Teachers’ Awards : an Incentive for Pedagogical Development in Saudi Arabia

• This work-in-progress paper presents a study on how K-12 Computer Science teachers in Saudi Arabia have changed their pedagogy as a result of engaging in one year of professional development leading up to applying for a teacher's award. The results are based on thematic analysis of fourteen interviews with teachers that have been awarded either the `Education Excellence Award' or the `Microsoft Expert in Education'. The study focuses on how preparing for and getting the teaching award has influenced them focusing on changes in their pedagogical development and subsequent practices. The work provides an in-depth description of several aspects of the Saudi Arabian teaching culture. It explores and discusses the affordances of mechanisms used to strengthen pedagogical competence in a teacher community, paying extra attention to awards. This study identifies four main factors that motivate teachers to engage in pedagogical development in teaching Computer Science. The research suggests that awards can be an efficient motivator in establishing a culture of excellence among Computer Science teachers.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Data- och informationsvetenskap -- Datavetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Computer and Information Sciences -- Computer Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Datavetenskap med inriktning mot datavetenskapens didaktik

Computer Science with specialization in Computer Science Education Research

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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