Connecting Educators in Malta: understanding the challenges that primary teachers in Malta face when forming their Professional Learning Network and investigating how to facilitate better connections among teachers.
Buttigieg, Maxine (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023081424719
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023081424719
Tiivistelmä
A Professional Learning Network (PLN) offers educators the opportunity to engage in informal learning by collaboratively constructing knowledge with other educators (Trust, Krutka & Carpenter, 2016). In addition to facilitating learning and professional growth, PLNs have been found to enhance teacher satisfaction and morale (Prenger, Poortman & Handelzalts, 2021).
This research project aims to bring light to the experiences of primary school teachers in Malta, specifically examining how connected they are to each other and the types of PLNs they currently engage in. Furthermore, the study seeks to assess the potential demand for a future business venture that would facilitate in-person connections among educators in Malta. A mixed methods approach was employed to collect data for this project, involving 4 semi-structured interviews followed by a survey completed by 96 primary school teachers working in Malta.
The findings reveal that the majority of respondents identified online networks and their school community as their primary PLN. However, teachers reported a lack of connections with other teachers who work in different types of schools in Malta (State, Church and Independent schools), despite expressing a desire for such connections.
Based on these findings, strategies were identified to enhance connections among teachers in Malta. Interviews suggested the need for two types of in-person events, and the subsequent survey indicated a strong interest in these events, underscoring the desire for increased networking opportunities where teachers from different schools can interact. The establishment of a supportive and diverse network like this is expected to improve teacher well-being, increase intrinsic motivation, and elevate the quality of professional development for teachers in Malta.
This research project aims to bring light to the experiences of primary school teachers in Malta, specifically examining how connected they are to each other and the types of PLNs they currently engage in. Furthermore, the study seeks to assess the potential demand for a future business venture that would facilitate in-person connections among educators in Malta. A mixed methods approach was employed to collect data for this project, involving 4 semi-structured interviews followed by a survey completed by 96 primary school teachers working in Malta.
The findings reveal that the majority of respondents identified online networks and their school community as their primary PLN. However, teachers reported a lack of connections with other teachers who work in different types of schools in Malta (State, Church and Independent schools), despite expressing a desire for such connections.
Based on these findings, strategies were identified to enhance connections among teachers in Malta. Interviews suggested the need for two types of in-person events, and the subsequent survey indicated a strong interest in these events, underscoring the desire for increased networking opportunities where teachers from different schools can interact. The establishment of a supportive and diverse network like this is expected to improve teacher well-being, increase intrinsic motivation, and elevate the quality of professional development for teachers in Malta.