Delegates' Experience of a Professional Development Workshop for Staff of Nigerian Independent Schools: An Appreciative Inquiry

Abstract

Collaboration between the Director of Accelerated Learning Systems in Nigeria education management lecturers and The University of South Africa since 2008 has led to professional development workshops for staff from Nigerian independent schools. This study, which is a follow-up from a previous study (Steyn, 2010) describes the experiences of delegates of Nigerian independent schools participating in a professional development workshop in South Africa in October 2009. A qualitative study based on appreciative inquiry (AI) identified aspects that participants appreciate: what is current, 'the best of what has been and what is' ('discovering'), and also aspects based on their experience of the workshop and what they desire for future workshops ('imagining'). The aim of the study was to use the findings to design future workshops that address Nigerian staff's professional development needs more appropriately.