The Professional Development of Teacher Educators


Book Description

This book makes a significant contribution to a hitherto much neglected area. The book brings together a wide range of papers on a scale rarely seen with a geographic spread that enhances our understanding of the complex journey undertaken by those who aspire to become teachers of teachers. The authors, from more than ten countries, use a variety of approaches including narrative/life history, self-study and empirical research to demonstrate the complexity of the transformative search by individuals to establish their professional identity as teacher educators. The book offers fundamental and thoughtful critiques of current policy, practice and examples of established structures specifically supporting the professional development of teacher educators that may well have a wider applicability. Many of the authors are active and leading persons in the international fields of teacher education and of professional development. The book considers: novice teacher educators, issues of transition; identity development including research identity; the facilitation and mentoring of teacher educators; self-study research including collaborative writing, use of stories; professional development within the context of curriculum and structural reform. Becoming a teacher is recognised as a transformative search by individuals for their teaching identities. Becoming a teacher educator often involves a more complex and longer journey but, according to the many travel stories told here, one that can be a deeply satisfying experience. This book was published as a special issue of Professional Development in Education.




Reconstructing the Work of Teacher Educators


Book Description

This book examines agentic approaches by which teacher educators navigate a highly regulated environment. It investigates how teacher educators are responding to such regulation by employing approaches such as exploratory and case study research designs. This book analyzes qualitative and quantitative data to understand the diverse, innovative and critical perspectives of teacher educators who are guided by state and federal level initiatives to enhance the quality Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs. Prominent educational theoretical perspectives are also used in this book to inform data analysis and to illuminate the empirically based findings. This book showcases research-informed insights for the global education community from leading researchers from across a number of teacher education institutions, locally and otherwise. By adopting an ‘activist’ approach, this book positions teacher educators’ research and contribution to the field as agentive and pro-active.




Restructuring Education Through Technology


Book Description

This paper examines the role of technology in restructuring education by analyzing how it influences seven important relationships in the educative process: (1) teacher-student relationships; (2) student-content relationships; (3) teacher-content relationships; (4) student-context relationships; (5) teacher-context relationships; (6) content-context relationships; and (7) educational system-environment relationships. After a brief historical overview of the uses of technology in education, the paper discusses the nature of systems in education and examines the process of restructuring through systems change in the seven pairs of relationships as they exist today and as they might change in a restructured educational system. How educational technology can empower teachers and students is then discussed with emphasis on how electronic technology is transforming the way information is communicated and processed. A brief discussion of the role of the teacher in evaluating the worth of content--i.e., selecting the best of culture for sharing with students--concludes the report. (ALF)




Educational Reconstruction


Book Description

Tracing the first two decades of state-funded African American schools, Educational Reconstruction addresses the ways in which black Richmonders, black Mobilians, and their white allies created, developed, and sustained a system of African American schools following the Civil War. Hilary Green proposes a new chronology in understanding postwar African American education, examining how urban African Americans demanded quality public schools from their new city and state partners. Revealing the significant gains made after the departure of the Freedmen’s Bureau, this study reevaluates African American higher education in terms of developing a cadre of public school educator-activists and highlights the centrality of urban African American protest in shaping educational decisions and policies in their respective cities and states.




