Teacher Participation in Online Collaborative Learning: Does It Improve Their Teaching Competency?

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a rapid transformation of Teacher Professional Education (TPE) in Indonesia from face-to-face to online. Although the programme is run online, learning activities, namely collaborative learning among programme participants, practitioners, and experts, are increasingly being encouraged. This study attempts to explore online collaborative learning (OCL) from the perspective of teachers participating in TPE. This study uses a qualitative approach with a qualitative e-research framework design, and the respondents were twenty in-service teachers. Data was collected through structured interviews, observation, and related documentation studies. The results suggest that by using various technological devices, programme participants collaborate in designing, implementing, evaluating, and reflecting on innovative learning while participating in the TPE. The contributions are an increase in their problem-solving competence, teaching competence, and information and communication technology competence. Based on the results, several recommendations have been provided for TPE providers, programme designers, and future researchers.

Keywords

• online collaborative learning
• professional development
• teachers' competency
• teacher participation