Minggu, 25 Oktober 2015

The Teacher Leader in Context of Shared Leadership in Public Schools

Münevver Çetin1,, Sıtar Keser2
1Marmara University, Atatürk Faculty of Education, İstanbul, Turkey
2Teacher, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

In this research, the main purpose is that teachers put forward their views in the context of the responsibilities they incur in the presence of the existing change and conversion at schools, and assess these views within the teacher leader perspective in the context of shared leadership. Thus, in this research the responsibilities of teachers, what kind of a role they play in the context of change and conversion, their views about their position in the school organization and the sufficiency of this position are the points that are targeted to be found out. In this study, qualitative data collection design is used in accordance with the purpose of receiving the opinions of teachers regarding the teacher leader responsibilities in the context of shared leadership. The study group of this research consists of 30 teachers from various fields who work in public schools in the 2014-2015 academic year. The data acquired from the opinions of participant teachers are evaluated in the context of five different themes: (1) Student learning, (2) Career development, (3) Organizational change, (4) Environmental change and (5) Education policies. The analysis of the opinions of participants in the context of student learning reveals that the altruist approach that centers students in providing student learning and developing it is expressed more. The analysis of the participants’ opinions in the context of career development reveals that this kind of efforts develop based on following periodicals, reading books, experience sharing and exchange of ideas.

Cite this article:

  • Münevver Çetin, Sıtar Keser. The Teacher Leader in Context of Shared Leadership in Public Schools. American Journal of Educational Research. Vol. 3, No. 8, 2015, pp 1027-1035. http://pubs.sciepub.com/education/3/8/13

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1. Introduction

The complex structure of our age deeply affects our whole life, and causes us to be exposed to different types of stimulants at different levels thousands of times in our daily routine. This diversifies our personal needs and also our expectations that come along based on these needs. Different expectations of different individuals become partners on the social ground and personal expectations turn into social demand. In our age in which sociability and individuality intertwine, the organizations that emerge with the claim to satisfy these expectations and that are fed sometimes with public funding and sometimes with private enterprise find the opportunity to survive as long as they sustain their claim to satisfy these expectations; the other organizations on the other hand disappear off the face of the earth due to the inability to be the answer for these expectations. At this point, the question ‘what kind of an organizational structure can survive?’ confronts us. In other words the question ‘what kind of an organizational structure can be the answer for the expectations?’ confronts us.
Because of the complex structure of the age, it is unlikely to expect the old hierarchical and vertical structuring of the old times to meet the social demands of the age. At this point, the organizational models of which the specific weight of every single element that is based on horizontal relationships shine out, and also the organizational models in which the power in total becomes important come to the forefront. The organizational models of which every member incurs responsibility and brings his/her personal expectations – that make the existence of them important at formal and informal levels – in conformity with organizational goals come up with the claim of satisfying the social and individual expectations of the age. Within the scope of shared leadership styles, leadership is addressed in a collective context, every member of it has a perception based on this reality and team works turn into active elements of leadership, and therefore shared leadership styles make possible the organizational models that aim to meet the social expectations mentioned above.
The first and foremost place that the diversity of social demands is most intensely felt is the educational institutions. This diversity of social demands increases the number and diversity of individuals and communities that schools deal with. This diversity also increases and diversifies the responsibilities that every factor of educational institutions – primarily schools – assumes and has to assume. That is why the shared leadership models that develop in the context of collective leadership turn into important mechanisms for schools with regards to being the answer of expectations. The shared leadership applications that take shape in this sense go beyond the leadership spiral that is defined in the formal dimension and pave the way for turning every teacher into teacher leader on an informal basis which also includes the formal basis.
1.1. Shared LeadershipThe most common problem in the group works of organizations is the ‘how should the group leadership be?’ problem. A versatile leadership style that is to reveal the competences and skills of every single group member at a maximum level and therefore increase the performance and efficiency of the group has become important. Creating an organizational climate in which all the members can transfer their skills, funds of knowledge and experiences to the extent that the organization needs them, in other words every single member is a “leader” to the extent that the organization needs that leadership will be important in making the group spirit functional [1].
A recent dispute is about the question ‘which forms of management will be adequate in meeting the new needs that have come in sight?’ and this dispute has started especially with the applications becoming prominent in which group spirit shines out. The question ‘with which leadership can new circumstances like innovation be made sustainable?’ has become one of the principal questions. At this point, one of the leadership forms having the ability to be the answer for this kind of questions is the “Shared Leadership” which is expected to contribute especially the innovation-based behaviors of organization members [6].
The analyses of studies regarding leadership reveal that the leadership forms that provide a basis for shared leadership are addressed on three bases [14]:
1. Distributed and dependent leadership; on this basis of leadership, a leadership structure is presented in which leadership applications and tasks are distributed to others at every level in an organizational context rather than hierarchical relationships based on a formal structure.
2. Leadership based on social interaction; leadership is a process which is created together by the leader and his/her followers. It is process that is based on dynamic, versatile and collective applications, and that develops in the context of common interests and goals between members.
3. Learned leadership; in this perspective, leadership is presented as a process that is based on the sharing between individuals and groups, in which leadership is learned and shaped together and that produces positive results. Leadership is a process that is shaped in the context of the development of every member’s communication skills (transparency, trust, conflict management) and other skills (self-awareness, teaching strategies).
The leadership perspectives that take shape in this context are observed to focus on leadership styles like shared leadership, distributed leadership and cooperative leadership which do not highlight the individualism in which current leadership conceptualizations are inclusive of the leadership practice of the group members who have very different qualities in managing the group together [9].
These leadership styles are the styles that ground on mutual interaction rather than central and autocratic decision making processes, on that sense develop based on an interactive process, put forward a cooperative leadership and are collateral in a theoretical regard. Even though these leadership perspectives differ in certain ways, they resemble each other in emphasizing human affairs in organizational life and bringing a social perspective to organizational life [8].
The essential point of distributed leadership is the fact that more than one individual take responsibility at the point of leadership. The leadership responsibilities are divided between different individuals. In shared leadership on the other hand, leadership should be understood as a process that develops between peers and followers. It also does not lay down the fact as a condition that the shared leadership process of every individual gets involved in the process at the formal level [8]. In other words while distributed leadership come in sight based on the distribution of tasks and responsibilities – that take shape in a formal context –between individuals, shared leadership comes into the picture as a process that contains the sharing of leadership rather than dividing the leadership responsibilities which has an informal dimension as well.
Shared leadership is the sharing or distributing of activities in order to provide the functionality of the group. In this sense shared leadership can be described as a dynamic and interactive process in which group members mutually interact in achieving both the group’s goals and the organization’s goals. Therefore it is possible to indicate that the factor that separates shared leadership from the traditional leadership styles based on an individual is that it highlights a process based on interaction rather than the top-down influencing process of status-based leadership. In other words it grounds on horizontal relations. Leadership is divided between individuals rather than an individual who plays the leadership role (quoted from Pearce and Conger by NHS [11]). It is handled as a designed process that aims to achieve the goals of the group or organization which take shape based on the needs that emerge in a contingent context and the competences of its members, and grounds on the sharing of activities between members [2]. In this regard, shared leadership is an interactive leadership process based on mutual interaction in which every member influences another member in order to achieve predetermined goals [8].
As different descriptions in Table 1 suggest, there are some differences in the descriptions made in the context of shared leadership. However it is possible to observe similar descriptions because of the following facts; (1) focusing on leadership process, (2) the way of defining leadership, (3) the sharing or distributing of leadership, (4) dynamics of leadership process and (5) grounding on multiple roles and functions [3].
1.2. The Teacher LeaderIt is possible to indicate that shared leadership has a strong impact on group behaviors, manners, cognition level and performance since it corresponds to a dynamic interactive process between group members [12]. Shared leadership indicates the powerful relationship between learning and teaching due to the fact that it highlights interaction [14]. Schools are the foremost institutions in which the most intense interaction between learning and teaching is experienced. In fact the existence of schools is built on this service. Schools are the organizations that learn more than all other organizations and they are places at which all the participants – teachers, students, managers and parents – can develop their creating and succeeding capacities all the time [7].

