Subject Teacher Conference as a Catalyst for Transformative Learning among English Teachers of Junior High Schools in Sumbawa Regency
Henny Soepriyanti, Eka Fitriana, Udin
Faculty of Education
School of Languages and Arts
University of Mataram
Abstract
The West Nusa Tenggara Ministry of Education and Culture has made substantial efforts to revitalize the Subject Teachers Conference (a.k.a MGMP) through various types of professional development programs, but these efforts are not well documented yet. Thus, its impact is not widely known among educators in the region. The implementation of MGMPs generally takes place routinely every year without any effort of the competent parties to evaluate its benefits and effectiveness. The current study aims to describe the success factors of the MGMP as a catalyst for transformative learning among English teachers of junior high school in Sumbawa Regency, outline the impact of transformative learning on the teachers- improved professionalism and uncover constraints faced by English teachers of junior high schools in practicing transformative learning in MGMP. The study employed a qualitative approach to account for teachers- developed transformative learning in MGMP. A qualitative research design with a multiple-case study approach was used as the basis for collecting, analyzing and comparing data from the field. This data were obtained through a number of activities in the field, such as focused group discussions, observations, and document studies. These data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis approach. The process of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing and verification followed prior to the report of the findings. The research reveals two different types of transformative learning experienced by the participants: Inclusive Transformation (IT) and Transitional Transformation (TT). Detail explanation for each is provided in this paper.
Keywords: Subject Teachers Conference, Transformative Learning, Professional Development
Topic: Other Areas of Education