Professional Learning Communities(PLCs)of Chemistry Teachers

The models of Professional Learning Communities(PLCs)are based on principles of learning that emphasize the co-construction of knowledge by learners,who in this case are the teachers themselves.Teachers in a PLC meet regularly to explore their practices and the learning outcomes of their students,analyze their teaching and their students’learning processes,draw conclusions,and make changes in order to improve their teaching and the learning of their students.It was found that participation in a PLC influences teaching practice,so teachers become more student-centered.Moreover,the teaching culture improves as the community increases the degree of cooperation among teachers,and focuses on the processes of learning rather than the accumulation of knowledge.This enables students to be innovative,creative,and critical.In addition,trust is developed among the participants,which enables them to discuss and analyze their students’cognitive and affective problems,misconceptions,and learning outcomes.

Colleges should focus on transformation of applied community-oriented professional music talents

In the context of higher education development, the prominent problem the development of higher education facing is different levels and types of schools convergence development. This directly affects the convergence and development tendencies of music professional construction and development local high school, it is highlighted that music training objectives positioning is not clear in the local high school, they consciously or unconsciously move closer to the music professional institutions in teaching content and methods, so higher education cannot meet the local music community, especially the diverse musical talent needs of grassroots community.

Research on the Bottleneck and Countermeasures of Community Nursing Staff＇s Professional Construction

With the increasing of aging, community pension is becoming the choice of the majority of elderly people, and the quality of community care service is closely related to the professional level of nursing staff. Through the questionnaire survey, the nursing staff＇ s high age and low education, lack of related legal basis, lack of assessment standard, the public do not understand professional construction and lack of corresponding incentive mechanism is the main bottleneck of the professional development of the nursing staff.We can through some countermeasures,such as improve the mechanism of personnel protection for community nursing staff, improve management mechanism and legal mechanism, strengthen the ideological understanding understanding of the professional construction of community nursing staffand so on ,to improve the professional level of community nursing staff, in order to better improve the service quality of nurse.

Challenges faced by community health nurses to achieve universal health coverage in Myanmar:A mixed methods study

Objective:This study aimed to identify the challenges of community health nurses(CHNs)in delivering effective community health care to achieve universal health coverage(UHC)in Myanmar.Methods:A total of 30 CHNs from township health centers in the northeastern,southern,and western parts of Myanmar were purposefully recruited for quantitative and qualitative interviews.Quantitative data were processed using Microsoft Excel software,and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.This study is registered with researchregistry6201.Results:Around the country,30 CHNs uncovered their hardships in implementing primary health care to achieve UHC.Over 90%of the participants agreed to the problem of inadequate health infrastructure,while half of them felt unmotivated when they encountered role conflicts among various cadres of healthcare providers and poor opportunities for career promotion.Major problems arose from the lack of standard professional education at the entry point to community settings because most CHNs did not achieve specialized training in providing public health services.Complications are incapable of evaluating health services for policy-making and the inability to conduct health research to develop evidencebased practices.Insecure work and living conditions,unsupportive community relationships,and undereducation in professional practices were supportive major themes explored by CHNs to achieve a deeper understanding of the barriers to UHC.Not only the health system itself but also the population and other geographical factors have contributed to many challenges to CHNs.Conclusion:Myanmar’s CHNs face many challenges in achieving UHC.These challenges are not confined to the health sector.Some situations,such as geographical barriers and transportation problems,remain persistent challenges for healthcare providers.This study highlights the fact that current health systems should be strengthened by qualified healthcare providers and sufficient infrastructure.Meanwhile,public empowerment plays a critical role in promoting health development.

Patient Perspectives of the Role of the Community Pharmacist in the Middle East: Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Iraq

Objectives: To explore patient’s perspectives of the role of the community pharmacist in view of other health care professionals (specialist physician, general practitioner, nurse and others (e.g. herbalist)) in Jordan, UAE and Iraq. The study also investigated patient’s willingness to pay for specialized pharmaceutical care services. Methods: This study followed a single phase cross sectional survey methodology, conducted in three Middle Eastern countries. Data were collected over a period of 6 months on two consecutive years (March to May 2009 and 2010). A questionnaire was designed and validated, then completed by patients walking into community pharmacies. The source of advice (specialist physician, general practitioner, pharmacist, nurse, or herbalist) regarding patient’s medication use and medical management were investigated. Key findings: Patients visiting community pharmacies in Jordan (n = 1000), UAE (n = 1000) and Iraq (n = 968) were recruited into the study (mean age 35.9 ± 13.1, 50.6% males). Significant difference between the three countries was shown, as more patients chose the pharmacist as their primary source of advice on medication use vs. the specialist physician in Jordan (50.8% vs. 37.3%) and Iraq (41.9% vs. 36.7%) compared to UAE (38.0% vs. 40.1%), P < 0.001, Chi-square test. Few agreed to receive paid pharmaceutical care services (Jordan 19.5%;UAE 24.7%;Iraq 2.3%). Conclusion: Current situation resulting in the lower socioeconomic status in Jordan and Iraq seems to lead to patients’ higher reliance on the pharmacist, as compared to the UAE. Majority of patients, regardless of the country of origin, are not willing to pay for specialized pharmaceutical care services. These findings are important for future social pharmacy research in the area.

