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Meaningful time for professional growth or a waste of time? A study in five countries on teachers’ experiences within master’s dissertation/thesis work

Kowalczuk-Walędziak, M., Lopez, A., Underwood, J., Daniela, L. and Clipa, O. (2020) Meaningful time for professional growth or a waste of time? A study in five countries on teachers’ experiences within master’s dissertation/thesis work. Teaching Education. 31(4), pp. 459-479. 1047-6210.

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Underwood_James_Taylor&Francis_2019_Meaningful_time_for_professional_growth_or_a_waste_of_time_A_study_in_five_countries_on_teachers_experiences_within_masters_dissertation-thesis_work
Underwood_James_Taylor_Francis_2019_Meaningful_time_for_professional_growth_or_a_waste_of_time_A_study_in_five_countries_on_teachers_experiences_within_masters_dissertation_thesis_work.pdf - Accepted Version
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Abstract:
The relationship between master’s thesis work and teachers’ professional development has rarely been explored empirically, yet. Drawing upon a larger study, this paper investigates how teachers who were studying for or who have recently graduated from Master of Education programmes offered in five countries – Poland, Portugal, England, Latvia, Romania – perceive the usefulness of dissertation/thesis work for their professional development and how they attempt to use their MA research results in their (future) teaching practice. Results suggest that although most respondents recognized their MA dissertation/thesis work as having a positive impact on their professional development by enhancing their professionalism, personal development and growth, and understanding the relationship between research and practice, they were less confident about the use of MA research findings in their (future) workplaces. These results are discussed in the context of current challenges regarding master’s level education for teachers, national governments’ educational policies, and the relationship between research, teachers’ practices and professional development.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/quality_education
Creators:
Kowalczuk-Walędziak, M., Lopez, A., Underwood, J., Daniela, L. and Clipa, O.
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > Teacher Continuing Professional Development
Date:
1 October 2020
Date Type:
Publication
Page Range:
pp. 459-479
Journal or Publication Title:
Teaching Education
Volume:
31
Number:
4
Number of Pages:
21
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1080/10476210.2019.1649649
ISSN:
1047-6210
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
Related URLs:
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