Table 1. Definitions of Shared Leadership by Theoretical Distinction

At a traditional school, leadership reveals itself in a practice that is based on the periodical meetings of managers and the assistant managers about the procedural processes and things to do. The decisions made are conveyed to teachers as long as the decisions concern them. Executives of schools focus more on the processes about the entrance of resources. They are interested in subjects like whether textbooks have arrived or not, and which room or which classroom needs which equipment [16].
Nonetheless in a school where shared leadership is effective, all adults be a part of a process that grounds on learning together and continuously, and thus they help every student attain the optimal learning level that they are able to reach. The school executive plays the facilitator role. He/she guides the teachers in developing their effectiveness. For example he/she takes the initiative of the event in which teachers in every community or branch come together at certain intervals. He/she provides that teachers take initiative in structuring the processes of education. In other words every single teacher turns into a leader and contributes the co-creation of the leadership process [16].
Learning should be handled as a process in which all the school community gets involved rather than a process that is given place only in in-classroom activities. In other words schools should be places where decision processes are addressed in a free and open way in order to proactively answer possible changes, educational services are openly conducted and resources are allocated considering every student’s needs. Within this perspective, schools which are expected to be an answer for modern-day needs should have the following qualities [13]:
•  An open vision that is supported with a cluster of values that is to guide the process of the shaping of the applications, processes and policies at school,
•  A strong focus on student outputs that enrich the teaching and learning applications and at the same time the curriculum,
•  Turning into an information-based and professional learning community that grounds on continuous development which provides personal development at a perfect level,
•  All stakeholders including teachers, families and also other members of the society playing an active role in developing a powerful cooperation in order to develop and carry a step further the existing potential,
•  The existence of a school management that grounds on openness and transparency and takes the responsibility of ensuring accountability in order to guarantee that public funding is utilized appropriately.
It is inevitable to actualize an approach that necessitates every member of the school to play certain roles in creating the school qualities mentioned and making these qualities permanent, and this role-playing should be at the leadership level. The basis should be a school climate that grounds on continuous interaction in the context of shared leadership and therefore grounds on the fact that every member of the school gets involved in the learning process and develop their competence. At this point the concept of teacher leader comes in sight.
Three primary factors, which will enable shared leadership to be invigorated at school where the teacher turns into a leader, should be provided to be clear (quoted from Spillane by Lindahl [10]): (1) distribution of work, (2) joint effort and (3) parallel effort. These factors draw the frame of who undertakes what, what should be the necessary joint performance of community or department teachers and the working process that goes parallel with other communities, departments and the management. In other words, ensuring the school community turning into an integrated structure is emphasized. In this regard it is expected that shared leadership is made functional, in other words the school preserves its qualities and thus keeps pace with the changing process and the teachers who are called the teacher leaders play various roles.
Teachers can contribute the planning stage by providing feedbacks regarding the applications of learning and teaching processes since they are the first hand implementers and followers of these applications. The teacher leaders fulfill their key roles in achieving the targets and the vision of the school with their competences at the expertise level. The teacher leader roles reveal themselves in a quite wide range from contributing the curriculum, being an authority in the meaning of expertise and being a member of school development teams to being a mentor to colleagues who have less experience or who need a mentor, being active researchers and more importantly establishing very strong bonds with the classroom [5].
The teacher leaders can set an example for all their friends and the whole school community, they can play an active role in the monitoring and evaluation processes and they can contribute the planning stage of various applications before they are implemented. There are teacher leader roles that are put forward by different researchers as shown by Table 2 apart from the possible contributions mentioned above originating from teachers in the context of shared leadership [10].

