John Loughran

Amanda Berry

Kathy Smith

Scientific literacy is generally valued and acknowledged among educators as a desirable student learning outcome. However, what scientific literacy really means in terms of classroom practice and student learning is debatable due to the inherent complexity of the term and varying expectations of what it means for learning outcomes. To date the teacher voice has been noticeably absent from this debate even though the very nature of teacher expertise lies at the heart of the processes which shape students’ scientific literacy. The chapters that comprise this book tap into the expertise of a group of primary teachers from Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC), a primary school that chose to actively engage in teaching for scientific literacy. By analyzing the insights and thinking that emerged as they attempted to unravel some of the pedagogical complexities associated with constructing an understanding of scientific literacy in their own classrooms, these teachers demonstrate the professional knowledge and skill inherent in the expertise of teaching and learning science in a primary classroom. The chapters in this book illustrate the processes and structures that were created at OGLC to provide the conditions that allowed these teachers to explore and build on the range of ideas that informed their approach to teaching for scientific literacy. This book is a compelling example of how a whole school approach to scientific literacy can make a difference for students’ learning of science and offer a concrete example of the development of professional knowledge and practice of teachers.

A Whole School Approach to Science Teaching and Learning

Scientific Literacy Under the Microscope

A pedagogy of teacher education must go well beyond the simple delivery of information about teaching. This book describes and explores the complex nature of teaching and of learning about teaching, illustrating how important teacher educators' professional knowledge is and how that knowledge must influence teacher training practices. The book is divided into two sections. The first considers the crucial distinction between teaching student-teachers and teaching them about teaching, allowing practice to push beyond the technical-rational, or tips-and-tricks approach, to teaching about teaching in a way that brings in the appropriate attitudes, knowledge and skills of teaching itself. Section two highlights the dual nature of student teachers’ learning, arguing that they need to concentrate not only on learning what is being taught but also on the way in which that teaching is conducted.

Understanding Teaching & Learning about Teaching

Developing a Pedagogy of Teacher Education

Tom Russell

Bringing together contributions from internationally known teacher educators, this title focuses on enacting educational and pedagogical values in personal practice and developing the interpersonal relationships that are so essential to quality teaching and learning.

Values, Relationships and Practices

Enacting a Pedagogy of Teacher Education

John Wallace

This book introduces science teachers and academics to new ways of conceptualising research into teacher learning. It provides invaluable insight into the role of science teachers as learners and thinkers of change processes.

New Possibilities for Enhancing Teacher Learning

Leadership and Professional Development in Science Education

Self-study in teacher education is a growing field and a natural progression from the concept of reflective practice for pre-service teachers. This book is designed to introduce teacher educators to the theory and practice of self-study, in order to explore, understand and improve their teaching about teaching. With studies from an international range of contributors, this book illustrates a variety of approaches to self-study. It describes the issues that teacher educators have chosen to study, how they carried out their research and what the learning outcomes were. Throughout, the emphasis is on placing teacher educators' knowledge and practice at the centre of their academic work. This book will be of interest to all teacher educators wishing to improve their knowledge and practice.

Improving Teacher Education Practice Through Self-study

Jeffrey Northfield

This account tracks the return to teaching of John Loughran, a teacher educator and educational researcher. After years of educating student teachers, he went back into the classroom for a year to practice what he himself had been teaching, but was often met with difficult pupil behaviour and unforeseen problems. Split into three sections, this book covers: * a teacher’s perspective on teaching * the students’ perspective on teaching and learning * learning from experience – the implications for teaching and learning. Using Loughran’s extensive teaching experience, this book describes how the classroom situations were played out and lessons to be learned.

Teacher, Researcher, Learner

Opening The Classroom Door

How do expert teachers do it? How do they enhance student learning? How do they manage the dilemmas and tensions inherent in working with 25 different students in every lesson? Internationally respected teacher educator John Loughran argues that teachers’ knowledge of what they do is largely tacit and often misunderstood. In this book, he distils the essence of professional practice for classroom teachers. Drawing on the best research on pedagogy, he outlines the crucial principles of teaching and learning, and shows how they are translated into practice using real classroom examples. He emphasises that teaching procedures need to be part of an integrated approach, so that they are genuinely meaningful and result in learning. Throughout, he shows how teachers can engage their students in ways that create a real ‘need to know’, and a desire to become active learners. What Expert Teachers Do is for teachers who want to become really accomplished practitioners.

Enhancing Professional Knowledge for Classroom Practice

What Expert Teachers Do

Mary Lynn Hamilton

The International Handbooks of Teacher Education cover major issues in the field through chapters that offer detailed literature reviews, designed to help readers to understand the history, issues and research developments across those topics most relevant to the field of teacher education from an international perspective. This volume is divided into two sections: Teacher educators; and, students of teaching. The first examines teacher educators, their role, and the way that role influences the nature of teaching about teaching. In turn, the second explores who students of teaching are, and how that influences the relationship between teaching and learning about teaching.

Volume 2

International Handbook of Teacher Education

The International Handbooks of Teacher Education cover major issues in the field through chapters that offer detailed literature reviews designed to help readers to understand the history, issues and research developments across those topics most relevant to the field of teacher education from an international perspective. This volume is divided into two sections: The organisation and structure of teacher education; and, knowledge and practice of teacher education. The first section explores the complexities of teacher education, including the critical components of preparing teachers for teaching, and various aspects of teaching and teacher education that create tensions and strains. The second examines the knowledge and practice of teacher education, including the critical components of teachers’ professional knowledge, the pedagogy of teacher education, and their interrelationships, and delves into what we know and why it matters in teacher education.

Volume 1

A book for anyone who recognizes that teachers, their teaching practice, knowledge and skill should be a focal point of research efforts. The contributions to this volume are internationally authored by leading academics. A range of innovative research methodologies are represented and explained. The book articulates the special professional skills and knowledge that teachers have and need. It will inspire teachers and researchers alike in understanding the art of teaching.

John Loughran

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