PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS:

On the threshold of new millennium, fast changes have occurred in the field of

socio-political and economic scenario. The breath of the challenges, demands and pace

of change make the present situation different then earlier years. The revolution of

information and communication technology has put new demand on the individual for

the acquisition of new knowledge and skills, not only in their day-to-day life, but also in

their respective occupational areas. The human kind repertoires of the knowledge in all

areas of study in also undergoing change rapidly through addition of new knowledge

and modification or obsolesces of existing knowledge. Like all other professions, the

profession of the teacher’s is also placing new demands on their competencies which

they shall be able to meet it they continue to update the upgrade and upgrade their

skills in tune with advancement in the content and pedagogy of their disciplines. The

teacher has to play different roles of the significance, discharging multiples functions

and performing a variety of the skillful tasks. In the contemporary context, the role of the

teacher has expanded from transmitter to knowledge to reflective practitioner, action

researcher, classroom manager, curriculum developer, lifelong learner, community

partner etc.

One of the most crucial challenges facing education today is the changing

characteristics of the students. In order to prepare students for an ever – changing

world, the teacher must be given the opportunities to deal with the impact created by

these changes, teachers education can no longer end with entry in to the profession. It

needs to be life – long education process that keep pace with the continuous changes

taking place. Students and teachers alike must become continuous life-long learners.

Teachers’ professional competence and commitment determine the quality of the

education to a great extent. Delores Commission (1996) has rightly emphasized that”

there is need to update and improve teacher’s knowledge. In – service education is a

good as the preservice education, even better for quality improvement”. In the context of

teaching being recognized as a profession, the life – long approach to professional

development must be embedded in a larger context of organizational improvement. It

should be driven by a clear, coherent strategic plan for each individual that focuses on

the student need, learning outcomes and on a combination of generic and context

specific skills. Teachers who have taken the responsibility of teaching children in school

should strive for their continuous professional development in the context of their own

needs, the needs of their students, goals of the schools and of the nation.

Teaching is a profession not a job: there is difference between a profession and a

job. A job is one, which can be accomplished with skills and dexterity in different

situations and sectors. The skills that one has acquired are such that can be used in a

variety of situations and sectors. These skills are not specifically confined to anyone

particular sector. For instance, a good typist is useful in many sectors. If he is good he

could work in a school, office, hospital, wherever he is necessary. While a teacher, a

doctor, an engineer or an advocate are those to have to work in a particular sector for

which they have been trained. They are professions and those who practice them are

professionals.

Professional development implies updating, strengthening and sharpening of the

professional competences and development of understanding and insights in different

process of a profession. Very rightly the international dictionary of adult and continuing

education(1990) has emphasized professional development ,” As resulting in persons,

being of greater use to the organization for which he works through the acquisition of

greater knowledge , skill and different attitudes.” An individual’s personality has many

facets like social, emotional, aesthetic, moral etc. He continuous to improve or

deteriorate in different dimensions of personality, which are interrelated and

interdependent as change in any one aspect is likely to impact many other aspects of

his personality. Professional dimension of an individual’s personality plays an important

role in shaping his overall personality. Therefore, professional development is essential

for the wholesome development of an individual’s personality and his functioning at the

optimum level...

Professional Development of Teachers – Why?

Profession by definition/ nature is development: Any profession is developmental in

nature as well as by definition. Development is essentially a part of any profession.

Therefore, the term “Profession” and “Development” are like two faces of the same coin.

Therefore no professing can exist without it being developmental in nature.

Any profession cannot stagnate: There cannot be stagnation in any, profession,

because, it cannot be called a profession if its stagnates and don’t develop.

Stagnated Practices die naturally: If any professional practice stagnates, it dies out

naturally. Stagnation cannot sustain for long as other professionals surpass stagnated

practitioners.

Dead Practitioners serve wrong models to their clients: the present day society is

choosy about useful specialists. Common man is a client wishes to approach a

specialist who is fully professional. Those practitioners who are dead professionally are

not respected in the society. So, the dead practitioners have no premium in the society

and obviously, they serve as wrong models to their client in the society.

Dead Practitioners are ineffective: Since, dead practitioners serve wrong models in

the society, they become ineffective or vice versa too. In essence, they are ineffective

and irrelevant to any society.

Dead Practitioners become irrelevant and burden to the society: Since, dead

practitioners became irrelevant to any society; they become burden to the society.

For all the above logical reasons Professional development becomes a must. Any

individual who gets into any profession need to understand the expectations and

challenges of the profession and plan to be trained in it accordingly. Any training in the

absence of this understanding becomes not only wastage but also a liability. Thus when

one gets into a profession, he must understand the expectations of the profession and

enter. Ideally, there should not be any reversion. However, the rate of the growth may

vary. It also becomes necessary to understand how a professional development can be

achieved.

Professional Development of Teachers –How?

