Abstract:
To develop a whole language instructional enhancement program for preschool teachers by using reflective documentation method. The program consisted of four phases, namely, preparation, construction, field testing, and revision. The case study was a learning community of 17 preschool teachers in two schools under the Office of the Private Education Commission, Bangkok Metropolis and the Office of the National Primary Education Commission, Bangkok Metropolis. Whole Language Instruction Implementation Profile for Preschool Teachers was used to assess the teacher performance. Teacher and administrator interviews were used to assess program satisfaction. The findings of the study were as follows: 1) after the program, the teachers' instructional performance reflecting whole language principles were no less than level 3 in all aspects 2) after the program, the teachers' instructional performance reflecting whole language principles were improved by at least one level in 16 out of 20 aspects 3) all teachers and administrators viewed the program as most satisfactory. The program consisted of concepts, principles, goal, content, implementation procedure, and evaluation. Whole language instructional improvement proceeded from phase 1 : preparation phase 2 : initial operation phase 3 : developmet phase 4 : conclusion. The teacher learning process started from sharing prior teaching experience, documentation, reflection, and re-constructed actions. Time requirement of program implementation was no less than 24 weeks. The prominent features of the program were teacher construction and re-construction of the body of knowledge and collaboration in learning community.