Jubilate Rogathe Shuma, William A.L. Anangisye and Mjege Kinyota
This paper aims to unveil opportunities for promoting teacher ethics through quality school-based professional development (S-BPD) programmes to improve teachers’ ethical conduct…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to unveil opportunities for promoting teacher ethics through quality school-based professional development (S-BPD) programmes to improve teachers’ ethical conduct in Tanzanian primary schools.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study uses an institutional ethnography design. The data were collected through interviews, focus group discussion, observation and documentary review. Data analysis was guided by Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework of thematic analysis.
Findings
Opportunities to promote teacher ethics drew on quality S-BPD programmes. These opportunities include interactions with morally committed teachers, introduction of the civic and moral subject, prevalence of teacher misconduct, ideal school leadership and development and access to affordable technology.
Practical implications
The study provides useful insights into how to reshape teachers’ ethical competences and to link theory and practice in teaching. Moreover, the study suggests school-based solutions to the problem of resource scarcity for teachers to retool their professional competences.
Originality/value
The opportunities revealed are critical for promoting teacher ethics through quality S-BPD programmes in primary schools because teacher ethics is learned. The study offers insights into how to improve teacher ethics in primary schools. It concludes that internalising these opportunities as a whole is vital, as they have the potential to promote teacher ethics in Tanzanian public primary schools.
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Kipelo Obed, William A.L. Anangisye and Philipo Sanga
This study aims to investigate academic integrity considerations of Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) usage in assessment activities among the finalist student teachers…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate academic integrity considerations of Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) usage in assessment activities among the finalist student teachers at the University of Dar es Salaam. The study builds upon other previous studies on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. However, it is unique in terms of its context and the focus on integrity.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was used to collect data from 383 finalist student teachers, and other 30 students were involved in focus group discussions (FGDs). Data for this study were analysed using IBM-SPSS Statistics Versions 25 to obtain descriptive statistics for the quantitative part and thematic analysis was used along with QDA Miner Lite for the qualitative part to generate themes.
Findings
Student teachers consider ChatGPT as a transformative AI technology to ease the accomplishment of their assessment tasks. However, a large percentage of them did not pay much attention to academic integrity while using the AI tool. About 199 (52%) out of 383 respondents said ChatGPT is a useful tool in generating answers for their assessment tasks compared to 192 (50.1%) of respondents who had negative opinions.
Research limitations/implications
Given the sensitivity of the topic on academic integrity some participants were hesitant to share information until when the researchers clarified the purpose of the study. Participants were told that the information they would provide was purely for academic purpose. Also, this study was conducted when students’ regular classes were in progress, such that it was challenging to set universal time to conduct FGDs where all intended participants could attend. The researcher was flexible enough to find hours which were conducive for participants to participate in FGDs.
Practical implications
For practitioners, given the fact that ChatGPT is a relatively new AI tool, training for raising awareness of its use should be conducted. Besides, specific academic integrity guidelines for its ethical use should be formulated and implemented. Likewise, instructors should set questions that prompt students original thinking which the AI tool cannot easily give contextualized solutions.
Social implications
The university where the AI tool is used is an open system that is within the society, and the impacts of AI technologies are inevitable in social domains. The society, therefore, should be informed about the emerging AI tools with their associated potentials and shortcomings to safeguard the norms and interests of the society.
Originality/value
The study provides a comprehensive overview of student teachers’ ChatGPT use and its implication on academic integrity. Given the novelty nature of ChatGPT use in education, course instructors and students may benefit from insights into responsible utilization of this AI technology without compromising integrity and quality of education.
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Enitha M. Msamba, Erasmus A. Msuya and William A.L. Anangisye
In Tanzania, in-service training was implemented to facilitate teachers understanding and implementation of the competency-based curriculum in the English language. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
In Tanzania, in-service training was implemented to facilitate teachers understanding and implementation of the competency-based curriculum in the English language. This study aims to evaluate whether or not the in-service training was effectively planned to achieve its goals.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a narrative research design that focuses on analysing the story of a particular event, object or programme as it occurred in a specific social context. Thirty-two purposefully selected respondents were interviewed, and data were analysed using the thematic approach.
Findings
The study found strengths and weaknesses in the in-service training planning process. The strength included coherence between the need for in-service training and country priority. Moreover, collective participation was promoted since all trainees were English language teachers. Perceived weaknesses included a lack of coherence between training objectives and teachers’ actual needs. Equally, collective participation was limited because trainees taught mixed grades with varied work environments and experiences. Besides, heads of schools were not involved in training planning. Even those tasked with a lead role in cascading training to untrained teachers lacked the confidence and competence to do so.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the body of knowledge by uncovering weaknesses associated with in-service planning in Tanzania. The study calls upon the future planners of in-service training to consider the elements of effective in-service training during the planning and ensure that the views of all stakeholders at the macro and micro levels are assessed for quality programme implementation and better results.