The work of teachers is regularly quizzed and questioned. The responses called for commonly implicate assessment, as this provides answers about learning, which many believe directly translate into answers about teaching. We question teaching differently, beginning with the basic what, how and who questions, while also posing the why question:…

Hong Kong, as a capitalist society, has an achievement-driven education system. Visual arts have become a marginalized learning area, especially in early childhood education. Although 'art and creativity' is one of the six learning domains for early childhood education in the kindergarten curriculum guide in Hong Kong, product-oriented and…

When working to connect homogeneous curricula with heterogeneous groups of pupils, teachers have to sort pupils according to the categories allowed for in the national school system. In this article, we compare German organizational differentiation, where pupils are divided into stable groups, to Norwegian pedagogical differentiation, where…

The study refers to the unfavourable reputation and status of general didactics as well as its decreasing importance in teacher education. This is a result of poor performance achieved in international tests by students. They score low on knowledge and arguments, and empirical studies indicate that didactic models are useless. In view of the above…

Discusses changes in educational research methods over recent decades. Explores changing views of teaching and learning and what the changes mean for assessment and the content and delivery of the curriculum. Concludes that, to be effective, educational research must be relevant to education and perceived as such by educators. (SG)

Explores professionalism, the ideal of service, the professional community, and the epistemology of practice as key dimensions of teacher professionalism. Urges practitioners to consider teaching as an aspiration. Calls for the creation of a community of intellectuals and practitioners in order to develop a basis for practice. (KO)

Defines the concept of pluralistic education and discusses its goals. Interviews a number of teachers to investigate their conceptions of education and their response to the idea of pluralistic education. Reports that teachers share an affinity with certain aspects of pluralistic education but differ in a number of fundamental ways. (DSK)

Aims to demonstrate effects of teaching practice on teachers' perspectives about teaching. Argues that there is often a mismatch between teachers' explicit beliefs about teaching and practices in which they engage. Suggests that teachers should develop an appreciation of how tensions and stresses of practice inform their beliefs about teaching.…

Suggests lessons and ideas about teaching and research that can be drawn from a teacher's experiences in two research projects. Considers developmental and situational dynamics in teaching. Describes how researchers' intentions and expectations frame and focus research findings. Explains how the description of teaching can become an intervention…

Reviews research on teaching and teachers' thinking and practical knowledge. Formulates questions regarding discourse practices, production, and research. Centers on themes of story, voice, and form. Looks at how experienced and novice teachers create meaning. Asks whether the teachers' voice is given expression in research on teacher thinking.…

Utilizes Aristotle's three-way distinctions between theory, practice, and production to describe a balanced model of teacher reasoning. Reviews differing models of teacher reasoning that emphasize the role of contemplation and subject-matter representations. Uses the Aristotelian model to point toward a normative vision of teacher reasoning. (MJP)

Compares two groups of high school social studies teachers to determine how their attitudes and beliefs about instruction inform their practice in promoting higher order thinking among students. Measures teacher performance across 10 dimensions of classroom thoughtfulness based on Fred Newmann's work. Finds an important link between teachers'…

Investigates structural effects of 4 research conditions designed to facilitate reflection about teaching practices among 12 student teachers. Uses colleagues as classroom observers and conversation-participants to help student teachers analyze their teaching effectiveness and content. Employs student teachers' portfolios to promote reflection.…