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Implementing Teacher Portfolios for Professional Development
Presentation by Caroline CampbellTESOL France Colloquium 2013
Fare clic sull'icona per inserire un'immagine
MALTA
FACTS ABOUT MALTA
• 417,000
• 81,911
• 316
• 365
• 42
Fare clic sull'icona per inserire un'immagine
MALTA
FACTS ABOUT MALTA
• 417,000 - population
• 81,911 – foreign students who visited Malta to study English in 2012
• 316 sq km – surface area
• 365 churches
• 42 licensed EFL school
The situation in Malta42 licensed EFL Schools regulated by the
EFL Monitoring Board.
The EFL Monitoring Board is a public authority that falls under the Ministry of Education and Employment.
In the last decade the EFL Monitoring Board has implemented various policies to guarantee quality English language teaching.
Academic School Visits (ASV)The EFL Monitoring Board appoints
«Academic School Visitors» to carry out announced «Academic School Visits».
Among other things, during the ASV, the visitor:
- observes lessons.- has meetings with the DOS, the teachers,
and the learners.- reads a sample of learner feedback reports. - reads a sample of teacher portfolios.
https://eflmalta.gov.mt/en/Documents/Policies/EFL%20Monitoring%20Board%20Malta%20Academic%20School%20Visits.pdf
Structure of Teacher Portfolios as required by the EFL Monitoring Board
An updated CV.A summary of teacher development
interviews/appraisals.A feedback on classroom
observations carried out for development/appraisal purposes.
A selection of course/lesson plans.Any other relevant material.https://eflmalta.gov.mt/en/Documents/Policies/EFL%20Monitoring%20Board%20Malta%20Academic%20School%20Visits.pdf
Do you keep a teacher portfolio?
Implementing the Policy within Schools
The initial reaction.
Implementing the Policy within my School
Informative/Preparatory meeting.
Change of heart.
Templates/Support.
Regular follow-up meetings.
Informative/preparatory meetingGoing through the policy guidelines
with the teachers.
Providing more detailed explanations.
Breaking down the guidelines into simple steps.
Helping teachers understand the true purpose of a teacher portfolio.
Understanding the twofold purpose of Teacher Portfolios (TP)• TP as a means
• to demonstrate credentials to employers, potential employers and/or colleagues. (Not just to abide by the EFL Monitoring Board Policy).
• TP as a tool• To encourage teachers reflect more critically
on their teaching;• To help teachers keep records of created
materials and teaching methods used;• To give teachers an opportunity to discuss
issues with colleagues, mentors and even learners.
Preparing a Teacher Portfolio
Evidence of training and teaching
An updated CV. References. Certificates of
courses/seminars/ workshops attended/given.
Learner feedback sheets. Lesson observation
reports. Created materials- Course/Lesson plans.
Reflections on the evidence
o Cover letter.o Teaching philosophy statement.o Reflection on new ideas
obtained from courses/ seminars/workshops.
o Self-Evaluation reports: pre- and post- lesson observation.
o Action plan.
Guidelines for an updated CV
Besides the usual lists that are included in a CV, teachers were reminded to include the following:
Highlights of any professional development since finishing formal education
e.g. Participation in workshops/conferences, online courses, etc.
A list of the variety of courses taught over the years (emphasizing professional experience).
List adapted from Brown, J.D. & Wolfe-Quintero, K. The Language Teacher: Teacher Portfolios for Evaluation. Greate Idea or a Waste of Time. Document URL: http://www.jalt-publications.org/tlt/files/97/jan/portfolios.html
An updated CV
Any service given within language programmes
e.g. Materials and/or test writing, syllabus/curriculum development, conference presentations/workshops
given/poster presentations, offices held in professional
organizations, etc.
List adapted from Brown, J.D. & Wolfe-Quintero, K. The Language Teacher: Teacher Portfolios for Evaluation. Greate Idea or a Waste of Time. Document URL: http://www.jalt-publications.org/tlt/files/97/jan/portfolios.html
An updated CV
Other aspects e.g. Highlights of foreign travel or experience living in other cultures,
any published articles or material, grants and honours received,
foreign languages spoken, etc.List adapted from Brown, J.D. & Wolfe-Quintero, K. The Language Teacher: Teacher Portfolios for Evaluation. Greate Idea or a Waste of Time. Document URL: http://www.jalt-publications.org/tlt/files/97/jan/portfolios.html
More evidence.Expanding on parts mentioned in the CV
e.g. Copies of published articles,sample of created tests/classroom materials,
course syllabi developed, handouts given out during presentations, etc.
Adding reflections.
Evaluation forms completed by students, peers and mentors.
Students’ work/classroom activity pictures/thank you notes.
Teaching Philosophy Statement
What theories/approaches do you base your teaching on?
How do your beliefs guide you when choosing materials to use with your students, for your classroom management, when deciding what approach to use, etc.?