Table 2. Expectations from Teacher Leaders in the Context of Shared Leadership

Harris [5] handled the teacher leader roles in four dimensions with different aspects, and these roles have been presented from different perspectives: (1) brokering (2) participative (3) mediating and (4) collaborative roles [5].
1. Brokering role: This dimension is about the teacher’s role of being able to transfer the developments that emerge in the context of education to in-classroom implementations. This role contains an emphasis to the responsibility of the teacher in the creation of op-portunities of making the maximum use of developments that are to contribute in a school context.
2. Participative role: The second dimension emphasizes the teacher leader role in the con-text of the conversion of every single teacher into a factor of the leadership process with reference to the awareness that every teacher is a part of change and conversion. The teacher leaders help the other colleagues of them on the grounds of possible develop-ments, and they support the implementations that strengthen collaboration. They guide the process of making a joint effort within common goals.
3. Mediating role: The third dimension emphasizes the mediating role of the teacher leader in the enhancing of the school. Teacher leaders are experts in their field and they are one of the most important sources of information at this point. The expertise of outside sources should also be utilized whenever needed.
4. Collaborative role: This dimension contains the roles regarding the development of close relationships between teachers and getting involved in the learning processes that will together and mutually contribute both the personal and professional development based on these relationships.
The school leadership of which teachers are also a part is not effective only in the area bordered by school walls. The school leaders who play roles based on shared leadership also play roles in establishing relationships and developing this collaboration with other schools and communities that surround the school. They share resources and create working opportunities together based on the roles they play in order to strengthen the collaboration. At the same time they contribute the development of a culture that will be influential in producing a social benefit based on responsibility by increasing the role of the school [15].
Ultimately the teacher leadership takes shape at the point of fulfilling the needs of the following three factors: (1) student, (2) school and (3) teaching profession [4]. It produces social benefit in proportion to the contribution of it to these three factors. Its contribution regarding this social benefit necessitates taking various roles in quite different fields. A great variety of teacher leader responsibilities can be gathered under the following fields [4]:
Domain 1 – Creating and developing a collaborative culture that feeds the learning of students and professional development: The teacher leader knows what the learning principles are. He/she contributes the development of a collaborative culture at school based on joint responsibility. Teacher leaders do not abstain from sharing their fund of knowledge with their colleagues on the basis of trust and respect in order to enhance student learning.
Domain 2 – Making research in order to develop implementations of education and student learning and using the research results: Teacher leaders know the ways to reach new information, transfer what they achieve to implementation and develop the teaching and learning processes. It all turns into a continuous learning and teaching process.
Domain 3 – Continuing professional learning for continuous development: The teacher leaders are aware of the teaching and learning processes, the existing and new technologies and the development and change in the nature of school community. He/she uses the funds of knowledge that constitute the base for this awareness in designing, maintaining and facilitating the professional learning that centers the school development. In this regard, the teacher leader fulfills the following responsibilities:
Domain 4 – Facilitating education and learning processes: The teacher leader has deep knowledge in the context of teaching and learning processes. He/she uses this fund of knowledge in the development of learning competences of his/her colleagues. As a constant learner, he/she turns into a model in the development of students and reveals this with his/her implementations. He/she works collaboratively with his/her colleagues in the context of shared vision, mission and goals.
Domain 5 – Gathering information to contribute the development of the school and the school environment, using the evaluation data acquired as a result of this information and making this process periodical: The teacher leaders are informed about current classroom and school-based researches and they have the competency of developing and choosing the appropriate assessment methods. They share all their information with their colleagues in order to enrich the learning processes of students and develop collaboration with their colleagues. They make an effort to contribute the development of the school and its environment.
Domain 6 – Collaborating with families and other communities and developing this process: The teacher leaders are aware of the important impact of families, communities and different cultures on educational process and student learning. They work with colleagues, families, business leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders to make a systematic collaboration permanent in order to contribute the development of the system of education and create opportunities in the context of student learning.
Domain 7 – Defending and supporting student learning and teaching profession: The teacher leader is aware of the effect levels and who the school executives, law-makers and other stakeholders are to have an impact on the formulation of educational policies the local and national levels. He/she uses his/her fund of knowledge in developing teaching processes and raising student learning level on a basis that considers student needs. As a member of this school community, he/she reveals his/her fund of knowledge in educational and professional implementations.
In this research, the main purpose is that teachers put forward their views in the context of the responsibilities they incur in the presence of the existing change and conversion at schools, and assess these views within the teacher leader perspective in the context of shared leadership that falls into the platform of collective leadership. Thus, in this research it is targeted to find out what the responsibilities of teachers are what kind of a role they play in the context of change and conversion, their views about their position in the school organization and the sufficiency of this position.

2. Methodology

In this study, qualitative data collection design is used in accordance with the purpose of receiving the opinions of teachers regarding the teacher leader responsibilities in the context of shared leadership.
2.1. The Study GroupThe study group of this research consists of 30 teachers from various fields who work in public schools in the 2014-2015 academic year. In the sense of demographic features, the participants are as follows:
2.2. Data Collection MethodIndividual interview is used as the data collection tool. The opinions of teachers are taken by having face-to-face interviews. An interview form is prepared in order to describe the opinions of teachers regarding the teacher leader responsibilities.
2.3. Analysis of the DataAll the recorded interviews are transferred into the written form. Content analysis is utilized in the research in order to resolve the data acquired by the interview and for that purpose NVIVO 10 program is used. The answers given to questions are analyzed by the researcher and the codes that emerge as a result of these analyses are interpreted in the Findings and Discussion part in the context of themes.

