The challenges and needs of professional teacher training

Abstract

The growing understanding on learning processes is calling for transformation from lecture-based to student-centered teaching methods, such as problem-based learning (PBL). However, lack of professional development opportunities and subsequently, inadequate knowledge and skills to implement student-centered methods and PBL lead to low adoption rates of the methods. With focus on PBL, this article scrutinizes the challenges teachers face in their professional development and provides solutions and recommendations to overcome these challenges. These findings can be utilized by training providers and whole educational community to provide quality professional development opportunities to teachers around the world.