This paper describes a format developed to confront those things that are taken for granted (TFGs) by inservice teachers of grades 2 through 5 as they struggled with learning to improve the teaching of writing in their school through the use of focused, rule-governed reflection on artifacts of practice. In addition to reflection, the participants…

Discusses developmental stages of teachers' careers and corresponding concerns, focusing on consolidation and renewal. Suggests goals relative to the consolidation and renewal stages and notes the importance of developmentally sensitive supervision, including observation, feedback, collaborative strategies, and reflective journals. Recommends that…

A way to foster intentionally thoughtful teachers in preservice education involves critical reflection upon narratives of experienced teachers and those learning to be teachers. (SK)

Identifies the limits of the traditional view of reflection, asserting that reflection is an artifact and a practice embedded in a larger process (teacher learning) and outlining basic notions of a cultural-historical vision of learning as praxis in which reflection is embedded. The paper also asserts that a new vision of critical, situated…

Describes how two middle schools in Hawaii have used a six-step inquiry-based approach to make dramatic improvements in their learning environments. The steps are: (1) inquiry, clarification, goal-setting; (2) examination of alternatives; (3) development of innovation; (4) consideration and adoption; (5) implementation of innovation; and (6)…

Recollects the author's teaching experiences during the attacks of September 11, 2001. Relives the events that took place in his classroom discussing "White Angel," a short story by Michael Cunningham, in light of the fact that they had no idea what was happening in the area until class was over. Notes that the morning's lesson took on…

Addresses issues related to the application of learner-centered psychological principles (LCPs) in higher education, specifically, the promotion of self-regulated learning and the importance of examining preservice teachers' beliefs regarding students, learning, and teaching, suggesting learner-centered instructional practices in teacher education…

Concludes that, after learning about and analyzing their own teaching, it is possible for educators to make changes in their teaching styles. Focuses on a physics professor. (Contains 31 references.) (DDR)

Considers how the process of efoliation, the peeling back of layers of learning and presenting it in an organized electronic format, holds tremendous promise. Believes that developing an electronic teaching portfolio can be an experience that supports and encourages the developing preservice teacher--an experience that combines reflection and…

Self-study research is a mode of scholarly inquiry in which teachers examine their beliefs and actions as educators and explore pedagogical questions. A three-phase model of collaborative self-study research is offered as a framework for university faculty to engage in self-study for the purpose of improving teaching and creating new knowledge.…

Argues that a portfolio process that encourages teachers in training to practice strategies that result in thoughtfulness will help them avoid entrenchment, and can facilitate and demonstrate professional growth. Describes how to organize and use such portfolios, showing how they contain evidence of thoughtful teaching and learning and make…

Explains the benefits of using "robust reasoning" to discover what works in English-as-a-Foreign-Language classrooms. (Author/VWL)

Revisits the author's efforts to deliberately craft words that surfaced in conversations with others. Reflects on the writing of "What Difference Does Difference Make," which won the author the Emig Award. Emphasizes two qualities of pedagogical storytelling that are critically important when that talk is about "difference."…

Examines the possibility that experiences as qualitative researchers can lead prospective teachers to examine the myths of teaching, theorize critically about their teaching experience, and construct new insights regarding teaching and themselves. Suggests that the process of qualitative research can be a metaphor for the process of qualitative…

Presents a teacher knowledge approach to school portfolio development that was used with teachers on five campuses involved in a major national reform movement. The narrative method shows how teacher knowledge is made public and shared through school portfolio making. Particular emphasis is placed on the connections between and among reflection…