Development of a Blended Learning Program and Its Pilot Implementation for Professional Development of Science Teachers

Abstract

Teachers’ professional development (TPD) in the pedagogical and instructional use of ICT I Greece, known as B-Level, was implemented on a pilot basis with a blended learning program called Meikto which included a combination of face-to-face and distance sessions and activities. The distance part included synchronous sessions via Blackboard and non-synchronous activities using Moodle. This paper analyzes the basic design principles, structure, and content of the blended learning program Meikto for compulsory education secondary science teachers and presents selected results concerning the views of the trainees who attended its pilot implementation in two training centers. Trainee responses to a questionnaire after the program show considerable interest, acceptance, and positive response regarding the distant activities and their combination as well as the affordances regarding the development of their TPACK.