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Article
Publication date: 8 May 2009

Tak Cheung Chan

The purpose of this paper is to examine the possible impact portable classrooms have on the teaching and learning process by exploring current related literature.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the possible impact portable classrooms have on the teaching and learning process by exploring current related literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes a synthesis approach, analyzing current studies to assess the impact of portable classrooms on teaching and learning.

Findings

No significant impact of portable classrooms on teacher perception, teacher morale, teacher job satisfaction, student achievement, and behavior is detected. Negative student attitude is found in one of the studies reviewed. Technical testing shows negative relationships between portable classrooms and health and safety conditions, but the permanent structures are sometimes worse.

Research limitations/implications

An experimental study on the impact of portable classrooms on teaching and learning is needed. Analysis of current studies indicate that the impact of portable classrooms on teaching and learning is not as negative as assumed. Still, the negative effects of deterioration or lack of maintenance cannot be underestimated; making implementation strategies, maintenance schedules, relocation plans, and plans for ultimate replacement vital.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first of its kind to synthesize the findings of current studies on portable classrooms. Results are of great value to educational decision makers.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 47 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 December 2022

Niki Glaveli, Panagiotis Manolitzas and Evangelos Grigoroudis

The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, to explore the importance of specific work environment facets for the overall job satisfaction (JS) of primary full-time permanent

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, to explore the importance of specific work environment facets for the overall job satisfaction (JS) of primary full-time permanent teachers (PTs) and substitute/temporary teachers (STs). Second, to highlight the similarity or difference in JS patterns among PTs and STs. Third, to provide guidelines for effective evidence-based human resource management (HRM) interventions targeting to boost PTs and STs JS levels by considering: (1) the perceived importance of individual work facets for them and (2) the school's performance in providing a satisfactory work environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on overall and important JS facets (i.e. satisfaction with opportunities for self-fulfillment, work intensity/load, salary/income, leadership and collegial relations) were collected from a sample of 438 PTs and STs in Greece. Moreover, MUSA, a method that combines Multi-Criteria Decision (MCDA) and Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), was applied to uncover the critical work environment facets of PTs and STs overall JS that call for interventions.

Findings

The findings suggest that PTs seem to value, more than STs, the transactional and economic aspects of the school environment. More precisely, on the part of PTs, self-fulfillment and salary/income are the main contributors to their JS, whilst leadership is the least important facet of JS. For STs self-fulfillment and collegial relationships are the aspects of work that contribute the most to their overall JS, whilst salary/income is the least important contributor. The study results further indicate that self-fulfillment is the strong attribute of Greek schools' work environment in boosting TJS regardless teachers' status, whilst salary/income and workload are potential threats.

Originality/value

It is one of the few studies that provide insights into the differing JS patterns of STs and PTs through the application of a MCDA/IPA method. Therefore, it offers evidence-based guidelines that take into consideration both the school's performance (overall and facet JS) and importance of core aspects of the work experience for STs and PTs.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 53 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 March 2010

Anne Konu, Elina Viitanen and Tomi Lintonen

The purpose of this paper is to compare teachers' wellbeing in different types of schools (elementary, lower secondary and unified school) and to analyze how gender, type of…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare teachers' wellbeing in different types of schools (elementary, lower secondary and unified school) and to analyze how gender, type of employment, working hours and time served as a teacher affected teachers' wellbeing and perceptions of questions concerning leadership practices and work organization in school.

Design/methodology/approach

The holistic school wellbeing evaluation tool was used to study the wellbeing of 1,294 Finnish teachers. The questions covered four categories of wellbeing: school conditions, social relationships, means for self‐fulfillment and health status. Quantitative methodology was used for analysis.

