Amplifying the Impact of Extension Programs: Empowering Teachers in the Development of Research-Based Instructional Materials

Abstract

The training of teachers plays a crucial role in ensuring the provision of quality education. This study aimed to assess the impact of training quality on teachers' capabilities in developing research-based instructional materials (RB-IMD). Specifically, it examined the relationship between the content, nature, and scope of the training attended, as well as the design of learning and assessment within the training, and teachers' proficiency in RB-IMD. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating qualitative and quantitative methods, to analyze the capabilities of 115 participants in RB-IMD. The findings revealed that the majority of the attended trainings focused on instructional materials and were conducted locally at the participants' school, district, or College of Education. The quality of the training, including its content, nature, and scope, as well as the design of learning and assessment, exhibited a significant positive correlation with teachers' proficiency in RB-IMD. Furthermore, the teachers' capabilities in RB-IMD, including needs analysis, development process, research production fund sourcing, collaboration with users and other experts, research dissemination, and research utilization, showed a significant positive correlation with the quality of training attended across different scopes. These results indicate that the extension program plays a significant role in enhancing teachers' research-based capabilities in developing instructional materials.