In 2014 the "International Journal for Academic Development (IJAD)" issued a call for papers for 'Beyond learning and teaching: Extending the frontiers of academic development'. Though it was never published, the conceptual and definitional opacity that this special issue was expected to address, along with prevalent epistemic…

We contend that the notion of critical friend is a legitimate consideration with respect to considering how to most effectively encourage professional relationships that support and enhance professional learning and development (PLD). This paper will firstly consider an overarching framework of professional relationships and define…

This essay uses the concept of the white imaginary to reflect on Critical Whiteness Studies (CWS) in education. It examines the field's value but also its limitations, specifically its preoccupation with converting white people as the solution to systemic racism. The conversion approach ignores the fuller structural nature of whiteness and often…

This paper outlines the logistics and discusses the benefits of the Professional Development School (PDS) partnership between Sandhills Middle School (SMS) in Lexington School District Four and the University of South Carolina (USC). Through this partnership as well as the University of South Carolina's Center for Excellence, teachers at Sandhills…

Critical 'self' (i.e. dualist or egoist I) reflection seems insufficient in the context of Nepali university education, particularly in the process of transformative professional development. Therefore through this paper, I argue that a "critical-appreciative approach contributes to my professional development." Assuming 'Self' (i.e.…

The purpose of the current paper was to trace the practical contribution of empirical papers appeared in the field's major journals. More specifically, the review posed two questions: (1) what kinds of practical messages are provided in the field's empirical works? (2) Who are the practitioners that EA field researchers address in their practical…

The article deals with the trends in the development of professional-pedagogical competency of university teachers in the Higher Education Area of the EU. It is emphasized that the creation of a global international educational environment requires a holistic technological strategy, whose primary tasks include analyzing the international…

Studies relating to reflection and reflective practice in learning, specifically workplace learning, have gradually emerged from within the professional education literature. Evidence has seen a shift from an individualistic to a more collective approach to reflection, in an attempt to move away from viewing learning as an individual action.…

Since the 1990s, there have been repeated calls for the systematic use of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to inform educational decision-making. The advent of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) -- described as England's What Works Centre for Education -- in 2011 has made this a reality in England: by 2020, over a third of English schools…

This article addresses my professional development as a teacher and political scientist throughout the span of a 15-year career in political science. Also included are reflections on graduate education and the compatibility and necessary dual focus on both political science and teaching in the academy today as it relates to my present-day…

Principals play a vital role in determining school culture. This culture sets the context within which staff and students work; therefore, it is important that school leaders strive to create a positive culture. This paper examines collaboration, development of staff, provision of resources, transparency of vision, management of workplace stress,…

The need for in-service education of teachers cannot be underestimated. It is a necessity in enhancing work performance and motivation of teachers in the field. Absence of in-service training of teachers will retard professional growth of teachers as well as "missing gaps" between demands and actual achievement levels. Inservice…

Policy changes to school governance have led to Governing Bodies (GBs) increasingly appointing skilled professionals from the business community. Research into these GBs views governors from business as a threat to lay governors and the stakeholder model. Whilst there has been exploration of the contributions of business governors, the ways in…

As classrooms become increasingly more diverse in terms of culture, linguistics, and student need, teacher education programs must evolve to develop teachers who are not only specialized in their field or content, but who are effective collaborators with colleagues and families. However, it is not enough for teacher candidates to have knowledge of…

This article chronicles the work of the California State University Digital Ambassador Program (DA), a Faculty Learning Community (FLC), which brought together 13 faculty members across the state to create ongoing, targeted spaces of support for colleagues and educational partners to learn about innovative technological and pedagogical practices…