Findings

The general picture was that teachers' wellbeing was highest in elementary schools and lowest in lower secondary schools. The wellbeing of a male teacher, a teacher who had fixed‐term employment and a teacher who worked part‐time was higher than that of a female teacher, a permanent teacher and a full‐time teacher. Single questions concerning work organization and leadership practices followed mainly the same lines. Teachers in unified schools had the lowest ratings when questions relating to obtaining help from the principal, or the possibility of receiving further education and equal treatment were asked.

Practical implications

More attention needs to be paid to permanent teachers employed over a long time with regards to enhancing their wellbeing. In the unifying process of schools, equal treatment, obtaining the principal's help for the teachers and the likelihood of updating education are especially important aspects.

Originality/value

The paper presents a theory‐based evaluation of teachers' wellbeing as well as focal points for school development both from the wellbeing and administrative points of view.

Details

International Journal of Workplace Health Management, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8351

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 August 2016

Vincenza Capone and Giovanna Petrillo

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the validation of the Organizational Justice Index (OJI) by Hoy and Tarter (2004), a self-report questionnaire for teachers’…

1066

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the validation of the Organizational Justice Index (OJI) by Hoy and Tarter (2004), a self-report questionnaire for teachers’ perceptions of fairness in the operation and administration of schools.

Design/methodology/approach

In two studies the authors validated the Italian version of the OJI. Study 1 included 164 Italian high school teachers (76.8 percent were female) to test structure and construct validity. Study 2 involved 200 teachers (permanent and temporary teachers) to confirm the structure of the scale, test the construct and criterion validity, and invariance.

Findings

Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the one-factor solution and that the structure of the scale was the same across teachers. Results revealed high internal reliability. The OJI correlated positively with equity, school climate, and job satisfaction, and negatively with depression and burnout.

Research limitations/implications

Since the research approach could lead to common method variance issues, it will be important to determine the associations of OJI with non-self-report assessments.

Practical implications

The OJI can be applied optimally to: assess potential organizational problems prior to conducting major interventions; investigate school dynamic problems; target interventions designed to enhance perception of organizational justice; incorporate evaluation of organizational justice as part of regular employee assessments.

Originality/value

Overall findings fill the need of standardized measures of organizational justice for specific context. The OJI is a valid instrument to measure organizational justice in school, involving different type of teachers.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 May 2013

Adityo Pratikno Ramadhan

The purpose of this paper is to identify the determinant factors of teachers’ and health workers’ absenteeism in Indonesia.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the determinant factors of teachers’ and health workers’ absenteeism in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on desk study where the research explores the existing literatures about health and education sectors in Indonesia and explores the existing data about health and education sectors in Indonesia. The research is also based on the author's experiences as an employee of central government.

Findings

The author identifies six determinant factors of teachers’ and health workers’ absenteeism. These include the following: inadequate infrastructures (road and bridge); bad working conditions; absence of sanction; bribery; side jobs; and low salaries (only for health workers).

Research limitations/implications

Since Indonesia is a big country, this research could only identify six determinants; there might be other determinants, which are not identified. Further research in absenteeism should take the decentralization system in Indonesia into account. The decentralization system must have a big impact on absenteeism, whether it is to reduce or to increase the practices of absenteeism.

Originality/value

The bribery has an important role in that it makes people lazy to work and makes them perform absenteeism.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-3162

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 4 August 2021

Puja Minni and Jyotsna Jha

Building a quality teaching force depends fundamentally upon attracting suitable candidates into teaching. This translates into transparent and clear policies and procedures for…

Abstract

Building a quality teaching force depends fundamentally upon attracting suitable candidates into teaching. This translates into transparent and clear policies and procedures for recruitment and transfers. Teacher recruitment and transfer are significant aspects of teacher management in Indian states because of the size and the differences that exist in different locations, in terms of facilities including access to health care services, higher educational institutions, and also transport and mobility. The presence or absence of these facilities and services determine the perceived quality for teachers, especially as it also determines their and the family members’ (including spouse and children) ability to access education, health care, or job market. This makes the recruitment and transfer policy a critical aspect of teacher management that contributes significantly to the motivation and job satisfaction of the teacher. Karnataka was able to make progress on designing and implementing transparent and effective teacher recruitment and transfer policies and move away from a system plagued by the weaknesses exhibited by other states. This chapter undertakes a historical analysis of teacher recruitment and transfers in the state, examines the determinants that led to current policies and an examination of the on-going changes since the policy was first introduced. Using Karnataka’s example, it argues that effective and efficient teacher management systems can lead to better teacher quality.

