The Effectiveness of a Video-Based Learning Community in Improving Observation Skills and Enhancing Professional Awareness of Primary School Mathematics Teachers in Palestinian Schools - A Case Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Edu.2025.11005Keywords:
Video-based learning community, professional development of mathematics teachers, observation skills, professional awareness, Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), Levels of Awareness, reflective practice.Abstract
Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a video-based learning community in improving observation skills and enhancing the professional awareness of mathematics teachers. This was explored through an analytical theoretical framework that integrates Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) with Mason's levels of awareness, in an effort to deepen both theoretical and practical understanding of teacher development.
Methods: A qualitative case study approach was used, involving a purposive sample of three mathematics teachers in Palestine. Data were collected through various tools, including the analysis of video clips from the participants’ lessons, written self-reflections, collaborative reflections within the learning community, and pre- and post-interviews for each teacher.
Results: The findings showed that the use of video recordings, followed by learning community discussions, helped enhance the teachers’ awareness of important classroom events that had previously gone unnoticed. It also improved their pedagogical content knowledge. The learning community contributed to developing self-awareness, content-specific awareness, and peer awareness by promoting reflective thinking and observation, leading to tangible improvements in teaching practices and professional competence.
Conclusion: The study offers both theoretical and practical contributions to understanding the professional growth of mathematics teachers in terms of awareness, observation skills, and attention shifts. The researchers recommend applying this approach to a larger sample across different grades and subjects. They also advocate for incorporating video-based learning communities into professional development programs to improve teaching quality and support learning outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dirasat: Educational Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Accepted 2025-06-03
Published 2025-07-23
