IST (In-Service Training) Model to Improve English Teachers’ Pedagogical and Professional Competencies in the Computer Science Department of Universities in Indonesia

Abstract

<jats:p>The fact that English teachers teaching in a computer science department may not really know detail about information technology (IT) as a subject, as well as its terminologies, brings about difficulties when deciding what kind of teaching materials are appropriate to the student’s learning needs. Another issue is that some computer science teachers do not have an English language teaching background. This can be a drawback for this group of teachers since they do not really know how to teach the language. The following discussion is a needs analysis used as a preliminary study to develop an in-service training (IST) model to improve English teachers’ pedagogical and professional competencies in a computer science department. Pedagogical knowledge, skill, and attitude, and professional competency became the core study since these two were the obvious difficulties faced by the two groups of teachers. This study involved English computer science teachers, the curriculum administrator, and the students in two private universities and one state university in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Observations, open interviews, and questionnaires were used to gather the data.</jats:p>

The Roles of English Teacher Forum (MGMP) in Indonesia Towards the Teacher Professional Development

“…Therefore, the government needs to design appropriate in-service training for the teacher in a certain area to fulfilled the teachers' needs. It is also suggested by Lestariningsih, Hope, Madya, and Nurkamto (2018) that the differentiated in-service training should be made specifically to fit the teachers' needs. Further, it causes improvement in the pedagogic qualities and teachers' professional development.…”

“…The MGMP gives opportunities to the teacher to expand more challenging things such as examination writer or editor, book writer, listening voice over, and researcher. Expanding new experiences related to the current issues through the activities provided by the MGMP became powerful in-service training that helps the teachers develop their professionalism (Lestariningsih et al, 2018). Further, Mrs. R argued as follows:…”

“…Therefore, MGMP has become the place for developing teachers' professionalism. The activities and experiences that are based on problem-centered, relevant issues and contextual knowledge built positive teachers' professionalism (Nurhayati, 2018;Lestariningsih et al, 2018). Equally important, the existence of MGMP is crucial for developing teacher professionalism and the quality of education.…”

“…Further, the MGMP also trains the teachers to be able to conduct classroom action research (CAR). The opportunity of conducting the CAR allows the teacher to develop the skills of being a researcher, while at the same time CAR gives benefits of understanding what is suitable and not in the context of real teaching practice (Lestariningsih et al, 2018). The CAR is used as an in-service training to practice and produce better and suitable teaching method based on a certain condition (Lestariningsih et al, 2018).…”

“…(Interview, Mr. A, dated 12 May 2020 and 3 October 2020) Based on Mr. A's answer, MGMP prepares the teacher to be aware of the condition in their environment through the training and seminar especially about researching class problems and find the solution of it. It is a good step for a teacher not only to practice the awareness in the class but also to keep the teacher to be up to date with the current education issues (Lestariningsih et al, 2018). Besides, it also positively affects the better educational systems (Rahman, 2016).…”