Th Theo Wubbels

Experienced teacher learning within the context of reciprocal peer coaching

A considerable amount of literature on peer coaching suggests that the professional development of teachers can be improved through experimentation, observation, reflection, the exchange of professional ideas, and shared problem‐solving. Reciprocal peer coaching provides teachers with an opportunity to engage in such activities in an integrated form. Even though empirical evidence shows effects of peer coaching and teacher satisfaction about coaching, the actual individual professional development processes have not been studied extensively. This article offers a way to analyse and categorize the learning processes of teachers who take part in a reciprocal peer coaching trajectory by using the Interconnected Model of Teacher Professional Growth as an analytical tool. Learning is understood as a change in the teacher’s cognition and/or behaviour. The assumption underlying the Interconnected Model of Teacher Professional Growth is that change occurs in four distinct domains that encompass the teacher’s professional world: the personal domain, the domain of practice, the domain of consequence and the external domain. Change in one domain does not always lead to change in another, but when changes over domains do occur, different change patterns can be described. Repeated multiple data collection methods were used to obtain a rich description of patterns of change of four experienced secondary school teachers. The data sources were: audiotapes of coaching conferences, audiotapes of semi‐structured learning interviews by telephone, and digital diaries with teacher reports of learning experiences. Qualitative analysis of the three data sources resulted in two different types of patterns: including the external domain and not including the external domain. Patterns of change within a context of reciprocal peer coaching do not necessarily have to include reciprocal peer coaching activities. When, however, patterns do include the external reciprocal peer coaching domain, this is often part of a change process in which reactive activities in the domains of practice and consequence are involved as well. These patterns often demonstrate more complex processes of change.

Perceptions of Asian-American and Hispanic-American teachers and their students on teacher interpersonal communication style

The study investigated the relationship of teacher and student ethnic background to their perceptions of teacher interpersonal behaviour. It is theoretically linked to research on multicultural education and teacher interpersonal communication styles. Perceptions of 27 Asian-American and Hispanic-American teachers and their students in culturally diverse high schools were gathered by means of questionnaires and structured interviews. Teachers had more favourable perceptions of their own behaviour than their students did. Student and teacher ethnic background had a small but significant impact on students’ perceptions of their teachers. Interview data provided some evidence that concepts studied in relation to the cultural dimensions of communication, such as respect from students, closeness, and identification of students with their teachers, are helpful in explaining the relationship between ethnic background and perceptions of students and teachers. The results merit further research into the effects of culture on perceptions and provide recommendations for improvements in culturally responsive education.

The Effects of a Pre‐service Teacher Education Program for the Preparation of Reflective Teachers

Abstract The aim of the present study was to establish whether a program designed primarily to promote reflective teaching among prospective teachers does produce teachers who differ from teachers educated in a more traditional subject‐matter‐oriented program. We carried out an investigation into whether graduates of the ‘reflective program’ have a more reflective attitude, better interpersonal relationships with students or a more adequate perception of those relationships, or show a greater inclination towards innovation and a higher level of job satisfaction.

Diagnosing and improving the quality of teachers’ interpersonal behaviour

Due to increased external, societal pressure on schools via developments such as accountability and accreditation, there is a growing need of schools for instruments that provide them with information on the quality of the teaching and learning processes they organize. This paper presents an instrument that can be used to diagnose teachers’ interpersonal skills, one element of teaching quality that may be of interest to schools. The instrument is based on the theory of interpersonal communication of Timothy Leary. Apart from a discussion of the theoretical framework behind the instrument, the paper presents information on the instrument itself and procedures for using the instrument with teachers and students. Also, information is provided on possibilities of using the instrument for staff development and other purposes of schools. The instrument appears to be of high quality and is accompanied by a large database of information linking it to other factors in the classroom context.

Cultural influences on students' perceptions of videotaped lessons

This study investigated the effect of students’ cultural background on their perceptions of videotaped teacher behavior. Earlier research was not able to determine if behaviors perceived differently by students from various cultural groups were caused by dissimilar teacher treatment or differences with respect to students’ norms, values, and needs. By keeping teacher behavior constant, further evidence was sought for the second of these two possible causes. Seventy-eight students in four cultural groups (Asian-American, Hispanic-American, African-American and White-American) watched four video lesson segments and completed a questionnaire on interpersonal teacher behavior. Asian-American students felt the teachers displayed more uncertainty than their peers from other ethnic groups, while students mainly speaking Spanish at home perceived more helpful, friendly and understanding behavior. The outcomes provide further support for the assumption that students’ perceptions are influenced by their cultural background.

Physics a problem for girls, or girls a problem for physics ?

A contribution is made to the discussion of how science in general, and physics in particular, can be made more interesting and attractive to girls. Members of the PLON‐project have been working for five years on a new curriculum for higher forms of havo (intermediate secondary education) consisting of 10 units. On the basis of evaluation results, girls’ appreciation of the new curriculum can be related to specific subject areas and contexts. Since girls’ reactions have been encouraging we can now draw some general conclusions and relate these to features of the havo curriculum. These features suggest some ways in which girls’ interest in and liking for physics can be stimulated and we compare them with proposals made in the literature about the subject.

Exploring beginning teachers’ attrition in the Netherlands

Abstract Based on a review of recent studies and reports, this research investigates attrition among beginning teachers in the Netherlands as well as reasons for teacher attrition, and compares the finding with studies on this topic conducted elsewhere in the world. The findings suggest that attrition among beginning teachers in the Netherlands with a percentage close to 15% is somewhat lower than in countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. Yet, causes for attrition are comparable to those reported elsewhere. Interestingly, attrition seemed lower for teachers with a teaching degree, suggesting that teacher education may play a vital role in reducing attrition. In addition, it seems that high-quality coaching and supervision, reducing workload, and organizing a social network for beginning teachers may be important factors in reducing attrition. Finally, there is a need for better registration and monitoring of teacher attrition and for more comprehensive research on this topic.

The interpersonal dimension in the classroom : a model of teachers' interpersonal role identity, appraisal and teacher-student relationships

In this chapter, a model to understand teachers’ professional identity, appraisals and behaviours in the classroom is presented and illustrated with empirical data. It is argued that the comparison between interpersonal identity standards and interpersonal appraisals of classroom situations results in two types of emotions experienced by teachers. One type of emotion is the direct result of teachers’ interpretations of, and coping with, specific classroom events whereby their emotions are part of the appraisal process of situations and evaluated in the light of their interpersonal role identity standards. The second type of emotion emerges as a result of tensions or dilemmas of prolonged differences between appraisals and identity standards. It is argued that the Teacher Interpersonal Identity Role and Appraisal model is helpful for both researchers and practitioners to better understand, recognise and support beginning (and experienced) teachers with emotions that occur in the classroom, and to help stimulate both their personal as well as professional development.