A Survey of Teachers’ Thoughts on Continuing Education

Abstract

This study delves into what teachers think about their own continuing education. Different points of analysis are identified with respect to seniority in the profession, methodological interests, interest in updating know-how, interest in incorporating new knowledge and, finally, the place training occupies in the teacher’s subjective thinking.

At the onset of teaching, continuing education works and is conceived as a way to stay active while entering the job market. In contrast, for teachers who already have a history in the profession, it is viewed as an escape from work or a recourse that occasionally gives meaning to work, thus assuming an important subjective place in the teacher’s vocation. Yet, regardless of the motivation, the acquisition of new knowledge is the most enduring reason teachers draw on to further their training.