A development of a schools’ network for co-teacher development to enhance teachers’ professional competencies for appropriate instruction in situations of pandemic spread

Abstract

This research paper is one that can be classified under research and development. The objectives of this research were: (1) to study the conditions of pre-existence network of schools for co-teacher development; (2) to develop a network of schools for co-production of student teachers; (3) to study the effectiveness of a network; and (4) to study the successful factors and obstacles in proceeding with the developed network. The target group consisted of secondary schools in Phitsanulok, Thailand. The desire of the school was to participate in the network for the purpose of improving the production process and developing teachers’ competencies designing and implementing appropriate instruction in situations of pandemic spread. The results revealed that: (1) pre-existing teacher network conditions do not provide enough encouragement for student teachers to create engaging online learning activities and assessments; (2) A network was developed characterized by a paradigm shift towards online learning activities, teacher’s collaboration, monitoring and giving important suggestions; (3) After the implementation of the developed network model, student teachers’ learning management competency was significantly higher than before, at .05 level and also higher than the stated criterion (70%) at .05 level; and (4) A study of successful factors and obstacles in proceeding with the developed network revealed that an exchange of ideas, practical training, technical skills and online media and student teacher attributions for blended learning were successful factors while unreadiness and inability to use instructional materials for blended and inability of some teachers to use various technologies were some of the obstacles.