Why Multi-Sectoral Approaches Are Rarely Applied in Community Health Interventions in Some Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?

The objective of this work is to analyze the reasons why community health interventions in Africa do not consider multisectoral approaches. To achieve it, we perform a mini-review of health development policies and plans available online in seven countries from four regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, two main reasons have been highlighted. First, national strategic plans and policies for health development, in their formulation, neither sufficiently emphasize multisectoral approaches, nor sufficiently make these approaches operational in strategies and activities. Second, the mindset of health professionals due to their initial training orientation based on the biomedical approach, stands that disease is only a result of a physiological imbalance in the body;therefore, to restore health, such an imbalance only needs sophisticated procedures and interventions to be overcome. Such an orientation completely ignores the social, cultural and economic context in which the individual lives, which has an irretrievable influence on the health imbalance. However, health, influenced by the conditions in which people are conceived, born, grow, live, work and aged, cannot be effectively improved in a sustainable way without taking into account all these conditions. Whence the importance of approaches based on every sector of human activity that influences the living conditions.

Developments of Professional Learning Communities and Challenges for Principals in Chinese Urban Middle Schools

Professional learning communities(PLCs)have seen a rapid spread all around the world over the past 30 years.Since then it has been proved that they can improve teaching quality and thereby the achievement of students,and so PLCs have attracted increasing attention especially from education systems.In China,PLCs have been developed vigorously within schools since the implementation of the‘New Curriculum Reform’in 2000.However,the west has paid scant attention to and were not familiar with them since most research in this field in China was published in Chinese.Furthermore,PLCs are influenced by contextual and cultural factors,and therefore PLCs in Chinese education systems are different from those in Anglo-American settings due to long-standing cultural differences,which require consideration.Therefore,this research will investigate the PLCs in China that may be of interest.Many recent studies have shown that,although PLCs have made significant progress in Chinese urban middle schools through the enthusiastic efforts of educators and scholars,there are still several barriers.The primary purpose of this research is to review the development of PLCs and additionally to analyse the challenges faced by the principals.

“互联网+”网络平台以质量行为文化助推高职教育教学研究

时代发展的更新与进步,“互联网+”网络平台的巨大冲击,传统的高职教育教学理念也顺应时代发展有了新的变化。通过不断与时俱进的教学方法,创新高职院校的教学方式。本文对“互联网+”网络平台背景下赋予质量行为文化兼容交互性、创新性、开放性的全新内涵。目前,我国传统高职教育教学开展期间仍存在专业构建逻辑不合理、教师创新能力差等问题,而在新时代下构建质量行为文化建设框架是推动高职教育教学发展的主要力量。

FROM TEACHER GROUP TO LEARNING COMMUNITY:TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK FOR STUDYING COLLEGE ENGLISH TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Among the research of language teachers' professional development in the course of reform,most studies take a psychological or cognitive approach and largely neglect the social element in a teacher's professional growth.This paper,therefore,is intended to build up a theoretical and analytical framework for a large-scale on-going study that looks at college English teachers' professional development from a sociological and anthropological perspective.The notion of learning community constitutes the core of the theoretical framework that orients the author's understanding of the tensions and conflictions in teachers' socialization into the teacher community within the context of radical change.In particular,the literature on three dimensions of the learning process is critically reviewed,i.e.personal dimension,interpersonal dimension and organizational dimension.

Teaching Practice Communities in Higher Education:Roles and Strategies

In view of the problem of lacking peer coaching among college teachers,taking teachers in local universities in Hangzhou as the research subject,the paper analyzes the relationship between peer coaching and teachers’professional development.The paper then proposes to establish teaching practice communities in higher education,which is of great significance to improve the teaching quality and promote the professional development of university teachers.Strategies for constructing teaching practice communities are also discussed.

On Teachers’ Professional Qualities Structure and Development Mechanisms in the Business English Discipline

Business English is a newly developed applied discipline quite different from the traditional English discipline, and it requires different qualities for Business English teachers. This paper attempts to explore the specific professional qualities required of Business English teachers and put forward teacher development mechanisms for the purpose of promoting professionalism of Business English teachers and facilitating construction and development of the Business English discipline.

