Enhancing teachers' relational competence : a teacher lesson study

• Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute with innovative knowledge about how lesson study as a method can be used as a tool for increasing in-service teachers' professional development. More specifically, the aim is to test in what way one single lesson study cycle, where teachers' way of perceiving teacher-student interactions was tested before and after, contributes to teachers' increased understanding of relational competence. The study is a pilot preparing for an upcoming main study. Design/methodology/approach Participants were 19 lead teachers (swe: forstelarare) in a Swedish municipality. The study was based on a relational framework and methodological approach (Aspelin, 2017; Pianta, 1999). Data obtained through web-questionnaires and collaborative group reflections were analysed and compiled to find general patterns. Findings The majority of the participants (98.5%) considered their understanding of relational competence to be increased (Cohen's d 1.72) during the intervention. Additionally, there was a notable increase in participants' abilities to verbalise their understanding post-intervention. Research limitations/implications The lack of revised studies might have impacted the validity of this work. However, as this was a pilot study the result can be considered to fulfil the purpose. Practical implications The research suggests that lesson study as a method for in-service teachers as participating students can be used effectively to increase teachers' professional development. Originality/value The study aims to investigate how lesson study as a method can be used to develop in-service teacher learning.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Pedagogik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Pedagogy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Communication

Intervention

In-service teacher training

Lesson study

Relational competence

Teacher-student relationship

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)