Effect of in-service teachers trainings on professional development of teachers in an area with visual impairment
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Date
2023-12-05
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UMT Lahore
Abstract
In-service teachers‘ training is crucial to a teacher‘s success as well as the overall effectiveness of the institution. This study aimed to ascertain how special education teachers, in the field of visual impairment, perceive the effect of in-service teacher training on professional development. The general consensus is that certain in-service teachers‘ trainings can significantly enhance teachers' performance in terms of their professional expertise, training, and experience. To gather data for the study, the researchers used a self-developed survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed after deep literature review on seven components of the professional development framework. These components focus on content, active learning, support for collaboration, models for effective practice, coaching and expert support, feedback and reflection and assessment. A 4 point Likert scale with extent range strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree was used. Total 155 teachers working in the field of visual impairment and 60 heads working with the teachers of visual impairment field were selected conveniently to contribute in the quantitative research. The researcher employed mean, average mean frequency, and percentages. T-Test and ANOVA was used for the analysis of demographic variables of the questionnaire on respondents' age, qualification, and teaching experience.
The proposed analysis of this study exposed that the majority of the special education teachers of students with visual impairment showed a positive attitude towards teachers training for their professional development. Findings of the study revealed the positive effect of in-service teachers training on the professional development of teachers and reveals that the development of specific skills necessary for working with students who have visual impairments should be the focus of targeted training offered by ITTs. This includes enhancing mobility and orientation abilities, as well as fostering literacy, reading, and writing abilities. Braille skills can also be improved through software and hands-on practice. The study also revealed the positive perception of teachers regarding their professional growth.