Technology-Based Professional Development: The Case of Elementary School Teachers in Belgrade

Abstract

Research question: This paper investigated the correlation between the perceptions of strategies that affect professional development and the obstacles to successful implementation of technology-based professional development. Motivation:The research sought to determine elements that make professional development effective in the eyes of teachers, so that they may be more apt to use what they learn in classroom practice. The concept draws upon the TPACK framework while discussion and recommendations draw upon the UTAUT stages that teachers pass through when faced with new innovations. This study looks at the variables of a) time spent teaching, b) level of education, c) knowledge/use of computers, d) class preparation, and e) technology seminars of survey participants, to determine what demographical characteristics may have an impact on certain belief patterns surrounding professional development and technology use. Idea: The idea of this study is to look at the effectiveness of professional development to integrate technology into classroom practice and to allow for recommendations for improved technology-based professional development. Data: Data collected from a paper-based survey was completed by elementary school teachers in the school district of the city of Belgrade, Serbia. Tools: To explore possible correlations and to measure the strength of the relationship between nominal variables in this study, a non-parametric Spearman coefficient was used. Findings: This study has found that educational experiences and practice using technology do correlate with self-efficacy, willingness to use technology and active resistance of professional development experiences. Contribution: The results call for more technology support and communities of collaboration to implement effective professional development and may help educational leaders in Serbia to develop effective technology-based professional development programmes.