Peter Grootenboer

Christine Edwards-Groves

Sarojni Choy

This book examines the way in which the “practice turn” in education and pedagogy offers unique perspectives on the nature of educational work. Through a plurality of “practice theories” deeper understandings emerge about a range of education and concepts, providing useful tools for advancing and developing practice theory in education and pedagogy. The book discusses the related and dual perspectives of pedagogy as both a teaching and an upbringing practice. It also explores education in a range of contexts and sectors beyond school, including VET, tertiary and non-formal settings. Education is seen as serving a dual purpose – the development of individuals and the betterment of societies and community, and this conceptualisation of education underpins the book. It acknowledges that there are diverse understandings and perspectives of practice theory, pedagogy and education, each of which is contestable and ripe for further development, and this is examined throughout the book. This book was developed alongside an invited symposium held in June 2015 in Brisbane, Australia where the authors and interested others gathered to discuss practice theory perspectives on pedagogy and education. The title – Practice Theory Perspectives on Pedagogy and Education – captures the central overarching focus that underpins the book.

Praxis, Diversity and Contestation

Practice Theory Perspectives on Pedagogy and Education

Stephen Kemmis

Jane Wilkinson

Ian Hardy

Laurette Bristol

This book aims to help teachers and those who support them to re-imagine the work of teaching, learning and leading. In particular, it shows how transformations of educational practice depend on complementary transformations in classroom-school- and system-level organisational cultures, resourcing and politics. It argues that transforming education requires more than professional development to transform teachers; it also calls for fundamental changes in learning and leading practices, which in turn means reshaping organisations that support teachers and teaching – organisational cultures, the resources organisations provide and distribute, and the relationships that connect people with one another in organisations. The book is based on findings from new research being conducted by the authors – the research team for the (2010-2012) Australian Research Council-funded Discovery Project Leading and Learning: Developing Ecologies of Educational Practice.

Changing Practices, Changing Education

Karin Rönnerman

Middle leading refers to those teachers that both teach and have leadership roles, and thus can bridge the gap between the practices of learning and the managemant of schooling. Focusing on the practices of middle leaders, this book addresses the current lack of support and professional development for middle leaders in educational settings. Middle Leadership in Schools positions middle leaders as professional leaders, and an integral part of educational and professional development in schools and other educational institutions. Drawing on empirical research spanning four countries, this book provides readers with a conceptual framework to understand middle leading and shows how middle leading practices unfold in real educational contexts. This is a valuable resource that goes beyond a theoretical conversation about middle leaders to provide readers with practical applications based on extensive research undertaken by the authors. The book is divided into seven chapters, each of which include reflective discussion questions and recommended readings to promote collaborative engagement with the text. Chapters cover topics such as how middle leading is shaped in practice, its role in professional development and its impact on schools. Illustrating to middle leaders how they can develop their leadership skills, the book will also be of interest to school principals and other senior leaders as a guide to supporting their middle leaders.

A Practical Guide for Leading Learning

Middle Leadership in Schools

Peter Grootenboer

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