Impact of online professional development on Hong Kong kindergarten teachers' confidence: An experimental study

Music and movement (M&M) activities are an essential component of early childhood education (ECE). However, previous studies have shown that kindergarten teachers have low confidence in their knowledge and skills to teach M&M. This experimental study examined the impact of an online professional development (PD) course on Hong Kong kindergarten teachers' confidence in teaching M&M. Pre- and post-questionnaires were administered to 171 participants (experimental equivalent 84, control equivalent 87). Data were analysed using independent sample t-tests and ANOVAs. We found that teachers with higher M&M background (i.e., prior formal and informal training) had higher confidence in teaching M&M before taking the online PD course. Teachers' confidence showed a significant increase in the experimental group after taking the course. Gains in confidence among experimental teachers were independent of their M&M background. We conclude that high-quality online PD has the potential to boost kindergarten teachers' confidence in teaching M&M. Copyright © 2024 Australian Society for Music Education.