Books about Professional Development - Annotated Bibliography Example

An annotated professional bibliography Books Loucks-Horsley, S., Stiles, K. E., Mundry, S., & Hewson, P. W. (Eds.). (2009). Designing professional development for teachers of science and mathematics. Corwin Press. Description This book is about the professional development of the mathematics and science teachers. The authors are exploring the need for continuous development of the capabilities of the teachers and teacher leadership. Strategic planning framework is crucial in coming up with the necessary skills for the teachers in mathematics and science. The school leaders are expected to have the necessary knowledge of ensuring professional development of the teachers with the aim of ensuring the best practices in teaching that are in line with the teacher theories for improving learning. Purpose The source aims at explaining how professional development embraces the culture of constant improvement and learning to gain the most current knowledge in the field. Like any other field, education system in Australia has been changing hence the need for continuous improvements. According to the authors, it is through the professional development that the teachers can be equipped with the most relevant skills in the industry. The book embraces the need for quality professional development models that are aimed at enhancing the learning experience. Through continuous development, the teachers can be able to gain the necessary skills that are important in improving the learning experience of the students. Relevance The book explores the professional improvements in the school learning through developing the best education frameworks for improving the learning experience of the learners. The authors of the book noted the instructions that the mathematics and science teachers are expected to use in the course of enhancing the service delivery to the learners. This source can improve my professionalism through gaining the necessary knowledge concerning how to ensure effective learning. Townsend, T., & Bates, R. (Eds.). (2007). Handbook of teacher education. Springer. Description This book explores the ways of preparing the Australian teachers for a changing world by ensuring that they have relevant skills. Preparing teachers involves equipping them with the necessary skills that can help in improving the quality of education. The education system in Australia has been changing over time due to improving service delivery as the government of Australia has been looking for the best ways to ensure that learning is enhanced. The process of preparing teachers entails focusing on training while coming up with the most appropriate programs that can improve the learning experience. Purpose The purpose of the book is to explore why teachers need an environment that can ensure proper preparation for the changing world. Developing a supportive environment can help in coming up with the best practices that can improve the quality of the teaching services offered. Keeping pace with the trend in the education globally is the key in coming up with the best programs that are relevant to learning and pedagogical practice. The mission of the education sector in Australia is to promote the service delivery and ensure high-quality learning services. In Australia, this has been possible through constant upgrading of the education system to suit the changes taking place in the education sector globally. Relevance The two authors have argued that establishing a supportive environment for the teachers and students can be crucial in coming up with the most appropriate teaching programs. The authors noted the need for engaging the stakeholders in the process of coming up with the best and relevant teaching practices. This source can improve my professionalism through equipping me with the best ways to ensure professionalism in teaching to improve students learning. Academic journal articles Stoll, L., Bolam, R., McMahon, A., Wallace, M., & Thomas, S. (2006). Professional learning communities: A review of the literature. Journal of educational change, 7(4), 221-258. Description The article is about the continuous professional development and its impacts on the learning experience of the learners in Australia. Professional development is crucial in improving the practice and to ensure professional culture in teaching. The authors have explored the roles that are being played by the professional organizations in equipping the teachers with the most appropriate skills. However, the authors have pointed out the need for motivation to the teachers to ensure improvements in their profession. The motivation can include the support from the government and the expected benefits. Purpose The book is aimed at providing the argument that there are some barriers that exist in the professional improvements that can include the lack of the necessary encouragement and financial constraints. According to the article, the teachers trying to develop the profession need to be encouraged and also the necessary financial support where the lack of the support and financial implications are among the primary challenges. The authors have explored the need for being innovative in the process of enhancing professional development. In the Australian education system, innovation has been the driving force where the practitioners are looking for the best ways of enhancing the learning experience. Relevance The source explores how learning has changed as learners in Australia are looking for the most efficient and learning methods that can enhance their learning experience. According to the article, there is the need to adopt technology in improving the learning experience. This source can improve my teaching practice through learning the need for embracing professional culture. Kennedy, A. (2005). Models of continuing professional development: a framework for analysis. Journal of in-service education, 31(2), 235-250. Description The journal is about the growing interest of professional development. For instance, many practitioners in Australia are working towards enhancing the service delivery. According to the author, Australia is among the leading countries in education developments that have been possible through quality strategies in education. The government is working towards making sure that the quality of education is improved and that Australia remains competitive in terms of education services globally. According to the journal the professional development is among the best strategies that can make Australia competitive in the education sector. Purpose The source aims at explaining continuous professional development as among the primary areas that have been of great concerns. According to the source many practitioners are equipping themselves with the necessary skills that can enhance their expertise. The author argues that it is only through the improvements in the skills and knowledge in teaching that the set objectives of the government can be achieved. Training forms an important part of the professional improvement process where the practitioners can be equipped with the most recent expertise in the field. The learning in Australia is changing as the learning institutions are looking for the best ways of enhancing the experience of the students. Relevance The source explores how the learning institutions have engaged in a stiff competition in the process of looking for the best ways of meeting the demands of the learners. This source can improve my professionalism by improving my knowledge and skills in teaching with the aim of enhancing the learning experience of the students. Professional journal articles Hordern, J. (2016). Regions and their relations: Sustaining authoritative professional knowledge. Journal of