Factors affecting teachers' participation in professional learning activities

This paper describes two studies into teacher workplace learning. The first study aimed at developing a definition of teacher learning at the workplace and at exploring factors that may affect teacher learning at the workplace. Based on a conceptualization of teacher workplace learning as participation in professional learning activities, the second study addressed two research questions to be answered by means of a survey: 1) To what extent do teachers participate in professional learning activities? and 2) What factors affect this participation? Results reveal great discrepancies between theory and practice in opportunities for professional learning at the workplace.