درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Purpose: This qualitative study explores the perspectives of teachers on integrating socio-political issues into classroom discussions, aiming to understand the challenges and strategies employed by educators in various educational contexts. The objective was to illuminate the factors influencing effective teaching practices concerning socio-political topics, thereby informing educational policies and teacher training programs. Methodology: This study utilized a qualitative research design, with data collected exclusively through semi-structured interviews involving 30 teachers from different educational levels and geographic locations. Participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure a diversity of experiences and perspectives. Data analysis was performed using NVivo software to facilitate thematic analysis, ensuring theoretical saturation was achieved to validate the consistency and comprehensiveness of the findings. Findings: The analysis revealed three main themes: Teacher Preparedness, Student Engagement, and Institutional Support. Under Teacher Preparedness, subthemes included Training and Professional Development, Personal Comfort with Topics, and Curriculum Integration, indicating the need for improved resources and training. Student Engagement was characterized by varying levels of participation and the impact of classroom dynamics on learning, highlighting the influence of teaching methods and environment. Institutional Support emerged as critical, with subthemes like Administrative Guidance and Resources emphasizing the need for stronger institutional backing and adequate resources to support teachers. Conclusion: The study underscores the complexities of discussing socio-political issues in educational settings and the pivotal role of teachers in facilitating these discussions. Effective socio-political education requires comprehensive teacher training, supportive institutional frameworks, and resources that together foster an environment conducive to open and critical discussions. Addressing these factors is crucial for preparing students to participate thoughtfully in democratic processes.

Purpose: Teachers are one of the most important pillars of the education system and play a crucial role within it. Therefore, the present study aimed to design a model for policy-making on empowerment and professional advancement of teachers, focusing on in-service training. Methodology: This study was applied in terms of objective and mixed in terms of implementation method, i.e., qualitative and quantitative. In the qualitative section, the research population consisted of experts familiar with the research field, 10 of whom were selected using purposive sampling based on theoretical saturation and subjected to semi-structured interviews. Furthermore, in the quantitative section, the research population was teachers in the city of Neyshabur, 384 of whom were selected using random sampling according to the Krejcie and Morgan table and responded to a researcher-made questionnaire. In this study, qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on grounded theory in MAXQDA software, and quantitative data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling in SPSS and Smart PLS software. Findings: Qualitative findings indicated that causal conditions included three themes: social needs, changes in educational needs, and the creation of individual needs in teachers; the central phenomenon included three themes: value creation, problem solving, and scientific and practical training; contextual conditions included five themes: proper course implementation, course content richness, a suitable environment, proper planning, and teachers' mindset; intervening conditions included six themes: uncommitted and inexpert managers, improper performance evaluation, improper needs assessment, lack of teaching quality in courses, unconventional teaching methods, and a weak motivational system; strategies included ten themes: successful modeling, course content improvement, region-focused planning, accurate and scientific needs assessment of courses, removing teachers' individual barriers, changes in educational systems, improvement of physical conditions, employing experienced and expert instructors, providing motivational frameworks, and a suitable evaluation system; and outcomes included four themes: social outcomes, improvement in teachers' educational performance, job well-being of teachers, and psychological outcomes of teachers. Quantitative findings showed that the factor loading of all themes (except for 6 themes) was above 0.60, and the Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability of all of them were above 0.70. Additionally, the model for policy-making on empowerment and professional advancement of teachers, with emphasis on in-service training, had a suitable fit, and the effect of causal conditions on the central phenomenon, the effect of the central phenomenon, contextual conditions, and intervening conditions on strategies, and the effect of strategies on outcomes were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The designed model for policy-making on empowerment and professional advancement of teachers, focusing on in-service training, can assist planners in the education system to empower and advance teachers professionally through in-service training.