1. An Ecological Complexity Perspective On The Challenges In Lifelong Learning Of Teachers In Malaysia: A Case Study of an online learning environment within an ICT professional development programme. Wagheeh Shukry Hassan (PhD) English Language Teaching Centre Ministry of Education Malaysia

2. Background Unique – 1 st cluster PD in Malaysia, in-school facilitation – adapted from NZ ICTPD Cluster programme Malaysian ICTPD (MICTPD) implementation the promotion of ICT integration; the fostering of reflective practice; and supported by an online community of practice (COP)

3. Research explored the adoption of ICT in teaching & learning and the adoption of the key features of the ICTPD identified the factors that supported and hindered adoption constructed a theoretical framework, i.e., the ecological-complexity perspective as an alternative view described the interaction of factors, individuals and organisations in adoption and the emergence of adoption

4. Ecological Complexity Perspective Interdisciplinary perspective Complexity theories/thinking (pre and post 2000) Ecological theories (biological sciences) Adoption theories (ICT)

5. Why? Linear vs. complexity Dualities Extend research from mechanistic/Newtonian perspective to organic/Darwinian perspective Find new ways of understanding how individuals, organisations and policy interact to influence adoption

6. Ecological concepts

7. Data Used a collective case study approach (Stake, 2003 & 2005) – rural, urban, primary & secondary. 44 teachers (main unit of analysis), 4 school heads and one state education officer. Four schools participated in ICTPD Cluster. Qualitative - used different methods, i.e., semi- structured interviews, mind maps, factor sheets, observations and journals Transcribed, used Nvivo to process and analyse data

9. Implications In Malaysia, cultural and contextual factors influence adoption (e.g., examination & curriculum) – assumptions dealt with – ‘foreign’ innovations the online system did not change teachers' attitudes in sharing and collaboration, and did not facilitate the development of communities of practice

10. Challenges Development of ecological-complexity perspective (ECP) models – journey from linear to complexity – many iterations Applying the ECP into practice – policy (e.g., bottom-up and top-down policy), leadership and ICTPD design – requirement of MOE Cultural factors – recognising, highlighting and incorporating factors Slide 12

11. Conclusions Ecological-complexity perspective extends understanding of ICTPD adoption - non-linear, interactions & factors (in this context) Understanding of dualities in complexity - not an either or explanation Emergence as a way to find insights

12. Thank you e: wshukry@eltc.edu.mywshukry@eltc.edu.my