Some of the strategies proposed in the western context, include peer coaching, Study

groups, Dialogue Journals, Professional Development Portfolios, Mentoring and

Participatory Practitioner Research.

Peer coaching: This is an activity where pair of teachers (who have been trained to do

so) visit each other’s classes and provide each other with insights and advise on their

teaching. This includes three phase model covering planning, Observation and

feedback.

Study groups: Here teachers should engage themselves in two ways. One by

reviewing professional’s literature and the other by analyzing samples of students work.

According to Brichal et al. (1998) Teachers Group structure their interactions around

scripts or agendas called protocols and use lesson plan or samples of student work as

input for discussion. If study groups are visualized above can work, it can be very

effective.

Diologue Journals: they play a very important role for language teachers. Peyton

(1993) holds the view that dialouge journals are conversations in writing. Here, the

content of writings is technical issues. Normally who cannot meet their colleagues or

professional friends for various reason can use this to share and reflect on their

practices and innovations. This professional’s acceptance and endorsement can really

bolster the morale of a practitioner.

Mentoring: According to Diaz-Maggioli (2003) Mentoring is a process, which brings

together a more knowledgeable professional with a less experienced colleague for

collaboration and feedback on teaching and learning. Mentors provide advice, support,

encouragement and modeling for their mentee whom in turn provide mentors with

opportunities to use and reflect on their expertise. Mentoring relationships work best

when structured and developed over time. They are particularly suited to beginning

teachers, who need to understand issues such as school culture, and climate and their

impact or student learning.

Practitioners Research: Popularly known as action Research is reflective practice of

practitioners undertaken to enhance ones professional’s skills. This in indeed an

effective technique, which can enable teachers to become more effective, leading one

to self emancipation.

Attending workshops and generating new knowledge: Every professional needs to

look for opportunities where he/she can become an agents of change, generate new

knowledge, may be by attending different development – oriented workshops. It could

be development of new syllabi, teaching – learning material, (TLM) teaching aids,

evaluation techniques etc

Attending Training Programmes, Learning New things related to both content and methodology: It is equally important to attend to training programmers where one will

have the opportunity of learning new things in both content and methodology. This

learner’s attitude and volition are necessary for one to grow.

By attending Seminars, symposiums and conferences: Any practitioner can develop

himself/herself if he/ she has the inclination of sharing his/her innovations,

experimentation of research attempts before a set of professional peers. This provides a

platform to subject ones experience and outputs to professionals scrutiny. This also

enables one to modify ones way of thinking and develop a sense of professional’s

perspective. In this bargain one also gets an opportunity of listening to others too. This

surely enables Professionals development.

By sending entries to state/National level competitions about innovate practices: Innovative practices need to be documented as well as disseminated .These

documented innovations can also reach state and national levels competitions, which

can earn recognition. This is another source of keeping alive the motivation level of a

professional. This is the right direction of professional development.

By becoming a member of professional organizations/bodies: Affiliation to

professional bodies enables professionals to be able to update the latest in the field, this

becomes a prerequisite. Therefore, all professionals need to know the existence of

professional bodies and affiliate with them. This can lead to the professionals

development.

By subscribing to national/ regional level journals/Periodicals:

Different institutions and professionals bodies bring out many journals at national,

regional, local level focusing on different concerns. New ideas and issues are presented

for dissemination. As professionals we will have many things to learn from such write

ups. Therefore, by subscribing to such journals and periodicals we can update our

knowledge with the latest development in the field. A professional getting specialized in

a particular area can select journals and periodicals of his choice and subscribe to

them. This can be one of the best methods to grow professionally.

By developing healthy reading habits: Healthy habits of all those things, which can

make a professionals grow, are to be seriously pursued. A professional is an eternal

learner, he/she know different sources , which can provide him/her, rich source of

information that can enable him/her to go strong.

By Developing Professional Network with fellow Professionals: A professional

develops a network, of fellow professionals by way of being in touch with them, sharing

of latest with them , trying to exchange ideas , seeking co-operation, collaboration, etc.

this is possible at all levels . A serious minded professional does keep a high premium

on this.

By contributing, Papers, articles and books to professional publications: Any

professional will attempt to also write articles, papers, book reviews, and research

reports and concept papers, in professional publications. This will not only sharpen their

intellect, but also can break the monotony and boredom in the routine activities and give

some freshness.

Professional development of teachers can take place, if the practitioners

want to be a professional. No amount of external pressure can do any magic. It has to

come from within. If teachers can be professionals, there can be a better world

tomorrow.

To Sum Up

Teachers have a moral responsibility of being professional, develop professional

perspectives in their profession and remain professionals in their career. Professional

development is possible and all teachers need to become better and better in order to

serve the course of education whichever level one serves. One can hope that.

Professional development activities of teachers will catch the imagination and attention

of all those who matter in education differently from ones currently followed now.

Er. Manmeet Singh

Chairman, REC