Whither teacher development – stubborn continuity or winds of change?

Dr. P. N. Ramani

English Studies Consultant

Keywords: Teacher development, Issues in teacher training, In-service training


Abstract

After an in-service programme is over, the organizers try to judge the impact of the programme by trying to find out, generally through a questionnaire, whether the teacher participants are willing and able to use the ‘materials and methods’ ‘recommended’ to them on the programme. Some teachers may adopt the ‘new’ methods and materials for a while after they have had the ‘exposure’, but most of them, sooner or later, slide back into their ‘normal’, pre-programme practices.  They return to their respective institutions only to develop feelings of confusion, insecurity, inadequacy, and often guilt.  The purpose of this article is to examine the possible effects of teacher training programmes on the participants of such programmes and to emphasize the need to re-evaluate the assumptions that have traditionally guided teacher education, training and development efforts.


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