Teachers' professional development in a challenging educational context -- a study of actual practice in rural western Kenya

This research adopted a design research approach, utilizing a mixture of methods including narratives, ethnographic observations, qualitative interviews and documentation of design artifacts. It was implemented in a challenging context in Western Kenya. The first research question for this study was: How might professional development (PD), offered through a blended learning approach and delivered by appropriate technologies, inform potential change to teaching practice in a challenging context in Kenya? Research question two sought to understand the implications of the professional development implemented in this study for teachers and professional development teachers (PDTs). Question three sought to understand the sustainability and scalability of the professional development approach The theoretical framework informing this research is based on activity theory- a needs-driven and goal directed process through tool mediation, and entails division of labor and isolation of partial tasks in a community of relationships (Vygotsky, 1978; Leont’ev, 1978; Engestrom, 1987; 1999; 2000; 2008). Key features of activity theory are active engagement and social interaction, which enabled teachers to collaboratively work with each other, studying through appropriate technologies to inform their teaching practices. Based on a review of literature, interviews with teachers and observation of teachers during face-to-face meetings in professional development and in their classroom practice, this study suggests that teachers in a challenging context can inform potential change to their teaching as a result of participation in locally developed content, delivered through blended learning on appropriate technologies. This study observes that through self-directed study on tablets, and occasional face-to-face interaction, teachers can transform into a community of learners that support each other in planning for their lessons. Content development involving local experts is critical to such interventions in challenging contexts, while drawing from global web content, harnessing open educational resources and being sensitive to local culture. Reflective conversations, professional dialogues and technology stewardship were all critical in informing teachers’ practice.

Publisher: Education DOI: doi:10.11575/PRISM/27984