Do you use technology or any other tools in the classroom?
What other elements do you like bringing into your classroom?
Teaching Philosophy Statement
What kind of interaction (teacher – student, student – student) goes on in your classroom?
How do you know your teaching strategies are working well?
How do you gather feedback from your students?
What are your goals?
Lesson Observation
Formal observationTrainingProfessional DevelopmentMonitoringAssessmentData collectionUnannounced observation
Informal observationPeer observation
Lesson Observation
The observer should encourage the following:• Self-development• Self-evaluation• Self-monitoring• Self-assessment
Records added to the teacher portfolio.
Self-Evaluation: pre-observationReflection on progress in implementing
the action plan (based on the most recent self-evaluation records/feedback received).
Identification of strengths and weaknesses in teaching.
Reflection on how the identified strengths and weaknesses effect learners.
Template
Course/Lesson Plans
Course plan: brief summaryPractise planning the course for
the week.Linking lessons to provide a flow.
Detailed lesson plans: Main lesson aim/s. Class profile. Lesson stages/timings/stage aims.
Template
Template
Self-evaluation: post-observation
Reflection on different aspects of the lesson.
e.g. aims achieved,relevance of lesson,effectiveness,materials used,interaction, etc.
Template
Observation Feedback ReportA narrative of what went on during
the observed lesson including comments and suggestions.
Comments on different aspects: e.g. Class management, Teaching of skills/language,
Interaction, Lesson planning, etc.
Survey questionsDo you like the fact that the EFL
Monitoring board introduced teacher portfolios?
Does keeping a Teacher Portfolio help you reflect on your own teaching?
Has it changed the way you look at your own CPD or teaching?
Do you like the fact that the EFL Monitoring Board has introduced teacher portfolios?
Yes, I believe it helps
teachers to be more
organised and it also
has a great positive
effect on the school.
Yes, it makes my career more professional and valuable.
Yes, it helps teachers be more aware of the importance of their work and increases a sense of responsibility. Other stakeholders, such as the government show that higher standards and quality of work matter.
Yes, teachers can show their professional growth and achievements.
Yes, I think it’s important for
teachers to continually
evaluate and develop
techniques as they grow in
experience. It has
introduced a quality control
guideline to maintain the
standard of teaching within
the schools.
Yes, the introduction of portfolios is a good idea because it helps me keep up-to-date with the latest teaching methods
Yes, the EFL Monitoring Board and the DOS can monitor the CPD of EFL teachers better.
Does keeping a teacher portfolio help you reflect on your own teaching?
Yes, I can access records
of previous observed
lessons and reflect on
feedback . This helps me
improve my lessons. Yes, in my TP I keep records of feedback given by students which helps me reflect and change certain teaching methods I use.
It helps me log my progess and improve my lessons. Yes, with a TP I can track my progress and
improve through self-reflection and evaluation which I believe are a vital part of growing as a teacher.
Yes, it has helped me
become a more
effective teacher. It
provides me with the
possibility to analyse,
reflect and improve
my teaching and
learning.
Yes, it keeps me on my toes. It also helps me to be more creative and motivated.
Yes, it helps me look back and examine my progress and reflect on how I can improve.
Has it changed the way you look at your own CPD or teaching?
Being able to see
remarks on my own
teaching helps me reflect
and examine well the
possibilities for
improvement.It makes me feel
more valued as a
teacher. I also
feel my efforts are
being appreciated.
Yes, I am more aware of my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher and I can be more focused.
It has helped me
define my goals and
think through my
lesson plans. It has
helped me become
more focused.
Over the last few years I have developed and improved a lot. I make sure I attend workshops and seminars, of which I keep record in my TP. All this training has encouraged me to keep my finger on the pulse of my profession. I believe the school and my students also benefit from it.
Not really. The portfolio itself is only a tool to help me keep a record. However, being regularly observed and receiving feedback is very helpful and practical.
I’ve just started teaching, I can’t really say at this point in time but I’m sure I will benefit from it.
Results/BenefitsTeachers no longer see keeping a Teacher Portfolio as
merely more paperwork.
Teachers have come to appreciate the Teacher Portfolio as a tool that helps them reflect on their teaching.
Teachers work harder to bring about change and improvement and to show evidence of it.
Teachers have also become more aware that professional development is an ongoing process.
Teachers also feel that the Teacher Portfolio helps them project a more professional image.
The way forward
Teacher e-portfolio• can include more than just text:
video, audio, graphic,• easier to share and teachers can
choose what to share,• teachers can choose to have a wider
audience,• teachers gain technological skills
and keep up with the digital age,• paperless.
Referenceshttps://
eflmalta.gov.mt/en/Pages/EFL.aspx
https://eflmalta.gov.mt/en/Documents/Policies/EFL%20Monitoring%20Board%20Malta%20Academic%20School%20Visits.pdf