3. Findings

The data acquired from the statements of the participants whose opinions regarding the teacher leader roles in the context of shared leadership are asked are analyzed under the following themes: (1) Student learning, (2) career development, (3) organizational change, (4) environmental change and (5) educational policies.
1. Teacher Opinions in the Context of Student Learning

Table 3. The Analysis of Teacher Opinions in the Context of Student Learning

The analysis of the participants’ opinions regarding student learning reveals that the participants show different approaches. However it is expressed that altruist approaches are more frequently adopted which centers the student in ensuring student learning. Apart from that, providing self-discipline and using reward-punishment methods are also factors that are frequently expressed:
“I pay attention to the fact that the technique I will choose definitely coincides with the readiness level of the student and fits the competence and ability of the student. I mostly choose individual-based ways of learning. I think that every student has different kind of intelligence and therefore I try to perform education in accordance with the student’s own interests and skills (P 26)”.
“First of all, the student has to gain acceptance by his/her teacher unconditionally. When the student knows that he/she is liked, he/she has more self-confidence. As a teacher, I think the first thing that should be done as teachers is to like our students and make them feel this. The student exploring knowledge and being active in lectures facilitate learning. Teachers have to assign tasks to students in in-classroom activities (P 14)”.
2. Teacher Opinions in the Context of Career Development

Table 4. The Analysis of Teacher Opinions in the Context of Career Development

The participants whose opinions are taken expressed that they develop a dialogue with their colleagues generally with the intent of transferring experiences and exchanging ideas. Apart from that, they put into words the options of following periodicals and in-service training as well:
“Certainly, participation to meetings like seminars which is to contribute teacher development has to be encouraged in the first place. Teachers will participate if there is encouragement, otherwise there will be limited participation. In these meetings, for example the exchange of ideas even in a county group meeting allows us to make a situation assessment (P 9)”.
“In order to be able to be a qualified teacher, I get information about students’ development and readiness. I also improve myself in the following subjects: ‘which methods and techniques I have to use for which students, and how the development features of students should be considered in the learning-teaching processes’. For these purposes, I constantly make researches and read therefore I renew myself” (P 15).
3. Teacher Opinions in the Context of Organizational Change

Table 5. The Analysis of Teacher Opinions in the Context of Organizational Change

Teachers’ opinions were taken in the participation to decision-making processes, problem solving and conflict management in the context of organizational change, and they expressed that they mostly contribute in terms of ideas. They also stated that they stay out of processes and at that point they are ineffective:
“I can play roles that fall into my job description in solving problems of the school. It is not possible that we take part in administrative issues. I certainly express my ideas in cases like school executives using communication methods while managing the school. I think this is the right thing to do (P 17)”.
“I prefer to remain silent in cases of conflict. I don’t think that I have much effect on decision processes. I try to solve the problems of the school on my own and within my power. As much as I can solve… (P 20).
4. Teacher Opinions in the Context of Environmental Development and Stakeholder Relations

Table 6. The Analysis of Teacher Opinions in the Context of Environmental Development and Stakeholder Relations

The participants whose opinions are taken in the context of contribution to environmental change and communication with stakeholders put forth their opinions at these points: ‘being a role model with their behaviors, creating activity fields like theater, seminars, etc. and collaborating in every respect’.
“The teacher should not be a person who is not only taken as an example by a school but the whole society. He/she should set an example for everybody with his/her behaviors, patience and also with his/her unconditional love for his/her students. He/she should set an example so that the generations he/she raises contribute first to their environment and then to the development of their country as positive youngsters (P 25)”.
“The teacher should increase the collaboration with families for the development of the school and its environment. In this way, we have more contribution to the development of the education of the school apart from its visual development. If I wanted to develop my school, the greatest amount of money I would spend on would be the library and so it would be the most beautiful part of the school. I would try to make a big, perfect library by using all the resources even if the school itself was dilapidated. By doing that, I would produce a project that the students would come and study with pleasure and therefore that would be a project that would not develop the school from outside but from inside. Naturally, the students raised from that school would contribute the development of the school the most (P 6)”.
5. Teacher Opinions in the Context of Education Policies

Table 7. The Analysis of Teacher Opinions in the Context of Education Policies

The participants – whose opinions are received in the context of the roles played in determining the education policies and implementing them – generally stated that they do not have an effect at this point. Apart from that, they presented the view that they play the role of pioneering the contributions and implementations at the intellectual level:
“The teacher has a role in which he/she contributes the development of students, sets an example for them, he/she is a leader, he/she has high level of knowledge in his/her profession, he/she motivates the students and builds the future by knowing the power of his/her profession (P 15)”.
“What kind of a role should the teacher play in the changes that have been taking place in the field of education? In this system at the present time, our role is to pretend to be a teacher. The teacher is not a teacher anymore; he/she is a puppet. I think the teacher has lost his/her old prestige and value. Even a five-year-old kid says ‘he/she is only a teacher’. It is not possible that we play a part in the recent changes because some people build things then bring them down and please themselves. I think the decisions and suggestions of outsiders – who are not in education – cannot improve education; on the contrary they create chaos (P 19)”.
“The teacher should follow and research changes. After he/she comprehends and internalizes the logic of this change, he/she should develop approaches in order to realize the purpose. The implementer of this change is the teacher. However in order for the teacher to be able to internalize these changes, these changes – to a certain extent – should be accordant with the teacher’s logic (P 27)”.