Unpacking the Relationship Between Teachers’Perceptions of Professional Learning Communities and Differentiated Instruction Practice

Purpose:This exploratory study investigates the relationship between teachers’perceptions of professional learning communities(PLCs)and their differentiated instruction(DI)practice in a Hong Kong primary education context.Design/Approach/Methods:Three subsidized primary schools participated in the study.A total of 121 teachers completed surveys regarding their perceptions of PLC engagement and DI practice.Findings:Using principal component analysis,three dimensions of PLC engagement were identified:student learning,reflective dialogue,and shared and supportive leadership.Two distinctive PLC engagement profiles were generated based on cluster analysis:high PLC engagement and low PLC engagement.Teachers’PLC engagement profiles were correlated with their DI practices.Originality/Value:The findings have implications for fostering teacher engagement in PLCs.Increased teacher participation in PLCs has great potential for promoting the use of DI.

An Exploratory Study into Social Cost Considerations in Ghanaian Construction Industry

Construction causative nuisances, inconveniences, interferences and disruptions to the routine economic and social life patterns of adjacent or neighboring communities are referred to as social cost. This study explores the understanding and level of consideration of social cost by construction professionals in Ghana. Relevant literature sources are reviewed to define, rationalize and classify social cost. The study used the survey approach with a set of questionnaires addressed to construction contractors and professionals to gather the data. It was realized that not much consideration is given to social cost at the tender stage of the construction process. The five factors hindering social cost inclusion in tendering are “difficulty in allocating social costs”, “governmental interferences”, “lack of historical data”, “lack of appreciation of social costs” and “low stakeholder agitation”. The paper advocated for integration of social cost into the tendering process. The study will serve as a foundation to design a social cost assessment system at the pre-contract stage.

Health professionals’perspective on the impact of community health care reform in different regions of China

Objective:Changes in supplying community health services,degree of satisfaction,and pol-icy suggestions are presented from the perspectives of health professionals in different regions of China with the purpose of further facilitating comprehensive reform of community health services.Methods:Based on geographic location and economic level of development,eight cities were selected and 12 community health service institutions were chosen by random sampling from each city.A questionnaire survey was conducted by the health professionals.Results:With respect to working enthusiasm,reduction in antibiotic drug use,social image and trust of patients,more health professionals in middle and western China showed positive feed-backs than those in eastern China.With respect to preliminary results of the reform,performance and salary,and health care insurance policies,health professionals’satisfaction levels in middle and western China were higher than in eastern China.The health professionals in middle and western China were more concerned about equipment,infrastructure and increasing training op-portunities.The health professionals in both eastern and middle China accentuated improving the variety of essential drugs covered by health insurance,while health professionals in eastern China suggested performance-related payment reform.Conclusions:The performance of health professionals in middle and western China was improved more signifi cantly through comprehensive reform than that of health professionals in eastern China.For health professionals in middle and western China,it is essential to strengthen infrastructure and increase professional training,while health professionals in middle and eastern China would like to see an increase in the variety of essential drugs,and those in eastern China require strengthening performance-related payment reform.

Live Journal An Initiative to Enrich a Teacher-Educators＇ Conference

Case study research investigated the launching of an innovative Live Journal, as part of a professional social network, during international conference held in Israel on the subject of teacher training. Research literature notes various publications used to record research and academic materials, but talks less about tools accompanying academic conferences. As far as could be ascertained no online ＂live journal＂ has served the needs of a professional conference. To understand the process and contribution of the Live Journal, qualitative study was chosen, using categorical analysis to interpret materials uploaded by participants on the journal. Additionally, in-depth interviews exposed participants＇ voices and interpretations. The research aimed to identify factors encouraging or hindering the initiative＇s success, patterns of participation, participants＇ characteristics, writing styles and incumbent difficulties and aimed to present a model for optimal operation of the Live Journal. Findings indicate essential components for the journal＇s success include： participants, technology and marketing, noting the importance of each component and their correlation with other components. The journal＇s potential to assist construction of a professional community, and act as an impetus for professional development and familiarity with other professionals in the field indicates the importance of the journal and constitutes the key for success.

Professional Learning Communities in Private Schools in Bahrain and Oman:Reflection on Two Cases

Highlights•This study explores features of professional learning community(PLC)models in the educational contexts in Bahrain and Oman.•Findings based on the case studies of PLCs in two private schools in Bahrain and Oman,and theoretical input from international PLC literature has implications for policy and practice.•Study recommends promoting PLC approaches in the Bahraini and Omani educational systems in pre-and in-service teacher training programs,adapting best international PLC practices to the specific educational contexts of Bahrain and Oman,preparing school principals to lead PLC in their schools,providing human and financial support to these communities,and making school cultures more collaborative.•This study highlights the importance of the PLC approach,expands the existing conceptual/analytical framework,demonstrates how this approach is being used in two schools,and encourages other practitioners and researchers to embrace PLC.

