This exploratory study investigated the experiences of teachers who participated in a collaborative inquiry project. This was designed to gain insights into the learning dispositions (skill, inclination and sensitivity) participants reported when undertaking this form of professional learning. The specific inquiry initiative utilised Design-based…

Lesson study has been implemented in schools around the world as a method of professional development for teachers. Lesson study consists of five steps, among which the "Research Lesson" and "Post-lesson Discussion" are central. During the Post-lesson Discussion, after the teacher has commented on the lesson, all of the…

In this paper we review the professional learning and development (PLD) needs of teachers in rural and remote schools, focusing on the Australian context. We argue that online PLD is an emerging alternative to face-to-face arrangements for the continuing education of teachers, which can connect to rural contexts through attending to considerations…

This study investigated whether collaboration between science teachers and ELD teachers would result in changes to teachers' perceptions about their role and responsibility to support English Learners in their science classes and whether professional learning opportunities provided would result in planned implementation of strategies and practices…

This paper documents the first year of a qualitative case study investigating the experiences of reciprocal learning teams of teachers within a small, rural secondary school. The purpose of this study was to examine how teachers experienced collaborative professional development (PD) and how their experiences contributed to developing the culture…

Collaboration is an essential component of optimal educational planning. In order to collaborate effectively, it is important that information from all of those involved with the learner is used to develop a multi-dimensional understanding of the child/youth. Yet the identification, sharing and collating of this key information can be a difficult…

The imperative that all students, including English learners (ELs), achieve high academic standards and have opportunities to participate in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning has become even more urgent and complex given shifts in science and mathematics standards. As a group, these students are underrepresented in…

Numerous researchers have investigated distance education in postsecondary settings, but there is a paucity of research regarding the design and delivery of online professional development for K-12 educators. The goal of this mixed methods sequential exploratory study was to examine attitudes of middle grades educators toward an online…

Teacher professional development is essential to education reform. In this study, professional development was viewed as a method for increasing teachers' social capital - the resources that they can access through peer collaboration to support their ongoing learning. This study compared the social capital generated during two different types of…

Research reveals that many teachers express a discomfort about teaching writing; moreover, there is growing evidence that professional learning communities can have a positive impact on teacher learning and performance. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the relationship between teachers' involvement in a professional…

This study was based on the need for additional research to explore the nature of collaborative teaching experiences in the K-12 education setting. For that reason, this study was designed to examine the experiences and perceptions of special education and regular education teachers with respect to inclusion and the perceptions of these teachers…

Teachers hold the key to school reform. Professional learning communities--as well as other related strategies, including collaborative and distributive models of leadership--offer much that is promising. Yet, weaknesses documented in research require attention. We conducted a study of teachers in two elementary schools identified as exemplary…

In recent years, principals have had to act as referees for a new type of match between teachers and technology staff members, affectionately known as the "techies." This time the match is for the control of the technology-integrated classroom. Creating technology-integrated classrooms often puts the interests of teachers in opposition to the…

SUCCEED (Southeastern University and College Coalition for Engineering Education) is an eight-campus coalition of engineering schools formed in 1992 under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation. In 1997, a faculty survey of instructional practices and attitudes regarding the climate for teaching on the Coalition campuses was designed…