Technology-supported professional development for teachers: lessons from developing countries
Tony McAleavy
Tony McAleavy is Education Development Trust’s Research Director with corporate oversight of the educational impact of all Education Development Trust’s activities and our public domain research programme. Tony has worked extensively on school reform in many countries, particularly in the Middle East. He has an MA in Modern History from St John’s College, University of Oxford.
Alex Hall-Chen
Sarah Horrocks
Sarah is director of Education Development Trust's London Connected Learning Centre which supports schools and educators in all aspects of digital technology. As a former primary teacher and deputy headteacher, Sarah combines her teaching expertise with her natural curiosity for all things digital. She oversees London CLC's activities which include research, digital strategy, developing teachers' edtech practice, involving young people in creating with digital technologies, supporting families' digital skills and re-designing schools' IT networks. Sarah leads a team of keen, tech-savvy experts – from computer science teachers to filmmakers and family learning tutors – to deliver engaging workshops that leave a lasting impression.
Anna Riggall
Dr Anna Riggall leads Education Development Trust's global programme of academic educational research and promotes evidence engagement across the organisation. She has over 20 years’ experience leading international educational research and holds an MA in Education & Development Studies and PhD in Education. She specialises in the areas of education system reform, education for marginalised groups including children with disabilities, girls and refugees, teacher development, leadership, accountability and education in emergencies.
This report captures what might be learnt from a selection of the world’s most interesting examples of technology-assisted in-service professional development in lower-income countries and from wider reflections about the potential of technology to enhance the professional learning of teachers.
This report explores the literature surrounding technology for professional learning, identifying six promising case studies:
- UNESCO projects in Pakistan and Nigeria – using mobile phones to deliver pedagogical content to early-grade and primary school teachers
- English in Action, Bangladesh using mobile phones and SD cards to deliver content to teachers
- Teacher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (TESSA) – OER to support interactive teaching practice
- Teacher Education through School-based Support in India (TESS-India) – OER to support the adoption of more engaging pedagogies
- Teachers for Teachers, Kenya – using mobile technology to strengthen teacher development in Kakuma Refugee Camp
- National Tablets Programme, Kenya – improving the coaching provided to teachers
Through these case studies we have made a series of reflections on the impact technology can have on teacher professional development, particularly in low- and low-middle income contexts:
- Promising technology is not enough, we must not forget the human factor
- Mobile technologies have high potential to improve the reach, scalability and flexibility of teacher professional development
- OER constitute a promising format for professional development resources
- High-impact, sustainable technology-enabled solutions depend on local partnership and a sense of local ownership
- The design and delivery of effective technology-enabled professional learning depends on high-quality impact data and careful piloting solutions
Our report explores each of these case studies and reflections in greater detail, drawing lessons for policymakers, practitioners and other organisations who seek to provide technology-related professional development opportunities for teachers.