Despite long-standing commitment to the notion of critical reflection across the healthcare professions it is unusual for critical theory and practice to be taught as explicit subjects in healthcare higher education. There is evidence to show that reflective techniques such as critical portfolios and reflective diaries can help students to…

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to identify the principles and characteristics of a learning conference which uses action learning and action research (ALAR) processes to create: optimal learning for all participants through a collaborative, inclusive conference culture; further knowledge creation in publishing conference papers post-conference…

This study examines teachers' attitudes toward pedagogical changes regarding various teaching strategies concerning students, content, and the teacher's educational orientation. Teachers' attitudes toward such changes are examined at different stages of their professional development. The research question is: To what extent do teachers at…

This paper presents findings from a survey of pre-service teacher training institutions in England with regard to the provision of health and well-being education. It examines factors affecting the inclusion of health and well-being, and explores educational implications in light of the changing landscape of pre-service teacher education in…

This study examines principals' experiences implementing Skillful Observation and Coaching Laboratory (SOCL), a program designed to help principals become effective instructional leaders. Guided by Karl Weick's notion of sensemaking, this study sought to identify the components of SOCL that were implemented with fidelity and discover the factors…

This evaluation study provides information about the implementation and outcomes of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program in West Virginia, from September 2014 through May 2015. The report draws on information from online surveys of 23 directors of 21st CCLC programs and from school teachers for 929 of the 11,299…

This article introduces the process of inquiry-oriented mentoring as an appropriate tool for developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of mentors who work with prospective teachers within the professional development school. The process shows promise as a tool for capturing the knowledge of what constitutes powerful mentoring practices, by…

Students cannot benefit from education practices they do not experience. While this seems obvious (and it is), education systems have yet to develop the capacity to help all teachers learn to make good use of evidence-based practices that enhance the quality of education for all students. The purpose of this "Brief" is to provide a framework that…

For many educators, professional development brings to mind workshops, night courses at a college of education, or perhaps meeting with colleagues for lesson study. This article discusses teacher externships which offer a very different kind of professional development experience, one that is often transformative for educators and their students.…

Eleanor Chelimsky is an independent consultant for evaluation policy and practice and currently serves on the American Evaluation Association's (AEA) Evaluation Policy Task Force. This article talks about the professional development of Eleanor Chelimsky. This article presents an edited transcript of an interview wherein Eleanor highlights why she…

For 40 years, elementary and middle level schools in West Hartford, Connecticut, have dismissed students early on Wednesday afternoons so that teachers can spend two hours a week engaged in learning. Last fall and winter, the district interviewed high school teachers about what they would like to see happen in professional development. Under the…

Staff development's brand is tarnished. Many of its consumers are not satisfied. Some are angry. Others are resigned to accepting professional development as it is because they lack the will or power or knowledge to change it. Educators respond in these ways because their staff development experiences are often shallow and do little to help them…

In 2010, a comprehensive secondary school in the south of England implemented a whole-school approach to "learning to learn" (L2L). Drawing on a range of evidence-based practices, a team of teachers worked collaboratively to design and deliver a taught L2L curriculum to all students throughout Key Stage 3. In total, the first cohort of…

Preparing school administrators to promote effective instruction of English language learners (ELLs) is an important dimension of today's educational leadership programs, requiring innovative program activities. This study explores school leadership candidates' use of an observation tool targeted to ELL instruction that incorporated guided video…

A number of reports in the US have highlighted the country's need for improved second language skills for both national security and economic competitiveness. The Language Flagship program, launched in 2002, aims to raise expectations regarding language proficiency levels at the post-secondary level and to address structural gaps in the curricula…