers, who recently graduated, participated in this study. Effort-reward imbalance and learning motivation were assessed by means of self-administered questionnaires. Prospective data of registered sickness absence during 12 months follow-up were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. An imbalance between high efforts and low rewards (extrinsic hypothesis) was associated with longer sickness absence duration and more frequent absences. A low level of learning motivation (intrinsic hypothesis) was not associated with longer sickness absence duration but was significantly positively associated with sickness absence frequency. No significant results were obtained for the interaction hypothesis between imbalance and learning motivation. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of the impact of psychosocial work conditions and personal resources on both sickness absence duration and frequency. Specifically, attention could be given to optimizing or reducing efforts spent at work, increasing rewards and stimulating learning motivation to influence sickness absence.

Public perceptions of teachers’ status in Flanders

In recent years, the perception in Flanders has been that teachers enjoy little or no esteem from the average citizen. On the basis of a representative sample of 982 Flemings between the ages of 18 and 71 years old, this article investigates whether or not this feeling is really present and what factors contribute to it. The following questions are dealt with in turn: what esteem does the public have for teachers, and how highly does it place their occupational status? The results of this survey show that the teacher enjoys a positive image among most Flemings and can count on a high degree of esteem. The general public realizes that teaching is a demanding occupation that has changed drastically in recent decades. In comparison with the 1970s, there is no drop in status for teachers, although the profession suffers from status inconsistency. The observation that personal experiences have a clear influence on esteem for teaching places a certain degree of responsibility on the teachers themselves. Indeed, they have this esteem largely in their own hands, and can improve it. Satisfaction with education, the well‐being of the pupils, the assumption of the role of child‐raiser, and the involvement and interest of parents—these are all aspects that the teacher can realize by the way in which he or she deals with pupils and their parents. Armed with the results of this study, they can also contribute to destroying the myth that society has no esteem for teachers.

Teacher Education Graduates' Choice (Not) to Enter the Teaching Profession: Does Teacher Education Matter?.

In an era of recurring teacher shortages, Flanders struggles with a considerable proportion of teacher education graduates who do not enter the teaching profession. This study identifies the predictors of teacher education graduates’ choice on job entry (teaching profession or not). A prospective research design with two data collection phases is adopted. Student teachers (subsequently graduates) (N = 217) of integrated teacher training for secondary education were surveyed shortly before as well as shortly after graduation. Results of chi-squared and t-tests indicate that gender, initial motivation for teaching, mentor support, teacher education preparation, teacher efficacy, learner-oriented beliefs, performance in teacher education, and employment opportunities show differences (at 1% level) between graduates who entered and those who did not enter the teaching profession. Results of the subsequent logistic regression validate the importance of teacher education (i.e. mentor support) – beside initial motivation and labour market factors – to explain graduates’ decision on job entry.

Teacher training for secondary education and graduates' entrance into the teaching profession

This study focuses on the relationship between teacher education and graduates’ intended and actual entrance into teaching. Moreover, it explores how this relationship differs for two types of initial teacher training for secondary education. A hypothetical model of graduates’ entrance into the teaching profession comprising empirically grounded variables was developed. Besides teacher education related variables, other factors (e.g., motivation and labour market) were included. Data for this study were based on a sample of 370 graduates qualified for teaching in secondary education. Logistic regression analysis indicates that intention to enter teaching, preparedness for teaching, employment opportunities and type of teacher training explain 43% of the variance in actual entrance into teaching. Furthermore, path analysis was applied to test the hypothetical pattern of (inter)relationships between the variables. Results are largely consistent across the two types of teacher training showing a small, although statistically significant, contribution of teacher education above other antecedents of graduates’ intention to enter teaching.

Uncovering a hidden professional agenda for teacher educators: A mixed method study on Flemish teacher educators and their professional development

Abstract Taking into account the pressing need to understand more about what teacher educators’ professional development characterises, this article adopts a mixed method approach to explore Flemish (Dutch-speaking part of Belgium) teacher educators’ professional development needs and opportunities. Analysis results of a large-scale survey study with 611 teacher educators and analysis of five qualitative focus groups (with 24 teacher educators) are presented. The results confirm the lack of attention for teacher educators’ professional development in the Flemish teacher education system. Moreover, the findings indicate a structural need for participation in professional development activities that are linked to teacher educators’ own practices, organised as long-term sustainable professional development trajectories, and formally recognised. To conclude, a professional development agenda for research, policy and practices related to teacher educators’ professional development is discussed.