Professional Development through On-line CoPs: A Case Study of EFL Teachers in China

Ping Wangs4109281@student.uq.edu.au

17 August 2007

OverviewOverview The issuesThe issues Literature reviewLiterature review Research DesignResearch Design ConclusionConclusion

The issues and significanceThe issues and significance The issuesThe issues English teacher professional English teacher professional

development needsdevelopment needs The significanceThe significance

Transformative learningTransformative learning Mezirow (2000)Mezirow (2000) Boyd (1988)Boyd (1988) Freire (1998)Freire (1998)

Three elements of transformative learningThree elements of transformative learning Reflection Reflection Dewey (1933) Schon(1983)Dewey (1933) Schon(1983) Interaction in social contextInteraction in social context

Models of Professional Development Models of Professional Development (PD)(PD)

Training model Transformative

CoP model

Observation model

Individual guided model

Coaching/mentoring model

Inquiry model

InnovationTransformation

TrainingTransmission

On-line Communities of On-line Communities of Practice (CoPs)Practice (CoPs)

An example of on-line CoP An example of on-line CoP for PDfor PD

Research designResearch design ““A case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a A case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a

contemporary phenomenon within its real-life contextcontemporary phenomenon within its real-life context…” -- …” -- Yin Yin (2003 p.13)(2003 p.13)

Research siteResearch site and the participantsand the participants

Research site: one Chinese universityResearch site: one Chinese university The participants: The participants: 30 teachers for the survey30 teachers for the survey four teachers for the case studyfour teachers for the case study

Pre PDPre PDPDPDPost PDPost PD

ConclusionConclusion

Thank youThank you

Constructive suggestions are Constructive suggestions are appreciated!appreciated!