The Investigation of Teachers’ Metaphoric Perceptions about Professional Development

Abstract

Professional development is an ongoing process in which teachers review their teaching practices and learn how to respond to their students’ needs. To make the professional development process more effective, we need to define the identity of a teacher correctly and clarify the perspective about teachers’ professional development. The purpose of this study is to investigate teachers’ metaphoric perceptions about professional development. The study was carried out through qualitative research design. The data was collected via an electronic form. The participants were 526 teachers that the researcher contacted through e-mail or social media sites. The data was analyzed through content analysis. The findings of the study indicated that the participants often associated the concept of professional development with an object. In addition, they regarded professional development as a growing and developing entity as well as a demanding occupation that involved change. In this respect, it is important that the teachers are provided with the required resources, budget and time to continue their professional development. Moreover, it is crucial that professional development activities are not limited to seminars and teachers are given the initiative to conduct research about their teaching process.