Understanding the complexity of teacher interaction in a teacher professional learning community

Abstract

In this study, we examine a professional learning community of primary school teachers developing a joint school-based curriculum for science and technology (S&T) education. Team meetings were observed over the course of one school year and the participating teachers and school head were interviewed. An essential factor in the team’s collaboration was its ability to achieve synthesis, that is, the extent to which the teachers were able to abstract from concrete experiences in S&T education in order to formulate and develop a shared vision and curriculum. They exchanged many examples and were able to create a shared idea highlighting critical elements in their approach to teaching this school subject. However, the teachers experienced difficulties in determining the level at which a school-based curriculum should be defined. The outcomes of this team’s collaboration are discussed in terms of leadership and the aims of the S&T innovation.

Keywords:

• professional development
• teacher collaboration
• science and technology education

Notes

1. Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Maria Montessori. The approach emphasises independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical and social development.

2. VTB stands for ‘Verbreding Techniek Basisonderwijs’, in English: Broadening Technology Education in Primary Education.