Educational Improvement Science:The Art of the Improving Organization

Purpose:To advocate educational improvement science(EIS)as an emerging transdisciplinary field,I reflect on the three major pathways of educational advancement in human history,discern the misuses and pitfalls of reform,and theorize how education can be improved to better serve its mission.Design/Approach/Methods:Employing a multiperspectival approach,I critically re-examine educational reforms and improvements worldwide and conceptualize the emerging transdisciplinary field through an extensive literature review,etymological analysis,international comparisons,and socio-historical,-cultural and-philosophical reflections.Findings:In this paper,I advance the concept of neo-improvementalism for EIS by elucidating its philosophical assumptions,disciplinary fundamentals,and theoretical frameworks through historical and comparative lenses.I identify and construct disciplinary knowledge of EIS comprising two categories,namely,subject matter knowledge and profound knowledge,adopted from improvement science.I then highlight three methodological approaches of EIS and the building of professional improvement communities empowering individual and institutional improvement capabilities.I propose that EIS is the art of the improving organization for classes,schools,and/or more broadly defined educational agencies.Originality/Value:This study recognizes the significance of EIS and research thereon,especially discipline-building and exploration based on local characteristics in a global vision,and the cultivation of new frontiers of educational research and practices.

How Teachers Learn and Change in Reciprocal Learning Space

This paper reports the impact of a new Canada and China school network on its participating teachers in the context of the Canada−China Partnership Grant Project.Eight schools formed four pairs of sister schools,and teachers in these schools created collaborations embedded in their practices.The data include interviews of teachers and principals in both countries and records of teachers’cross-cultural collaborations.Informed by the literature on teacher learning and professional learning communities,this paper shows benefits of international teacher communities.Also,it explores a new approach to research that features spatiality considerations reflecting a new trend in the comparative education literature.Focusing on teacher knowledge and practice,it shows reciprocal effects of collaboration in the international school network.Finally,this paper links the research results to the literature in a way that highlights the potential of international teacher professional learning communities and contributions of this kind of practice and research.

“I Cannot Dance Upon My Toes”: A Case Study Into Teacher Learning Through Participating in an English Teaching Contest in China

The professional development of College English （CE） teachers in China has received considerable attention due to their responsibility in preparing university graduates for adequate English proficiency. Many continuous professional development （CPD） activities have been conducted （e.g., national teaching contest） to improve CE teachers＇ teaching effectiveness, an essential component of teacher learning. However, it has remained unknown concerning how teacher learning takes place in these well-intended CPD activities, and what mediating factors play an important role in teacher learning. To address this gap, this case study reports on a CE teacher＇s （]anna, pseudonym） experience in preparing for and participating in an English teaching contest. Drawing upon multiple sets of data such as teacher reflective journals, interviews, observations of group discussions, and video-recorded teaching demonstration and lesson plan presentation, the findings reveal that teacher learning takes place at a superficial level through legitimate peripheral participation, yet at a deeper level through identity crisis. Vulnerable teacher learning is also identified in the CPD activity, with differentiated learning possibilities created by the tensions between resources and power relations within the community and the teacher＇s conceptions of teaching and learning. The study concludes with implications for research of teacher learning and practice for teacher professional development.

From External Accountability to Potential-Oriented Development:Quality Assurance System Building for Teacher Preparation in China

Purpose:From the perspective of performance standards-based teacher education,this article aimed to address progress and challenges of China’s teacher preparation quality assurance system.Design/Approach/Methods:This review is based on policy review and case studies.Retrieving to the existing research literature,this research sorted out the policies related to the quality assurance system for university-based teacher preparation in China.Furthermore,this research selected teacher preparation programs from five cases of teacher education colleges of varied levels and used interviews to analyze their attitudes and measures.Findings:The analysis reveals that the quality system for university-based teacher preparation in China’s educational institutions has gone through two main stages:the building stage and the improvement stage.The internal policy tension in China’s teacher preparation quality assurance system is primarily centralized in the dissociation among and segmentation between the relevant standards for teacher education.There is a distinction between“soft”and“hard”policy standards,and reforming the teacher certification testing system also brings a test-oriented bias and a separation of evaluation from education.Institutions of higher education are expected to follow the path of potential-oriented development and concentrate on cooperative partnerships between local communities and schools so as to nurture innovative,professional future educators with high quality.Originality/Value:This article provides a comprehensive and detailed policy analysis as well as empirical evidence for the quality assurance systemfor university-based teacher preparation in China.