4. Conclusion and Discussion

The data acquired from the opinions of participant teachers are evaluated in the context of five different themes: (1) Student learning, (2) Career development, (3) Organizational change, (4) Environmental change and (5) Education policies. The data acquired from opinions in the context of these themes based on shared leadership are analyzed.
The analysis of the opinions of participants in the context of student learning reveals that the altruist approach that centers students in providing student learning and developing it is expressed more. Apart from that, efforts providing learning through experience, reward-punishment and creating self-discipline are other approaches that are stated in providing student learning. The findings reveal that there is more emphasis on individual efforts. The efforts that are in the direction of developing collaborative methods that ground on doing teamwork with colleagues in the context of student learning were not put into words. Apart from that, ETS [4] presented the view that one of the teacher leader responsibilities in the context of student learning should be in the direction of creating a school culture that supports collaboration. The analysis of the opinions reveals that the efforts for student learning are limited to in-classroom activities.
The analysis of the participants’ opinions in the context of career development reveals that this kind of efforts develop based on following periodicals, reading books, experience sharing and exchange of ideas. These data can be assessed parallel to idea and experience sharing, basic participation and collaboration roles which are the trivets of teacher leadership introduced by Harris and Mujis [5]. Nonetheless, when the approach that is presented based on designing, sharing with others and continuing learning in the context of career development is used as base, it is possible to state that the participants are contented with more daily efforts and they do not develop a strategic approach in professional learning.
The opinions expressed in the sense of career development also coincide with role playing factors of contribution with ideas, problem solving and being constructive that are expressed at the point of contribution to organizational change. The other clearly expressed view in contributing organizational change is the one that can be explained as ‘not contributing organizational change or remaining passive in organizational change processes’, in other words ‘being inactive’. Considering the positive relationship between shared leadership, teamwork and innovativeness in the research made by Hoch [6], this finding can be interpreted as the participants playing a limited role as a teacher leader in being the dynamics of organizational change.
It is possible to observe that the participants – whose opinions are asked in the context of contribution to environmental change and relationships with stakeholders – expressed these factors: setting an example with behaviors, creating fields of activity like theater or exhibition, collaborating in problem solving and including stakeholders to decision-making processes. The criterion of setting an example for the whole school community that Lindahl [10] stated and being a role model with behaviors which is expressed in teacher opinions coincide with each other in the context of teacher leadership. It is possible to observe that the efforts made are limited to individual sacrifice rather than a systematic approach. Therefore it is not possible to indicate that this case exactly meets the criterion that is explained by the argument of providing a systematic contribution to the development of the school and its environment which was presented by ETS [4].
Harris and Mujis [5] presented the teacher leadership roles as being consultants in contributing the curriculum and being experts in generating education policies. Apart from that, Schleicher [15] explained the role of the teacher leader as contributing by increasing the role of the school in developing a culture that will be effective in producing social benefit based on responsibility. In addition, ETS [4] explains the teacher leader as the individual who takes an active part in education policies and at this point contributes the development of the system of education. In the light of these assessments, the roles of the participants are asked and the expressions of the vast majority point that they do not play a role. Apart from that, the expressions become prominent in which they play the roles of watching the process and implementing the results. In this sense, it is possible to state that the participants who express that they do not have an effect on determining education policies based on teacher leadership do not play any part as teacher leaders.
In order for the shared leadership which shines out with its informal participation dimension and the teacher leadership which is the reflection of shared leadership in education to make sense practically, the existence of the following factors is necessary: (1) the existence of a set of values that will support the practice of teacher leadership, (2) a vision that has a guidance role in shaping and implementing education policies and also encourages active participation, (3) a systematic network of communication in which teachers and families play an active role, that includes the other members of the society and that will provide all the stakeholders develop a powerful collaboration, (4) an administration that includes local dynamics to decision processes while stretching the understanding of centralized administration and (5) a transparent structure that ensures the maximum usage of all kinds of resources in actualizing education targets.

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from : http://pubs.sciepub.com/education/3/8/13/

Effect of Adult Leader Participation on Physical Activity in Children

 Tanis J. Hastmann1*, Karla E. Foster2, Richard R. Rosenkranz3, Sara K. Rosenkranz3, David A. Dzewaltowski4