Education and Work, 29(4), 427-449. Description The journal is about the sustenance of the professional knowledge. Sustaining knowledge can be possible through developing the necessary models for ensuring constant updates of the knowledge. According to the author, knowledge can only be sustained through research aimed at keeping pace with the changes. However, the primary ways of seeking knowledge are research and training where the professionals with the ambitions of enhancing their knowledge can embrace research. Purpose The purpose of the source is to explore how professional knowledge has great contributions in the development of the necessary framework for improving professionalism in learning. A different body of knowledge are being developed to help in ensuring that education in Australia is enhanced. Meeting the requirements of the practice is among the primary roles of the professional knowledge as the quality of education in Australia is very important. This journal is focused on exploring how knowledge can be transformed and appropriated with the aim of meeting the major requirements of the practice of ensuring quality. The professional knowledge needs to be aligned with the learning needs of the education sector to ensure relevant improvements. The sustenance of the professional knowledge can then be assured by constant improvements of knowledge that is relevant in the market. Relevance The author discusses why maintaining the validity of the knowledge is paramount in the professional education where the developments need to be viewed in terms of professionalism. This source can improve my professionalism through identifying the learning needs that are crucial in making sure that the professionalism in the industry is achieved through providing the relevant knowledge. Hurlimann, A. C. (2009). Responding to environmental challenges: an initial assessment of higher education curricula needs by Australian planning professionals. Environmental education research, 15(6), 643-659. Description The journal is about the professional decision-making to the development of the higher education curricula and addressing the possible challenges. The planners of the education system in Australia are facing some challenges due to the environmental issues like climate change. These environmental issues include the human settlements that affect the service delivery. The author has noted that there is the need for environmental education research in the process of establishing the necessary strategies that can be employed in the process of enhancing the education sector. Purpose The journal aims at addressing the need for the Australian planning professionals to conduct a survey necessary for addressing the environmental issues challenging education improvements. It is through the survey that the solution can be identified and the gaps that are existing in knowledge filled. According to the author engaging the different stakeholders in the industry can be crucial in the process of addressing the challenges. The education planners need to ensure that the stakeholders are given the necessary opportunity to give their opinions concerning the best ways of improving the service delivery despite the environmental challenges. The journal has explored the different ways that can be employed in the process of responding to the environmental challenges in education. Relevance The author explains why independent inquiry and critical thinking are important in addressing the environmental challenges hence ensuring the development of the profession despite the challenges. The author noted that the interests of the relevant stakeholders are crucial in the process of coming up with the most effective and appropriate strategies for improving the quality of the learning experience. This source can improve students learning through developing resistance to the challenges in learning. Websites Allingham, P. V., & Belanger, J. Transferring from Elementary to Secondary School English: A Case Study of the Mentoring Support Required by a Teacher in Transition and a Research Proposal Based on the Study. Retrieved from: http://faculty.educ.ubc.ca/belanger/htamy.htm Description The website is presenting a case study that explores the challenges faced by the teachers in the process of meeting the professional learning needs. The lack of resources is said to be the major cause of the challenges in the process of improving the learning services. Resources are crucial to improving the learning experience as learners and teachers rely on the available resources in schools to enhance learning. Besides, the mentoring support has been another challenge that has been facing schools as the learners need to be mentored. Purpose The source is aimed at explaining the relationship existing between the student and the teacher is important in determining the level of mentorship. The failure to establish the necessary relationship between the teachers and the learners can easily result in poor mentorship hence negatively affecting the learning experience. The knowledge concerning the challenges facing the students learning can be important in improving my professionalism. This is because I can ensure that I develop the necessary strategies that can help in addressing the challenges. The classroom activities are primarily determined the availability of the necessary resources and the relationship existing between the teacher and the students. Relevance The source explores how interactive learning can be can be crucial in improving learning in schools. It is through the interactive learning that the students can be in a position to seek clarifications during learning hence ensuring effective learning. This source can improve my professionalism through establishing an effective mentoring program can be crucial in the process of enhancing performance and improving the learning. Santoro, N. (2015). The drive to diversify the teaching profession: narrow assumptions, hidden complexities. Race Ethnicity and Education, 18(6), 858-876. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13613324.2012.759934 Description The website is about the management of diversity that has been existing in the teaching profession. According to the author of the website, the ability to manage the diversity among the learners is important in improving the learning experience of the learners. The failure to properly manage the diversity can lead to the poor learning experience as learners have different learning needs hence through the management of the diversities the individual learning need can easily be understood. Purpose The source aims at exploring why the increased cultural diversity has led to changes in the teaching profession where teachers need to consider the diversities existing in terms of the learning needs of the students. Many Australian schools are now incorporating diversity management in the management of the student population to manage the differences existing among the learners. According to the author of the website, the cultural practices and beliefs are causing some challenges in meeting the learning needs of the students. Besides, the differences affect the relationship hence challenging interactive student learning in classrooms. The school's curricula have to consider the cultural diversity existing among the learners with the aim of developing the best programs to meet the diverse needs of the learners. Relevance Using this source I can be in a position to develop my profession through learning how to manage diversity among the learners with the aim of improving the learning experience of the students and meet their individual learning needs. This source can help in improving the students learning by delivering learning services that are in line with the needs of the students. Read More