| Abstract [eng] |
This master’s thesis analyses the possibilities and conditions of preschool teachers’ teaching and learning in the workplace, as well as its significance in ensuring the quality of (self-)education. Teacher’s role in an educational establishment is becoming multi-faceted. It requires fresh knowledge, competencies, ability to develop educational strategies for students, teamwork, communication and collaboration skills. Therefore, constant growth is seen as an integral part of any teacher's regular professional activities. One way of teachers’ professional development is teaching and learning in the workplace, which enables them to not only refresh their knowledge and gain new skills but also learn how to efficiently employ them in the teaching process with their students. The object of the thesis preschool teachers’ teaching and learning in the workplace. The aim of the thesis is to reveal the experiences of preschool teachers’ teaching and learning in the workplace and the importance they have on the quality of (self-)education. The thesis discusses teaching and learning of preschool teachers, the conditions and opportunities of teaching and learning in the workplace as well as its significance in the overall quality of (self-)education. In order to reach the aim of the thesis various research methods were employed: theoretical ones – scientific literature and document analysis, empirical ones – a mix of qualitative (analysis of strategic and action plans of a preschool establishment in Radviliškis, semi-structured interview with the management of the said establishment, analysis of structured reflections from the teachers) and quantitative (a survey for the parents of students going to the preschool establishment) research methods. In addition, descriptive statistics were used to describe the basic features of the data in the study. The main research findings illustrate that preschool teachers’ teaching and learning in the workplace is encouraged by the management and accordingly organized as a way of professional growth, letting teachers gain and refresh their knowledge and skills. Teaching and learning in the workplace most often happen through participation in seminars, conferences, activities organized by colleagues. Additionally, the results of the research highlight teaching and learning in workplace as a significant variable in the quality of the (self-)education – a qualified and competent teacher is involved in the continuous process of education, capable of choosing necessary teaching methods, analyzing and reflecting on his or her work. |