1Department of Physical Education, Exercise Science & Wellness, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, USA; *Corresponding Author: tanis.hastmann@und.edu
2Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
3Department of Human Nutrition, Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA
4Department of Kinesiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA
Received 10 August 2012; revised 15 September 2012; accepted 3 October 2012
Keywords: Accelerometer; Obesity; Exercise; Evidence-Based Research
Background: Participation in physically active games is one way to increase energy expendture in children. However, it is unknown whether adult leader participation (LP) in games can impact children’s physical activity (PA) levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of LP compared to no LP on PA levels among children participating in organized active games. Methods: Children (n = 14) in grades 4 - 6 (Male = 42.8%, White = 50%, Overweight/ Obese = 42.8%) participated in four active games across two consecutive days. Each day, children participated in two 16-minute games and received verbal encouragement from an adult leader. Each game was divided into four-minute intervals alternating between LP or no LP. LP was counter-balanced across two days. Each child wore an Actigraph GT1M accelerometer. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and sedentary behavior (SB) was determined by Freedson’s MET prediction. Data were analyzed using a condition (LP or no LP) by game repeated-measures ANCOVA. Results: Children participated in MVPA 52.3% of game time across all games. There were no differences in MVPA, VPA, and SB by gender, weight status, or ethnicity. LP and no LP conditions were not different for MVPA, VPA, or SB. Conclusions: These results show no effect of LP on PA in children during active games. It may be that LP could not increase PA because the children were already exhibiting high levels of MVPA.
Childhood obesity prevalence has increased dramatically over the past 30 years in the United States. The percentage of overweight 6 to 19 years old children and adolescents has tripled since 1980 [1]. Children who participate in regular physical activity (PA) are less likely to be obese and may be more likely to be physically active as adults [2]. Recent recommendations suggest that youth should accumulate 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous PA per day [3]. Evidence indicates that only 42% of 6 to 12 year olds, and 8% of 12 to 19 year olds, meet recommendations [4]. Thus, a need exists to identify evidence-based strategies that increase children’s PA.
Group PA settings, such as physical education, recess, and out-of-school programs and clubs provide PA opportunities [5]. These settings, according to Social Cognitive Theory [6], are physical and social environments that reciprocally interact with personal factors to determine PA. Several studies have examined the social and physical environment influences on habitual child PA [7,8], and how to increase PA by making changes in the physical environment [9-12]. However, few studies have examined social environmental influences during group PA settings [13].
Adults organizing PA sessions, according to Social Cognitive Theory [6], can provide direct reinforcement and vicarious experiences to increase learning and motivation for health behaviors. A particular focus of this study was the provision of vicarious experiences to increase self-efficacy. Self-efficacy, defined as a child’s confidence in using their skills and capabilities to perform PA at a level to attain a desired outcome, has been associated with PA [14,15]. Increased self-efficacy can be developed vicariously through the process of observing adult and child models performing health behaviors, such as PA. In settings where groups of children engage in active play, one potential strategy to achieve increased self-efficacy is through adult leaders modeling PA during active game-play.
There is some evidence for the hypothesis that adult modeling influences children’s PA [16,17]. For example, Sallis and colleagues (1992) examined the association between parental behavior and their fourth grade child’s PA. Parental participation in PA or playing sports with their child (sons only) was a positive predictor of child PA [18]. This study suggests that parents who participate in PA with their children are more likely to have children who are physically active. Furthermore, the greater parents’ reported social support the more likely their children were to engage in an hour of PA daily [19]. The parental support measure assessed participating in PA with the child, as well as encouraging the child to be active, providing transportation to be active, watching the child engage in PA, and providing verbal encouragement [20]. Although this study suggested that parental support for PA influences their child’s PA, it is not conclusive that parental participation in PA with or without the children was a key variable.
Contrary to these findings, one study did not show an association between adult participation and children’s moderate-to-vigorous PA [21]. This study examined the effects of parent participation on 7 - 8 years old moderate-to-vigorous PA and use of the Dance Dance Revolution video game. Parents were encouraged to participate as well as support their child’s PA and the video game participation for 120 minutes per week for 10 weeks. Results showed that parental encouragement was more frequent than parental participation (5 - 6 days vs. 2 days per week). Parental encouragement and participation were not associated with child participation in moderate-tovigorous PA or Dance Dance Revolution [21].
In addition to parental influences on their children’s PA, adults other than parents may be able to influence children’s PA. Very few studies have examined the relationship between adult participation and child PA in children’s group PA sessions. Donnelly and colleagues (2009) developed the Physical Activity Across the Curriculum (PAAC) randomized controlled trial to increase PA through teacher delivery of physically active academic lessons [22]. Observational results showed that, compared with teachers who were less active during academic PA lessons, teachers who were more active during the academic PA lessons had students who were more active as well. In contrast, another study involving preschool-aged children found that children were more than three times more likely to participate in moderate-to-vigorous PA alone during outdoor play compared to when an adult was participating [23]. This study suggested that preschool-aged children are more active without adult participation in free-play PA, whereas previously discussed studies illustrated that school-age children benefit from adult participation.
Current research has provided inconclusive evidence as to whether or not adults can influence children’s PA by participating in the activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of adult LP compared to no adult leader participation (no LP) among children playing organized active games on their sedentary behavior, moderate-to-vigorous PA, and vigorous PA. Based on Social Cognitive Theory, and previous evidence, we hypothesized that children would be more active with adult participation compared to no adult participation.
2.1. Settings and Participants
Research assistants delivered a one-week summer day camp at a Midwest University community fitness center for three-hours each day. The camp exposed children entering grades four through six (9 - 11 years old) to a variety of active and non-active games, as well as nutriation education activities. Children were recruited during the summer of 2008 through community organizations and public announcements.
All children (n = 16) enrolled in the day camp were eligible to participate in this study, which was conducted during the third and fourth days of the camp. Informed consent was obtained from the parent or guardian along with the written assent of the child. Fourteen of the 16 children participated in the study and were included in the final sample. One child was excluded due to absence and another child was excluded due to age. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the research team’s university.
2.2. Experimental Conditions
