We examined changes in how mathematics coaches facilitated debriefing conversations after learning about a debrief conversational structure we created based on the principles of our content-focused coaching model. We compared participant coaches' first debriefing conversation, which occurred prior to learning about the debrief conversational…

This ethnographic study explores teacher experiences with vocabulary instruction, specifically as it relates to oral language-use and literacy practices. Utilizing an integrated compilation of cognitive, socio-cultural and poststructural theory, this study looks at teacher perspectives in relation to their experiences with language and literacy…

While field experiences and student teaching make up a cornerstone of teacher preparation, what counts as "practice" has typically focused on specific pedagogical approaches, rather than on more holistic frameworks. Thus, there has been a presumed split between learning about specific pedagogical practices and other relational and…

The Teaching for Metacognition project, a hybrid model of PD, integrates the "training model of PD" with sustained support for teachers to integrate knowledge gained from the PD into their classroom practice. This paper is based on the work of the teachers in the project in two-tier communities of practice. It examines the perceptions of…

The principal aim of this study is to consider the competencies of the modern teacher. To understand 21st-century instructional skills, we researched the following issues: students' skills; levels of teachers' professional growth; teachers' pedagogical culture; pedagogical innovations, and 21st-century teaching competencies. [For complete volume,…

Data-driven instructional decision making (or D-DIDM) is a "process by which educators examine [data] in order to identify student strengths and deficiencies" (Mertler, 2007). My view of the process of D-DIDM merges three critical educational practices: classroom-based (or site-based) action research, assessment of student learning, and…

Philosophical inquiry (Lipman, Sharp & Oscanyan, 1980) has the capacity to push boundaries in teaching and learning interactions with students and improve teacher's pedagogical experiences (Scholl, Nichols, Burgh, 2008). This paper focuses on the potential for Philosophy to foster pedagogical transformation. Two groups of primary school…

Within the context of research called "Changing the culture of educational institutions--a way to qualitative changes in preschool education", implemented within a three year period and, because of the needs of this work, this paper reports the results of the research performed in the first year. The work was carried out with emphases on…

This paper focuses on the utilization of reflective teaching and thinking as a tool to engage teachers in the process of observing, examining, analyzing, and evaluating their philosophy of teaching and learning and their effectiveness as teachers. Research has indicated that reflection encourages teachers to assess critically "What am I…

High stakes testing presents a significant problem for the design of effective professional development. The absurdity of asking teachers and administrators to raise test scores constantly encourages teachers to teach to the test without regard for the intellectual development of students. This case study from Texas describes the reflective…

There is a strong international trend for governments to move teacher training away from the universities into the schools. In effect, this is a challenge to the expertise and effectiveness of university-based teacher educators. This paper examines the role of fashions in research in the destruction of teacher educator credibility. Reflective…

Much of the school reform and restructuring literature has focused on the need to improve or totally restructure teaching practice in order to create schools that effectively prepare children for the future. Recent literature on learning in the workplace and teacher learning and change provide some insight into the reasons why many teacher change…

Close analysis of both the explicit and implicit curriculum is necessary to truly understand the kind of work relationships educators develop with their students and what values, epistemologies, and belief systems they are going to appreciate as a result of the collective educational experience. The analysis began with student voices and…

A promising strategy for encouraging reflection among student teachers is the use of dialog journals--logs or records of thoughts responded to by other writers. Electronic mail (e-mail) could be used as a medium for developing an electronic dialog journal that overcomes many of the practical constraints of the usual journal. The use of e-mail as a…

The study described in this report investigated the effects of field-based reflective practice on preservice teachers' sense of self-efficacy. Subjects in the study were 24 senior elementary majors participating in a 4-week field experience. Twelve students were assigned to the experimental school and 12 were assigned to two control schools. Each…