The perceptions of the teachers as a basis for co-operative planning of in-service activities

The main objective of this study was to develop a method of planning of in- service activities which ‘pay attention'not only to the contents of the message to be transmitted (what to say), but also to the perspective of the teachers, i.e. their perceptions and concerns about the educational activity they are being trained for. During the implementation of a new curriculum, a sample of experienced and successful biology teachers were observed and interviewed about the desirability, feasibility and actual use of some recommended methods of teaching. A second sample, consisting of high-ranking teachers, was then interviewed on their own opinions on the same topics and about the opinions of their observed peers. In view of the responses of the teachers, it became clear that the nature of the ‘training'activities would have to match the variety of the responses of the teachers, otherwise they would definitely not meet the demands of effective communication with the teachers.