Over the two data collection days, children participated in two 16-minute organized, active games with a 10-minute break separating the games. Each game was divided into four-minute intervals alternating between a condition of LP or no LP. The sequence of exposure to LP or no LP was counter-balanced across the two days. During LP, the roles of leaders were to model playing the games by: being active participants; being enthusiastic; making games fun for children; and keeping all children active and involved in the games. Depending on the game, leaders would chase and tag children, throw balls, do jumping jacks or other movements, take scarves, etc. One female and one male leader participated in the games during the LP condition. Both adult leaders were familiar with the game rules and had experience leading physically active games in youth. During no LP, the adult leaders stood outside the playing area and did not participate in game play. Verbal encouragement was controlled in both conditions (LP and no LP), such that every minute, adult leaders encouraged the children to be active following a list of verbal (e.g., good job, keep up the good work, keep going) and physical prompts (e.g., clapping).
Children participated in four organized, active games (adapted from the CATCH program) across two consecutive days. The CATCH physical education objecttives included: involvement of at least 30 minutes of daily PA, involvement in moderate-to-vigorous PA for at least 40% of total PA time, providing children with many opportunities to participate and practice skills, and providing children with a variety of enjoyable activities [24]. On day one, the games chosen were Dragon’s Tail, and Hospital Tag; on day two, games were Everybody’s It Dodge-ball, and Foxes, Trees, and Squirrels. Children were exposed to all four games on the camp days preceding the study to familiarize the children with the rules and expectations for the study. The games were played in a fitness facility on an aerobic class’ hardwood floor. The playing area was marked off with cones, measuring 11 × 10 yards.
Dragon’s Tail: Each child and leader tucked a tail (scarf) into the back of their waistband, illustrating that they were dragons. On “go,” dragons ran/skipped through the playing area attempting to pull the tails of other dragons. When a dragon pulled another dragon’s tail, he/she would say “(Name), I got your tail!” and then place the tail on the ground. When a dragon lost his/her tail, he/she would pick up his/her tail and do the five repetitions of a specified gross motor movement, such as jumping jacks, before returning to the game. Adult leaders selected different gross motor movements (i.e., situps, push-ups, frog jumps, etc.) after several minutes to keep children interested in the game.
Hospital Tag: Within the play space perimeter, there was a designated area for a “hospital”. Each child was “it” and on “go”, all players attempted to tag other players. The first time a player was tagged, he/she put one hand on the tagged spot. The second time tagged, a player placed his/her second hand on the tagged spot. When tagged a third time, the player went to the “hospital” and did specified gross motor movements (selected by adult leaders) before he/she could leave the hospital and re-enter the game.
Everybody’s It Dodgeball: Balls were scattered around the playing area and when the leader said “go”, the children grabbed a ball and threw it at anyone participating in the game. If a child was hit with a ball (below the shoulders), he/she left the playing area, and did specified gross motor movements (selected by adult leaders) before he/she was allowed back in the game. If the child caught a ball thrown at him/her, then whomever threw the ball had to perform the specified gross motor movements (i.e., jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups, etc.).
Foxes, Trees and Squirrels: Three plastic hoops were scattered within the play space area to represent trees. Half of the children were given scarves to tuck into the back of their waistband to represent squirrels, and children without a tail were considered foxes. On “go”, foxes tried to pull the tails off the squirrels. If a fox got a tail, then the fox tucked the scarf in his/her waistband and became a squirrel, and the squirrel became a fox. The trees were safe zones where squirrels were protected from being tagged. Squirrels were allowed in the tree for up to five seconds, counting each second as an acorn (i.e., one acorn, two acorn, etc.).
2.3. Measures
Height and weight were measured in a private location on the first day of camp. Height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a stadiometer (Seca Corp, Model 214 Hamburg, Germany) and weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using an electronic scale (Seca Corp, Model 770, Hamburg, Germany) that was calibrated daily. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from these measurements and children were classified according to the ageand sex-specific CDC growth charts for normal weight (5th to <85th a="" and="" href="http://file.scirp.org/Html/2-1340132_24599.htm#ref25" id="return16" obese="" overweight="" percentile="" target="_self" th="">25
]. Adiposity was directly measured using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and children were categorized as normal weight (<85th a="" according="" adjusted="" age="" and="" body="" curves="" fat="" for="" gender="" href="http://file.scirp.org/Html/2-1340132_24599.htm#ref26" id="return17" obese="" or="" overweight="" percentile="" target="_self" th="" to="">26].Physical activity levels were objectively measured using the Actigraph GT1M accelerometer (Shalimar, FL). The Actigraph GT1M accelerometer has been found to be a valid and reliable measure of PA in youth [27]. Children wore the accelerometer around their waist at the right hip, secured by an adjustable elastic belt, for the total duration (three hours) each day of the camp. Activity counts were collected using 15-second epochs. Sedentary behavior was defined as less than 200 counts per minute [28]. Time spent in light (200 counts to <4 a="" and="" by="" determined="" equation="" freedson="" href="http://file.scirp.org/Html/2-1340132_24599.htm#ref29" id="return20" met="" mets="" moderate-to-vigorous="" moderate="" pa="" prediction="" s="" target="_self" to="" vigorous="" was="">29
]. The cutpoints chosen for the intensity levels are commonly used in children [4,30].Parents completed a brief survey prior to their child’s participation in the camp. The parent survey captured demographic information such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and child PA. Child PA was assessed prior to the week-long camp using the PACE + PA measure [31]. Parental report of child PA has been shown to more accurately assess child PA than child self-report in this age group [32]. Children were categorized as meeting guidelines if they performed moderate-to-vigorous PA five or more days per week for at least 60 minutes.
2.4. Data Analysis
We conducted within-subjects ANCOVAs examining the effect of condition (LP or no LP) on PA and SB, while controlling for the type of game and the order of receiving the counter-balanced condition. Effect sizes (ES) were also calculated to assess the practical significance of the LP in relation to the no LP condition. Effect size was the difference between the two group means, divided by the standard deviation. To aid in interpretation of the results, we report descriptive data as percent time in each activity intensity, during each condition. All data were analyzed using SPSS Version 14.0. All tests were conducted at p < 0.05.
Table 1 describes the demographic and anthropometric characteristics of the participants. Of the 14 participants, six were male (42.9%), seven were white (50%), six were overweight/obese according to DEXA (42.9%), and nine met PA guidelines (64.3%) based on the PACE + PA measure [31].
Children participated in moderate-to-vigorous PA 52.2% (SE = 0.042) of game time across all games, 53.1% (SE = 0.042) during no LP and 51.4% (SE = 0.043) during LP. Percent of time spent in vigorous PA during LP and no LP was 20.8% (SE = 0.032) and 19.6% (SE = 0.032), respectively. Percent of time in sedentary behavior, during LP and no LP was 14.5% (SE = 0.032) and 15.5% (SE = 0.030), respectively. Leader participation and no LP conditions were not significantly different for moderate-to-vigorous PA (p = 0.40, ES = −0.02), vigorous PA (p = 0.53, ES = 0.01), or sedentary behavior (p = 0.59, ES = −0.01). There were also no differences in moderate-to-vigorous PA, vigorous PA and sedentary behavior by gender (p > 0.05), weight status (p > 0.05), or ethnicity (p > 0.05). Means and standard errors for percent time in PA and sedentary behavior are presented in Table 2.
