What Is Teacher Professional Development?

Teacher professional development refers to the process by which teachers, as professionals, continue to develop and improve in terms of professional thinking, professional knowledge, and professional ability, that is, the process from novice teachers to expert teachers. The connotation of teacher professional development mainly includes: (1) teacher professional development first emphasizes that teachers are individuals with unlimited potential and sustainable development; (2) teacher professional development requires teachers to be regarded as "professionals"; (3) professional development of teachers Teachers are required to become learners, researchers and collaborators; (4) Teachers' professional development requires teachers to have autonomy in development. The independent development of teachers emphasizes the development of the individuality and specialty of individual teachers, so that the individual's potential can be brought into full play.

Teacher professional development refers to the process by which teachers, as professionals, continue to develop and improve in terms of professional thinking, professional knowledge, and professional ability, that is, the process from novice teachers to expert teachers. The connotation of teacher professional development mainly includes: (1) teacher professional development first emphasizes that teachers are individuals with unlimited potential and sustainable development; (2) teacher professional development requires teachers to be regarded as "professionals"; (3) professional development of teachers Teachers are required to become learners, researchers and collaborators; (4) Teachers' professional development requires teachers to have autonomy in development. The independent development of teachers emphasizes the development of the individuality and specialty of individual teachers, so that the individual's potential can be brought into full play.

Chinese name

Teacher professional development

Applied discipline

psychology

Application range

Educational psychology

Implications of Teacher Professional Development

Teacher professional development refers to the process by which teachers, as professionals, continue to develop and improve in terms of professional thinking, professional knowledge, and professional ability, that is, the process from novice teachers to expert teachers. The connotation of teacher professional development mainly includes: (1) teacher professional development first emphasizes that teachers are individuals with unlimited potential and sustainable development; (2) teacher professional development requires teachers to be regarded as "professionals"; (3) professional development of teachers Teachers are required to become learners, researchers and collaborators; (4) Teachers' professional development requires teachers to have autonomy in development. The independent development of teachers emphasizes the development of the individuality and specialty of individual teachers, so that the individual's potential can be brought into full play. ^[1]

Characteristics of Teacher Professional Development

First, diversity. Colleges and universities have always been a base for renewing knowledge and creating knowledge. In addition to carrying a steady stream of talents for the society, teachers also carry out scientific research in professional fields. The complexity of teacher work determines the diversity of teacher professional development.

Second, autonomy. Due to the high requirements of teachers in the reform of colleges and universities, the level of teachers' education is generally high, and as the birthplace of knowledge renewal and innovation, teachers have easier access to the frontiers of education and academic development. Relatively speaking, this innate advantage is more Can help promote the professional development of teachers. In addition, teachers' teaching targets are college students with active thinking and energetic spirits. They have a strong sense of innovation and thinking ability, and are more apt to accept new ideas and knowledge, prompting teachers to continue to accept new things, continuously pursue cutting-edge knowledge, and expand knowledge. Field, broaden horizons. In addition, the era background of the learning society makes the society of life-long learning concept universally valued, and teachers have become direct practitioners. All these factors have prompted teachers to learn independently, take an active part in learning and training in various ways, and continue to promote their professional development.

Third, persistence. On the one hand, teacher professional development is a continuous, step-by-step, dynamic process. On the other hand, teacher professional development runs through the teacher's entire career. ^[2]

Teacher Professional Development Structure

(1) Professional philosophy; (2) Professional knowledge; (3) Professional ability; (4) Professional attitude and motivation.

Effective Approaches to Teacher Professional Development

(1) Lifelong learning: the prerequisite guarantee for professional development of teachers;

(2) Action research: the basic approach to teacher professional development;

(3) Teaching reflection: the only way for teachers' professional growth;

(4) Peer assistance: an effective method for professional growth of teachers;

(5) Professional leadership: important conditions for professional growth of teachers;

(6) Project research: an effective carrier for teachers' professional growth. ^[3]