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Research focused on teacher efficacy, an issue critical to the success of both teachers and students in Alberta classrooms, has been recognized with an award from the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA).
The Association presented its $5,000 ATA Educational Research Award to Robert Klassen, an associate professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta.
Teacher efficacy, according to sources cited by Klassen, refers to teachers’ judgments about their capabilities to promote student learning.
Klassen’s research findings indicated teachers would benefit from having access to professional development tailored to meet the specific needs that emerge at different stages of their careers. “Using professional development opportunities to boost skills and teachers’ self-efficacy may increase student engagement and also increase teacher engagement and enjoyment of the teaching process,” said Klassen in a summary of his research.
“Klassen’s research reinforces the importance of professional development, which is a major function of the ATA,” said ATA President Carol Henderson. “Professional development is necessary to building teacher efficacy which, in turn, contributes to the development of confident and motivated teachers who can effectively engage their students in learning.”
The award is presented annually to a faculty of education member or sessional lecturer at an Alberta university who has undertaken high quality research on classroom teaching and learning.