Becoming a Teacher Educator


Book Description

Becoming a Teacher Educator is an impressive book for teacher educators who want to be informed about the latest views and practices of their profession. It is the first book that addresses a range of topics related to the work of teacher educators, the induction of teacher educators and their further professional development. Becoming a Teacher Educator has a practical focus and it provides theoretical insights, experiences of experts and practical recommendations. The book is rooted in the Association of Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE) and many of the chapters are written by authors who are active members of the ATEE. Researchers and practitioners from different parts of Europe, and beyond, joined their efforts to write a book that is truly international and combines research, practice and reflection. Becoming a Teacher Educator is essential reading for novice teacher educators as well as for experienced teacher educators who want to keep up with the latest insights in their profession. This book provides a guide for those who supervise novice and experienced teacher educators and for various professionals who are responsible for the professional development of teacher educators. "There is a growing need for evidence-based resources made available to (future) teacher educators. Since a learning society requires new sets of competencies of the main actors, we are most in want of knowledgeable teacher educators that support the professional development of their (student) teachers. This book fits the actual demands." (Dr. Joost Lowyck, Professor Emeritus, former director of the Teacher Education Institute, Leuven University). "This is an original book in a very important area. The editors define the concept of ‘teacher educator’ widely and I think, therefore, that the book is relevant for schools, higher education, and education authorities of all kinds. The authorship and theme have wide relevance across Europe, Australasia and North America." (Prof. Bob Moon, Professor in Education Teaching Studies, Department of Education, Open University, UK). "The book highlights that, while the current global focus is very much on the need to educate "sufficient and highly qualified teachers", little political focus is given to those who "teach the teachers". What makes this book distinctive for all engaged in teacher education, whether experienced or novice, is that it allows the spotlight on those who teach the teachers and the opportunity for teacher educators to discuss, debate and seriously examine themselves as a profession." (Simone White, Deakin University, Australia)




Cultivating Teacher Resilience


Book Description

This open access book follows the development of the Building Resilience in Teacher Education (BRiTE) project across Australia and internationally. Drawing on the success of this project and the related research collaborations that have since emerged, it highlights the importance of cultivating resilience at various stages of teachers’ careers. Divided into three sections, the book includes conceptual, empirical and applied chapters, designed to introduce readers to the field of research, provide empirical evidence and showcase innovative applications. The respective chapters illustrate the ways in which teacher resilience can be enhanced in a variety of contexts, and address specific learning activities, case studies, resources and strategies, student feedback and applied outcomes. They also consider future directions including cross-cultural applications and the use of technologies such as augmented reality. The book will appeal to researchers, teacher educators and teachers, as well as those interested in supporting the cultivation and ongoing development of professional resilience for pre-service and practicing teachers.




Intercultural Competence in the Work of Teachers


Book Description

This book critiques models of intercultural competence, whilst suggesting examples of specific alternative approaches that will successfully foster intercultural competence in teacher education. Bringing together diverse perspectives from teacher educators and student teachers, this volume discusses the need to move beyond essentialism, culturalism and assumptions about an us versus them perspective and recognises that multiple identities of an individual are negotiated in interaction with others. Intercultural Competence in the Work of Teachers is divided into four sections: critiquing intercultural competence in teacher education; exploring critical intercultural competences in teacher education; reflexivity and intercultural competence in teacher education; and indigeneity and intercultural competence in teacher education, providing a methodological approach through which to explore this critical framework further. This book is ideal for teacher educators or academics of education specialising in global education who are looking to explore alternative perspectives towards intercultural competence and wish to gain an insight into the ways it can be utilised in a more effective and productive manner.




Reconstructing the Work of Teacher Educators


Book Description

This book examines agentic approaches by which teacher educators navigate a highly regulated environment. It investigates how teacher educators are responding to such regulation by employing approaches such as exploratory and case study research designs. This book analyzes qualitative and quantitative data to understand the diverse, innovative and critical perspectives of teacher educators who are guided by state and federal level initiatives to enhance the quality Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs. Prominent educational theoretical perspectives are also used in this book to inform data analysis and to illuminate the empirically based findings. This book showcases research-informed insights for the global education community from leading researchers from across a number of teacher education institutions, locally and otherwise. By adopting an 'activist' approach, this book positions teacher educators' research and contribution to the field as agentive and pro-active.




Reconstructing Teaching


Book Description

One of the greatest resources a school has is its staff. How teachers themselves, and their work, are defined are therefore matters of utmost importance. Major trends of increased control and 'new mangerialism' are occurring in most OECD countries, radically altering both the content and form of teacher education. This book outlines recent changes in teacher education and professional development and, by drawing on recent research findings, explores the positive and negative impacts on the nature of teaching and the shape of the profession.




Becoming a History Teacher


Book Description

Becoming a History Teacher is a collection of thoughtful essays by history teachers, historians, and teacher educators on how to prepare student teachers to think historically and to teach historical thinking.