The Interconnected model of teacher professional growth elaborated by Clarke and Hollingsworth (2002) is based on four intertwined domains of teacher action: the external domain, the domain of consequence, the personal domain and the domain of practice. The aim of the research is to examine how the model works in the Croatian education system using the example of a biology teacher’s case study. In the theoretical part, an overview of the theoretical foundations of the model is described with reference to (...) its application in studies on the professional growth of teachers. The empirical part of the paper presents the results of the research in accordance with the domains of the Interconnected model of the teacher’s professional growth. The results showed the complexity of teacher growth network processes that sometimes take place simultaneously in different domains and in different directions. The paper contributes to the deepening of scientific knowledge in the field of teacher professional growth, which is an important strategy in achieving the general well-being of students and schools, and thus the education system as a whole. (shrink)

Kako bismo utvrdili značajke učinkovitog stručnog usavršavanja učitelja prirodoslovne grupe predmeta, na temelju sustavnog pregleda literature izabrali smo i proveli analizu devet učinkovitih eksperimentalnih i kvazi eksperimentalnih istraživanja. Utvrdili smo kako bi stručno usavršavanje bilo dobro započeti inicijalnim radionicama koje je potrebno nastaviti kroz susrete zajednica učenja za vrijeme ostvarivanja promjena. Uz to je važno osigurati potporu i vođenje učitelja te nastavne materijale za učitelje i učenike. Stručno usavršavanje može biti učinkovito samo ako doprinese boljim učeničkim rezultatima, a to je (...) moguće postići promjenama u nastavi koja bi trebala polaziti od jasno postavljenih ciljeva u skladu s kojima učitelji pripremaju nastavne aktivnosti koje učenike potiču na istraživanje, rješavanje životnih problema, aktivno i suradničko učenje te znanstveno i metakognitivno mišljenje. In order to affirm the characteristics of efficient professional training of teachers in the natural sciences, on the basis of a systematic overview of the literature, we chose and implemented an analysis of nine efficient experimental and quasi-experimental research designs. We affirmed that professional training should begin with initial workshops, which should continue through meetings of learning cummunities during these changes. Additionally, it is important to ensure support and guidance for teachers, as well as teaching materials for teachers and students. Professional training can be considered efficient only if it contributes to improved academic performance; this can be attained through changes in teaching, which should be founded on clearly established goals in accordance with which teachers may prepare teaching activities that inspire students to research, solve everyday problems, take part in active and cooperative learning, and think scientifically and metacognitively. (shrink)

In order to affirm the characteristics of efficient professional training of teachers in the natural sciences, on the basis of a systematic overview of the literature, we chose and implemented an analysis of nine efficient experimental and quasi-experimental research designs. We affirmed that professional training should begin with initial workshops, which should continue through meetings of learning cummunities during these changes. Additionally, it is important to ensure support and guidance for teachers, as well as teaching materials for teachers and students. (...) Professional training can be considered efficient only if it contributes to improved academic performance; this can be attained through changes in teaching, which should be founded on clearly established goals in accordance with which teachers may prepare teaching activities that inspire students to research, solve everyday problems, take part in active and cooperative learning, and think scientifically and metacognitively. (shrink)