Preliminary Exploration of Professional Development Instrument for Lecturers in Malaysia

Abstract

Professional development is crucial for organization’s success to improve teaching-learning programs at higher learning education institutions. Many countries have developed various programs for lecturer training and development. However, there are barriers preventing them from taking the opportunities, especially finding the right time and the appropriate programs. This study explored the construct of lecturers’ professional development in teaching and learning after attending various trainings and workshops. The main objective of this study is to identify the underlying factor of the instrument based on Kirkpatrick’s Four Level Evaluation Framework namely reaction, learning, behaviour, and results. Using an 18-item instrument developed for an explorative inquiry, the present study measured and analysed responses from 100 higher education lecturers from randomly selected Public Higher Learning Institution, Private Higher Learning Institution, and Malaysia Technical University Network. Applying Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to identify the underlying dimensions of the instrument, this study suggested that lecturer’s professional development in teaching and learning is a one-dimension construct consisting of integrated dimensions of knowledge enhancement, knowledge relevancy, skills improvement, and skills practice.