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previous professional development provision in Ireland will be paramount in informing
the professional development programme at the centre of this study. Initially, the
teachers in the study school will be required to complete a professional development
needs analysis based on physical education following a review of
their current teaching
practices in physical education. Once this is established the programme can be
designed, in agreement with the teachers, ensuring that they contribute to how they
might see relevant opportunities for professional development occurring in their school
and/or classrooms. As time for planning, discussion and reflection
and feedback was a
key factor in effective professional development, time to facilitate this will have to be
negotiated with the teachers and the Principal within school time which according to the
research is the time most requested by teachers.
Many contextual difficulties, in relation to schools and strand implementation,
have been discussed in this chapter and in order to be aware of
these and account for
them in any professional development programme, periods of observation in the school
will have to be part of the research design. As research in Ireland, on teachers’ practices
in physical education, has indicated that most lessons taught are games based and to
redirect this imbalance in schools it would be important
that any professional
development in a primary school consider programmes to support teachers in creative
dance, gymnastics and outdoor and adventure activities, initially. The evaluation of the
professional development programme, from design to outcome is critical,
in order to
show the impact of the programme and the principles which might bring about change.
From this review it is evident that any evaluation should use a multitude of research
methods. For example a combination of qualitative methods including interviews with
the key stakeholders (Principal, teachers and children) and direct observations of
teachers prior to, during and post the PDP appear warranted. Chapter three will detail
the research design and the methods of data collection to be used in evaluating the
professional development programme in this study.