The Dynamic Integrated Approach to teacher professional development: rationale and main characteristics

Abstract

This paper refers to the Dynamic Integrated Approach (DIA) towards teacher<br/>professional development, which attempts to merge research findings on teacher<br/>effectiveness and teacher professional development. The theoretical framework<br/>and the major features of the DIA are presented. It is argued that the DIA can be<br/>effectively implemented through five steps: establishing clarity and consensus<br/>about aims and objectives; identifying needs and priorities for improvement<br/>through empirical investigation; provision of improvement guidelines, reflection<br/>opportunities and coaching on effective teaching by the Advisory and Research<br/>Team; establishing a formative evaluation mechanism; and finally establishing a<br/>summative evaluation system. Results of empirical studies providing support to<br/>the basic elements and the overall effectiveness of the DIA are also presented.<br/>Implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for further research,<br/>particularly in exploring the conditions under which the DIA could have a<br/>long-lasting effect on teacher effectiveness, are finally drawn