Investigating the professional development of Qur'an course instructors

The aim of this study is to determine the participation levels of Qur'an course instructors in professional development activities and to examine the relationship between their participation in these activities and certain predetermined demographic variables. The study employs a quantitative research method using a survey design. The sample consists of 285 Qur'an course instructors working in the provinces of Malatya and İzmir. The data were collected using the "Professional Development Activities Scale," which was adapted to Turkish culture by Eroğlu and Özbek. The collected data were analyzed using percentage and frequency analysis. An independent samples t-test was conducted to determine whether there were significant differences between the means of two related samples, and a one-way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA) was used for variables with more than two subcategories. The results of the study revealed that the instructors' participation in updating and collaboration activities was below the average level, while their participation in reflection and sharing activities was at a moderate level. The study also examined whether there were significant relationships between these four areas of professional development activities and variables such as gender, age, educational level, marital status, the province in which they work, their field of service, and professional seniority. A significant difference was found in the analysis of updating activities among instructors working in different service types, specifically between those working in the memorization (ḥifẓ) field and those working in the 4–6 age group and need-based programs. Regarding participation in reflection activities, a significant difference was observed between instructors with 11–15 years of professional experience and those with 16 years or more. For collaboration activities, significant differences were found based on the province of service and the type of service provided.