Portuguese Principals’ Professional Development Needs and Preferred Learning Methods

Bibliographic Data

ID22049360
AuthorsRosário Serrão Cunha (0000-0002-2382-7479, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, corresponding author), Mireia Tintoré (0000-0002-4993-3691, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya), Ilídia Cabral (0000-0002-0328-4745, Universidade Católica Portuguesa), José Matias Alves (0000-0002-9490-9957, Universidade Católica Portuguesa)
Year2020
Volume10
Issue9
Pages219
Publication date2020-08-27
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci10090219
OpenAlexW3081376225
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited23

Due to the crucial role principals have on school outcomes, investing in their training is a cost-effective approach for schools’ improvement. Research shows that principals attribute pertinence to their ongoing professional development. However, little research has been conducted on principals’ training needs from their viewpoint, particularly in Portugal. Through individual interviews (n = 19) and a questionnaire (n = 117) to principals, we collected data that enable us to understand principals’ perceptions on their training needs, focusing on learning areas, skills to be developed and learning methods. Results show considerable variability, reinforcing the relevance of tailored and contextualised approaches to professional development. Globally, principals request management skills and training opportunities that enable them to develop leadership skills (e.g., personal, interpersonal/socioemotional). Moreover, principals need training on instructional and distributed leadership practices. Collaborative and reflective methods are the ones principals prefer. Practical implications for the design of systematic professional development practices, in a lifelong perspective, are also discussed

Faculty Development · Interpersonal communication · Lifelong learning · Management development · Medical education · Pedagogy · Perception · Political science · Portuguese · Professional development · Socioemotional selectivity theory · Computer Science · Educational Practices and Policies · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology · Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

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