Catering to the Training Needs of 21st Century Teachers
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Teacher training is an integral part of any system of education. Teaching professionals
should ensure their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to become competent
teachers who are capable of delivering lessons to the students in the best way possible.
The objective of the study was to figure out the gaps between desired training needs and
the actual training delivered to teachers. The study was carried out using a selfadministrated online survey. Fifty-seven (57) responses were received (93%-female, 7%
male). Sixteen percent of the participants were satisfied with the training programs they
had received so far while 11% of them were not satisfied and 74% were moderate. Five
key characteristics of the desired training programs of the participants were figured out;
Less monotonous nature (45.6%), Lack of repetition (42.1%), Updated knowledge to be
delivered (31.6%), clear objectives (28.1%) sound preparation (26.3%). A focused group
discussion was carried out with the participation of five education professionals to
suggest recommendations to meet the desired training of the teachers in relation to the
survey results. It was found out that teacher trainers should be updated, qualified, and preprepared. It was also noted that teacher trainers should have better communication with
their co-trainers to make sure that repetition is avoided. A need for a network enabling
quality circles of all the types of trainers in a given zone or a province was highlighted. It
was also suggested that trainers should engage in action research and proper analysis of
feedback to meet the needs of trainees in upcoming training programs.
Keywords: Teacher trainer, Training needs, Education systems, Continuous Professional
Development (CPD)
Description
Keywords
Humanities & Social Sciences, Social Science, Education, Higher Education