CPD Desk Related Research Reports

These resources cover a range of CPD and VLE related issues and can be downloaded individually by clicking on the titles, or you can download the entire bundle in one go by using the link at the bottom of the page. Remember by downloading these resources you agree to the terms of the Open Government Licence.

The Role of Technology in Mentoring and Coaching

This report aims to investigate the extent to which technological tools are being and could be used to support, extend or transform the mentoring and coaching of teachers and those involved in education. Whilst examples are drawn from studies both within and outside the UK, the focus of the report is on the contribution of technology to the training and development of teachers through mentoring and coaching in the context of the English education system. The National Professional Standards for Teachers (TDA 2008) and the introduction of the Masters in Teaching and Learning (MTL) (TDA, 2009) provide a legislative, contextual and cultural background for teachers’ initial and ongoing professional development in England. Within these contexts, mentoring and coaching are considered to be central to enhancing practice and developing pedagogical and subject-related knowledge and understanding.

Pedagogy and ICT - A Review of the Literature

In 2003, the Becta publication ICT and Pedagogy presented a review of the literature which framed current understandings of pedagogy and the implications for the use of ICT in learning and teaching in formal educational settings (Cox et al., 2003). This 2009 review will revisit this topic in the light of more recent developments in understandings of pedagogy in practice and in policy initiatives and directions. It will attempt to offer frameworks for thinking about the ‘What?’, ‘How?' and 'Why?’ questions of teaching with information and communications technologies (ICT). The ideas and research studies are presented by researchers and commentators who address the questions and challenges of pedagogy in different contexts and for different professional purposes.

ICT-mediated Continuing Professional Development

In 2004, Becta produced - as part of its ‘What the Research Says’ series - a document which presented a summary review of the literature published between 1998-2003 about the use of ICT to support the continuing professional development (CPD) of teachers (Becta, 2004a). The report, which followed shortly after the completion of the national programme of ICT training popularly referred to as ‘NOF’ training (after the funding agency, the New Opportunities Fund), also examined the effectiveness of CPD for using ICT in the classroom. Evidence from 16 research reports was categorised under three key areas of benefit: general benefits, benefits for pre-service teachers and benefits for serving practitioners. The report also considered various factors which both facilitated and limited professional development with respect to the use of ICT.

ICT skills and practice of Teaching Assistants and Higher Level Teaching Assistants and the Exemplification of the Professional Standards 

“All education and learning professionals should have the skills and capabilities they need to use technology to meet the needs of learners, including an understanding of how technology supports more personalised approaches to learning.” (Becta 2008). The quotation from Becta’s ‘Harnessing Technology Strategy’ (2008) identifies the need for all those involved in educating our children to be able to understand how technology can support and enhance teaching and learning. The report by the author aims to identify how, and in what ways, the Workforce Agreement (2003) has enhanced the role of teaching assistants and how the introduction of Higher Level Teaching Assistant status has introduced a further level of expertise into the school workforce which includes using technology in teaching and learning situations.

Survey of the use of Learning Platforms/Virtual Learning Environments in Initial Teacher Education Institutions

The present survey was commissioned by Becta to identify patterns of use of learning platforms (LPs) or virtual learning environments (VLEs) in initial teacher education institutions (ITEs) in the UK. The survey, conducted on behalf of ITTE, complements parallel research strands comprising school-focused case studies and a literature review. Together the three strands of research seek to examine:

• the use of LPs/VLEs to support professional development in general, and

• the training and professional development provision needed to support HE tutors and teachers in their use of such systems.

Use of Learning Platforms to support Continuing Professional Development in HEIs and Schools

This report focuses on the following question: What practice can be identified in HEIs and in schools about how learning platforms are being used to support ITT tutors and serving teachers as part of their CPD to use the LP, and use of the LP to support CPD in general? The use of learning platforms (LPs) in schools and HEIs is currently focused on supporting the teaching and learning processes between HEI tutors and students and between teachers and pupils rather than the continuing professional development of the tutors and teachers themselves except through online programmes.

What the literature says about continuing professional development and the use of learning platforms in schools and in Initial Teacher Education

This is a report into the literature bearing on the contribution of continuing professional development (CPD) to the development of learning platforms and virtual learning environments (VLEs) in schools. It draws on a wide range of sources, most relating to the school and initial teacher education (ITE) sectors in England, but including international studies and some more general studies based in higher education and colleges of further education. It is intended to inform those with an interest in developing the use of learning platforms in schools and ITE and draws out implications for different audiences.

Click on the link below to download the CPD Desk Related Research Reports Bundle - remember by doing so you agree to the terms of the Open Government Licence.