Developing collaborative approaches to enhance the professional development of primary mathematics teachers

Abstract

This research project promoted a collaborative model of professional development between lead teachers from three schools, supported by a project coordinator and a researcher from a local university. Each lead teacher worked with their head teacher to design, lead, and evaluate an innovative, personalised, and school-based mathematics continuing professional development (CPD) programme in their school. University staff helped to facilitate project meetings across the schools and monitored impacts within each school. Professional development meetings, involving all teachers and teaching assistants (TAs) from the schools (n = 55), were designed to encourage a whole-school approach. The project also provided structured opportunities for the lead teacher to work with colleagues in the classroom, for example, through lesson observation and/or collaborative teaching. The outcomes from this project confirmed that collaborative models of CPD, as opposed to transmission, formal training, and ‘top-down’ models, were welcomed by teachers and head teachers – some of whom reported early indications of improvements in student performance. Commenting on what constitutes the most effective forms of CPD, there was a reiteration of the importance of combining peer and external support through a collaborative process.

Keywords:

• continuing professional development
• collaborative approaches
• primary mathematics
• context model

Notes

1. Although we often use the terms ‘trainer and trainee’, we acknowledge that in some circumstances a more appropriate description might be ‘mentor and mentee’, or even ‘coach and coached’. Each of these terms is used at certain points in this paper, reflecting the nuanced nature of the roles adopted.

2. We note that in November 2013, after the culmination of the project, ACME published new guidance on the features of effective CPD in mathematics (ACME 2013), which includes a section specifically focused on the benefits of collaborative approaches.