Details

Building Teacher Quality in India: Examining Policy Frameworks and Implementation Outcomes
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-903-3

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 4 August 2021

Shreya Sandhu

This chapter looks at the experiments of the Aam Aadmi Party led government’s initiatives in building teacher quality for its government schools in the capital city. Outlining the…

Abstract

This chapter looks at the experiments of the Aam Aadmi Party led government’s initiatives in building teacher quality for its government schools in the capital city. Outlining the contours of neoliberal influence on Indian education policy and its consequences on teacher quality, the chapter explores the political rationality that governs the case of Delhi. It does this by understanding the changing subjectivities of the school teachers within the educational reforms. The government schools in Delhi have been blamed for worsening school performance especially in student learning outcomes through basic educational tests conducted by various assessment and evaluation surveys. Among other reasons, poor teacher quality has been identified as one of the major causes of this poor performance of government school children. Therefore, gaps were identified in the teacher support system and efforts were made to revamp the system. The chapter brings out in detail how the state’s initiatives in educational reforms have produced paradoxical situations and unintended effects in practice as the state has retained a controlling role even though the reform strategies show a shift toward increasing autonomy and deregulation.

Details

Building Teacher Quality in India: Examining Policy Frameworks and Implementation Outcomes
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-903-3

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 September 2015

Katia Ciampa

The purpose of this paper is to analyze teacher candidates’ implied assumptions, attitudes, and concerns about occasional teaching. Data were gathered from 100 teacher candidates…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze teacher candidates’ implied assumptions, attitudes, and concerns about occasional teaching. Data were gathered from 100 teacher candidates over the course of three academic years. Each of the participants posed two questions at the beginning of an online occasional teaching course that they would like to be answered by the end of the course. An awareness of teacher candidates’ questions will be useful in the process of improving pre-service teacher preparation and professional development in occasional teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

On the first day of the course, the teacher candidates were asked to reflect upon their first practicum experience and post these reflections to the Sakai discussion forums board. As a follow-up to this introductory activity, the author then invited the teacher candidates to compose and share two (open-ended) questions they would like addressed in this occasional teaching course. These questions were submitted and retained by the author for the duration of the course. The author referred to these teacher candidates’ questions over the term of the course to ensure that the teacher candidates’ queries were being addressed and their misconceptions were being challenged. Over the course of this study, the 100 teacher candidate participants (n=100) each offered two questions for a total of 200 questions. However, not all questions were unique. The study design employed the use of qualitative and quantitative methods. The participants’ questions were transcribed, organized, coded and categorized. Data were initially bracketed into meaning units, coded for relevant categories, refined and related to enable the development of encompassing themes. Each question was coded only once based on the central issue or premise of the question. Frequency distributions and percentages of common responses were also derived from participant responses.

Findings

Findings suggest that teacher candidates are most concerned with classroom management, curriculum and instruction, getting hired as an occasional or long-term occasional teacher, administrators’ and classroom teachers’ expectations of occasional teachers, legal aspects of occasional teaching, and working with special populations.

Research limitations/implications

Due to attrition, the final number of respondents was 100. It can be argued that the group of students who withdrew from the occasional teaching course may have had different perceptions, concerns, and questions from those who completed the study. More research should be conducted on occasional teaching. Such research may help the author to improve the situation for students, teachers, administrators, teacher candidates, and occasional teachers. Conducting a longitudinal study with the same students would also be useful to identify whether or not they were satisfied with the amount of preparation they had during their pre-service teacher training.