The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of LP or no LP during organized, active games on children’s PA levels. Results showed no effect of LP on PA in children during active games. It may be that LP did not increase PA because the children were already exhibiting high levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA during game play. Children in both LP and no LP participated in moderate-to-vigorous PA for more than 50% of
Table 1. Demographic characteristics (n = 14) for children enrolled in study.
Table 2. Means (SE) of sedentary behavior and physical activity expressed as percent time.
the time during all game-play, exceeding the CATCH recommendations for PA during game-play [24].
Based on the Social Cognitive Theory, we hypothesized that children’s level of PA would be higher during LP compared to the no LP condition due to modeling. However, our results did not support this hypothesis. Most research on the Social Cognitive Theory constructs and children’s PA examines parent or peer social support and modeling of PA on individual children’s habitual PA levels (not during specific organized active games). For example, Prochaska and colleagues (2002) examined children’s self-reported peer and parent PA social support on their habitual PA levels (meeting PA recommendations or not). Results showed that parent and peer support for child PA was associated with increased child self-reported PA, but not for objectively measured child PA. Similar, Trost and colleagues (2003), also reported that parent self-report support for child PA was associated with increased child habitual PA. However, our study was very different, in that we examined a group of children engaged in organized active games with leaders participating during game play.
To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine adult LP and objective child PA in organized active game sessions. As previously mentioned, children in both conditions (LP and no LP) exhibited high levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA during game play. It may be that for games or settings with activity levels less than 40% of the total time, LP could have been effective at increasing children’s moderate-to-vigorous PA levels. For instance, schools have long been regarded as ideal settings for the promotion of PA, as that’s where children spend a majority of their time. However, children are not meeting the CATCH recommendations of engaging in 40% moderate-to-vigorous PA during PA sessions, such as recess [33,34]. Although, LP did not increase children’s moderate-to-vigorous PA or decrease sedentary behavior in our study, future studies could examine the effect of LP on children’s PA during recess or free play in children that do not engage in moderate-to-vigorous PA for at least 40% of the time.
Coleman and colleagues (2008) examined children’s PA levels and leader behavior during organized and free play PA sessions, in the after-school environment. Children’s PA and leader behavior was measured by systematic observation. Overall, children exhibited greater levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA in free play compared to organized PA sessions. However, there was greater encouragement (verbal and physical) during organized PA as compared to free play PA [35]. These data suggests that children are most active during free play, and most free play occurs with no LP. To relate these results to our study, it is possible that adult LP during organized games is common and the continuous verbal encouragement during LP and no LP in our study was enough to maintain high PA levels in the children.
Providing vicarious experiences, such as modeling, to increase motivation is a strategy teachers could use to promote PA. Cullen and colleagues (2001) examined modeling of fruit and vegetable consumption by parents and peers and found that modeling by both parents and peers is correlated with children’s fruit and vegetable intake [36]. Although this study was conducted via survey instruments rather than direct observation of children and peers/parents eating together, it presents an argument that modeling increases healthy behaviors. Similarly, Hendy & Raudenbush (2000) observed three methods to encourage food acceptance by preschool children: silent teacher modeling; enthusiastic teacher modeling; and enthusiastic teacher modeling plus a competing peer model. Results found that a silent teacher model was ineffective in children’s eating of modeled foods; however enthusiastic teacher modeling was successful in children’s new food acceptance [37]. Conversely, when a competing peer was present, the enthusiastic teacher model was no longer successful in children’s new food acceptance. Comparing our results to Hendy & Raudenbush (2000), there are several similarities. Since children were introduced to all four games prior to our study, the “newness” or the excitement of the games may have diminished any potential modeling effect. Perhaps because our adult models were silent other than verbal encouragement every minute, more verbal cues were necessary to increase PA during LP. Or it could be that the peer models were more effective than teacher models in increasing PA during LP since there were not PA differences during LP and no LP.
The verbal encouragement provided under both conditions (LP and No LP) may have negated the effect of LP. Verbal encouragement was used to imitate a typical organized game session such as in a PA class or an organized youth sport, where leaders typically would not remain silent during the entire game play. It is possible that the verbal encouragement provided each minute was sufficient by itself to maintain the activity levels of the children playing the game, thus a ceiling effect occurred and LP (modeling game play and being active participants) was unable to increase the already high levels of PA exhibited. A follow-up study should include the effects of verbal encouragement on PA levels.
4.1. Limitations
There are important limitations to this study. First, the influence of LP on PA may be moderated by factors not examined in this study, such as gender and weight status. Second, two different games were played each day. Therefore, it is unknown whether playing the same two games each day would have similar results. Third, there could have been carryover from previous experiences, whether on the same day, different day, or particularly from the previous four-minute interval that was not taken into account by the counterbalanced design. Maybe intermittent LP was all it took to ensure adequate moderate-to-vigorous PA. Fourth, a small sample size may have limited the testing of interactions; however, all children enrolled in the camp participated in the study. Last, children did not complete questionnaires about their self-efficacy and enjoyment of the games, thus we are unsure if children prefer active games with LP or no LP.
4.2. Strengths
An important strength of this study was that PA was measured objectively using accelerometers. To our knowledge, this is the first study to objectively measure PA in children to assess the impact of LP. In addition, PA was assessed using 15-second epochs, which has been shown to be a more accurate sampling method to distinguish VPA compared to 30-second epochs [38]. Lastly, study design, including counter-balancing LP across two days and the use of evidence-based games are important strengths.
Findings from this study indicate that adult LP does not impact PA in children in this context. Perhaps LP was not able to increase PA due to the children’s strong level of moderate-to-vigorous PA during game play. However, this was only one small study, more studies are necessary to determine whether LP can increase children’s PA. Future studies should examine whether LP can increase the quality and/or quantity of PA in children during other PA contexts, such as free-play and in children in other age groups and weight status categories.
We thank Joey Mims, Sara Corn, and Tyler Wiegert for their assistance with the study. We also thank the parents for allowing their children to participate in the study and the children for their participation.
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