The challenges and needs of professional teacher training

The growing understanding of learning processes is calling for transformation from lecture-based to student-centered teaching methods. Lecture-based teaching concentrates on rote learning and homogenizes students. Student-centered methods, on the contrary, encourage active and critical thinking, and autonomy by shifting the responsibility from teachers to students, simultaneously developing skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills (Patel-Junankar, 2017). However, changing and adapting to new and different types of teaching may be difficult, especially if teachers lack opportunities for professional development (Misra, 2018).

For reforming the educational system and ensuring high-quality student learning outcomes, teachers should be provided opportunities to develop themselves professionally. In this article, we scrutinize challenges teachers face in their professional development and present how these can be overcome with adequate training. We take a special focus on training needs on problem-based learning (PBL). PBL uses real-world problems to motivate students to familiarize themselves with and apply research concepts and knowledge and work collaboratively (Duch et al., 2001). To be able to practice PBL as a teacher, pedagogical knowledge is needed.

Challenges on teachers’ professional development

The first step in overcoming challenges is to identify them. Based on the literature and our experience within six educational institutions in four countries, we identified the main challenges hindering teachers’ professional development.

Limited knowledge of opportunities. Teachers may not be aware of the professional development opportunities available within their working environment. Professional development is more than specific training programmes. It also includes peer classroom observation, coaching, discussions, networking and classroom-based action research.

Difficult working conditions. Insufficient renumeration, overcrowded classrooms, lack of materials, unsafe working environment and lack of respect are some of the reasons that demotivate teachers, subsequently decreasing their performance and willingness to develop.

Lack of support. The lack of teacher professionalism is often a reflection of the lack of professionalism in the education system. Hierarchical and rigid education systems demotivate teachers (Gemeda & Tynjälä, 2015). Worn-out teachers may resist attempts to enhance their professional abilities, especially when professional development does not result in improvements in classroom practices or career.

Lack of teacher identity. Many teachers become teachers, not by will, but by necessity, and may thus, lack professional identity or desire to strengthen that identity.

Lack of confidence. Teachers’ believing in themselves is positively correlated with teacher performance (Akyeampong, 2003). Teachers with low confidence—resulting from inadequate professional support—get frustrated. This in turn undermines teacher-student relationships, the quality of teaching, and the notion of teaching as a desirable profession. Teachers may not engage in professional development if they think nothing will change.

Poorly designed professional development. Professional development opportunities are often episodic, lack qualified facilitators and learning strategies, reflect budget constraints and face logistical challenges (Darling-Hammond, 2000). Not surprisingly, this causes teachers to perceive development programmes as low quality and irrelevant, demotivating participation.

Insufficient policies and budget for professional development. Thelack of robust policies and strategies leads to poorly organized training for teachers. This shows up as difficulties in timetabling, lack of harmonized schemes and insufficient budget (Darling-Hammond, 2000).

Professional development needs of teachers

To ensure quality teaching and learning, and incorporation of problem-based learning into teachers’ toolbox, teachers must receive adequate development opportunities. Below are some cardinal professional development needs and prerequisites.

Setting training standards and strategies. Institutionalizing standards and policies is the key to constant and up-to-date professional development. Setting up and governing standards for teachers, teaching methodology and quality, can be a game changer in the teaching and learning culture. Strategies should enhance educational coordination between different entities and enable fitting teacher training into staff calendars and university budgets.

Curriculum review. To adopt and implement the student-centered teaching approach, there is a need to transform from a traditional to a competence-based curriculum (Bergsmann et al., 2015). This process can improve professional development by improving communication and collaboration among the university community, decreasing teachers’ frustration.

Capacity building. A capacity building enhances teachers’ performance by building up their confidence and appreciation of their work. The transition towards PBL will require adequate sensitization to teachers and through them to students.

Opportunities for teacher collaboration. Collaborating with colleagues has been linked to increased teacher effectiveness and improved student performance (Kraft & Papay, 2014). Collaboration increases teachers’ willingness to adopt innovations (Granovetter & Soong, 1983). Building up a collaborative team spirit will improve the working environment and provide a platform for peer-support and sharing.

Digital competencies. Digital learning and teaching are necessities in today’s world. Teachers need constant support and opportunities to gain new competences in the digital era: how to use different digital tools, utilize learning with smartphones and social media, and how to accommodate the student-centered approach in these (Cochrane & Bateman, 2010; Gikas & Grant, 2013).

Training needs on problem-based learning

Inadequate professional development, and subsequently, lack of trained personnel are major factors hindering PBL adoption and implementation (Ibrahim & Al-Shahrani, 2018). The main training needs relating to PBL include:

Changing the mindset. In PBL teachers transform from directors to facilitators, which may make teachers feel less in control (Mansor et al., 2015). Thus, implementing PBL requires a mindset change. Just like any new teaching approach, the initial stages will be challenging. Teachers need training and peer-support to overcome the initial feelings of frustration and loss of control.

Identifying problem scenarios. Good problem scenarios are key to the success of PBL but coming up with problem scenarios can be challenging. Teachers initiating PBL require advice on how to formulate functional problem scenarios.

Managing PBL in large classes. Overcrowded classes are a reality in many educational institutions and implementing PBL within them may feel difficult. Thus, it’s important to provide training with practical tips on how to manage PBL in large classes.

Managing teams. To enable effective and vibrant student teamwork, the teacher must know how to strategically form and handle teams to prevent free-riding, personality clashes, blame and responsibility issues (Mansor et al., 2015). Training should also focus on how to assess teams and individuals within teams, and how to administrate peer-assessment and feedback systems (Michaelsen et al., 2014).

Time, workload and resource management. Teachers and students have complained PBL takes a lot of time, resulting in fewer topics being covered (Mansor et al., 2015). A lack of computers and other materials may also hinder PBL usage (Mansor et al., 2015).To become efficient PBL facilitators, teachers must learn how to plan and implement PBL with limited physical and time resources.

Conclusions

Lack of professional development opportunities and subsequently, inadequate knowledge of and skills to implement PBL are core factors leading to the low adoption rates of the method. Thus, teachers need to be given comprehensive training on pedagogical practices and PBL, as well as full support from the whole educational system. In this article, we have identified the main challenges related to teachers’ professional development and on implementing PBL and provided solutions and recommendations to overcome these challenges. We encourage training providers and the whole educational community to utilize these findings and provide quality professional development opportunities for teachers around the world.

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This article has been written as part of a professional Problem-Based Learning Training Programme for East and Southern African university teachers. The training programme was organized as part of the AgriSCALE project (https://www.agriscale.net/) activities during 2021. AgriSCALE is an EU-funded project coordinated by Häme University of Applied Sciences (FIN), that aims to reform agricultural education and curricula in East and Southern African universities. Project partners include nine universities from East and Southern Africa and Europe.