Practical implications

A critical beginning for teacher educators is to capture the initial questions and conceptions that their teacher candidates possess on entry into pre-service education programmes. Teacher education programmes should begin considering courses that will help pre-service teachers reconstruct and modify their preconceived perceptions about occasional teaching, in hopes that it will promote professional growth and development. Faculties and boards of education should consider creating a “How-To” resource manual that is aligned with the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession, and designed for newly hired occasional teachers, regular classroom teachers, administrators, and teacher candidates. This manual could include case studies accompanied by a series of thought-provoking questions and real-world guidance from the “experts in the field” which will prove helpful when teacher candidates are preparing for their interviews.

Originality/value

Occasional teaching is the route into the profession for the majority of Ontario’s new graduates. This gradual and increasingly extended process toward full entry to the profession results in more competition each year for the next group of first-year teachers and greater reliance on occasional teaching. Despite these findings, few teacher education programmes in Ontario, Canada offer courses, workshops, or training to help prepare their teacher candidates for occasional teaching as their possible point of entry into the teaching profession. This lack of preparation is a major concern for the teaching profession as a whole. To fully address these concerns, occasional teacher training must be provided for all teacher candidates. Faculties and boards of education need to develop a well-qualified, highly skilled occasional teacher who through training becomes a well-developed specialist at teaching at one school today, in another tomorrow, and in still another the day after tomorrow. Occasional teaching training courses and programmes must provide prospective occasional teachers with the skills they need to enter any classroom and provide a positive learning atmosphere. This applied research will inform efforts to improving pre-service teacher preparation and professional development in occasional teaching.

Details

Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-7003

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1972

E. BARRINGTON THOMAS

Principals' evaluation of teachers for classroom and administrative promotion was the focus of this study. Data were collected from 230 principals of Victorian high schools by…

Abstract

Principals' evaluation of teachers for classroom and administrative promotion was the focus of this study. Data were collected from 230 principals of Victorian high schools by means of the instrument developed by Moore based on Mitzel's process, product and presage criteria. Findings revealed that although a common body of criteria was used principals placed prime emphasis upon process criteria in evaluating teachers for classroom promotion and upon presage criteria in evaluating teachers for administrative promotion. The study also established relationships between some of the evaluative criteria and certain “biographical” variables such as principal's age and extent of administrative experience.

Details

Journal of Educational Administration, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-8234

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2017

Siti Irene Astuti Dwiningrum

The purpose of this paper is to create a valid and fit instrument to measure school resilience, and to understand teachers’ and students’ contributions to build school resilience.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a valid and fit instrument to measure school resilience, and to understand teachers’ and students’ contributions to build school resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The construct of school resilience is adapted from Henderson and Milstein’s (2003) concept regarding two factors: mitigating risk factor in environment and building resilience in the environment. Senior high school teachers and students in a disaster-prone area in Indonesia were chosen as the sample using purposive sampling technique.

Findings

The results of this research are that the instrument is considered as good, valid, reliable, and fit for measuring the students’ and the teachers’ contributions in building school resilience; and the results of the confirmatory factor analysis test of the hypothesized model of school resilience of teachers and students in a disaster-prone area are in line with the empirical data. Based on the analysis of the value of the major loading factors, teachers and students show different contributions. In building school resilience for disaster mitigation, teachers begin by mitigating risk factor in the environment whereas students tend to give a priority to build resilience in the environment.

Practical implications

The results of this study are applicable to develop school resilience on disaster mitigation, and the instrument of the research provides a practical contribution to broader research scope, in terms of different population, school level, socio-cultural background, and disaster-prone area.

Originality/value

This study presents reliable instrument to measure teachers and students’ contribution in building school resilience. This study also sought to understand the different contributions shown by teachers and students in building school resilience for disaster mitigation.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

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