An evaluation of a professional learning network for computer science teachers

Quintin Cutts, Judy Robertson, Peter Donaldson, Laurie O'Donnell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

This paper describes and evaluates aspects of a professional development programme for existing CS teachers in secondary schools (PLAN C) which was designed to support teachers at a time of substantial curricular change. The paper’s particular focus is on the formation of a teacher professional development network across several hundred teachers and a wide geographical area. Evidence from a series of observations and teacher surveys over a two-year period is analysed with respect to the project’s programme theory in order to illustrate not only whether it worked as intended, by why. Results indicate that the PLAN C design has been successful in increasing teachers’ professional confidence and appears to have catalysed powerful change in attitudes to learning. Presentation of challenging pedagogical content knowledge and conceptual frameworks, high-quality teacher-led professional dialogue, along with the space for reflection and classroom trials, triggered examination of the teachers’ own current practices.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-24
Number of pages24
JournalComputer Science Education
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Apr 2017

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • computer science education
  • teacher education
  • professional learning

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