Teachers’ professional learning goals in relation to teaching experience

Monika L. Louws*, Klaas van Veen, Jacobiene A. Meirink, Jan H. van Driel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In this study, we explored the relationships between teachers’ self-articulated professional learning goals and their teaching experience. Although those relationships seem self-evident, in programmes for teachers’ professional development years of teaching experience are hardly taken into account. Sixteen teachers with varying years of experience and subjects were interviewed. The results show different learning goals, related to communication and organisation, curriculum and instruction, innovation, responsibilities, and themselves as professional. Various relationships between learning goals and teaching experience emerged, which clearly reflect the development from early- to mid- and late-career teachers. Issues related to curriculum and instruction appeared to be learning goals for early- and mid-career teachers. This implies that regardless of increasing teaching expertise, curriculum and instruction remain central to teachers’ continuous learning. Late-career teachers were interested in learning about extra-curricular tasks and innovations. Models of professional life phases have been used to interpret these results.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)487-504
Number of pages18
JournalEuropean Journal of Teacher Education
Volume40
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Aug 2017

Keywords

  • Professional development
  • school-based teacher education
  • secondary school teachers
  • teacher development

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