Cultures of teaching: Mapping the teacher professional development terrain

Abstract

© Universiti Putra Malaysia Press. Given the relationship between cultures of teaching and teacher professional development, this mixed methods research project documents and depicts a Thai university's teaching cultures and the extent to which cultures of teaching determine teacher professional development. An analysis of data collected demonstrates a lack of teacher collaboration within this particular workplace. The participating teachers rarely have opportunities to share and learn from colleagues. Indeed, teachers' practices of balkanisation, individualism, and contrived collegiality temper collaboration among these teachers. Further, relationship between cultures of teaching and teacher professional development in this workplace is evident. Notwithstanding a lack of collaboration, the participating teachers have abundant opportunities for professional development. Most of these opportunities are, however, administratively mediated. Despite such opportunities, these participating teachers do little to develop themselves.