Download or read book Peer-Group Mentoring as a Tool for Professional Development written by Kendra Geeraerts and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Peer-group mentoring (PGM) is a new model of supporting teachers professional development in Finland. This study examined experiences of mentees participating in PGM and also possible differences in experiences of teachers in general and vocational education. Another focus of interest was related to the perceptions of the mentees as a result of PGM in regard to professional, personal and social dimensions of professional development. Quantitative research methods were used. An online survey was completed by 69 teachers in general education and 47 teachers in vocational education (n=116). The results suggested that PGM is an important tool for professional development throughout the entire teaching career. Generally, teachers in vocational education perceived to be supported more in their professional development due to PGM than their colleagues in general education. Nevertheless, significant differences between both teacher groups were rather scarce. A first significant difference was the fact that teachers in vocational education agreed more that participation in PGM had influenced their working methods compared to their colleagues in general education. Another significant difference was that teachers in vocational education were obviously more contacted by their colleagues about their opinions and advice than before taking part in PGM meetings. Therefore it seemed that PGM does not only influence participants in PGM meetings but also the broader school community, especially in vocational education settings. The results also indicated that a division between a professional, personal and social dimension of professional development can be analytically done but in practice it is rather artificial. Professional development can be conceptualized more appropriately by using the following three components: development of skills and knowledge, strengthening professional identity and self-confidence, and development of a work community.