The landscape of teacher education is undergoing significant change in many countries and this is often associated with a move towards greater school involvement in the preparation of teachers. One aspect of teaching expertise that is particularly challenging for primary student-teachers is the development of subject knowledge across a wide range…

The learning team cycle as described in "Becoming a Learning Team: A Guide to a Teacher-Led Cycle of Continuous Improvement" by Stephanie Hirsh and Tracy Crow was created to support teams of teachers working on particular lessons and instructional challenges within classrooms. Even as the day-to-day work of classroom teaching continues,…

Teaching persistence and problem solving must begin with selecting a problem that can be solved mathematically, that allows for multiple methods of solving, and that generally captures the attention and curiosity of the student (Marcus and Fey 2003; NCTM 1991; Van de Walle 2003). This article shows how a STEM three-dimensional (3D) printing…

There is a demand for educational research that addresses questions found in teachers' practice. This line of research can be referred to as practitioner research, and it is motivated by the realisation that teacher professionalism is one of the most influential factors in determining student achievement. One question is whether the primary…

This research examines rural and urban teachers' perceptions of Professional Development (PD) needs. Using a qualitative research design, data were gathered by means of document analysis and semi-structured interviews with 10 rural and 10 urban teachers. The major findings which emerged were, first, the PD needs of rural schools are slightly…

This phenomenological study investigated how six elementary teachers are utilizing digital tools and how they perceive these tools can meet their needs for professional collaboration. The study was designed using the theoretical framework of social constructivism and the belief that knowledge is created through social interactions, meaningful…

With the recent mandates involving students with disabilities, there has been ongoing debate regarding the effectiveness of inclusive programs in today's public schools. Recent research has demonstrated that teacher collaboration is an essential component to the success of inclusive education programs (Hernandez, 2013). There is an abundance of…

This manuscript presents a conceptual heuristic to describe the development of a shared understanding of both collaboration and ambitious mathematics instruction within the context of a school-based improvement initiative. Based on empirical evidence from a two-year study in four elementary schools, we argue that the school community first learned…

Hobbs and Coiro describe a new approach to the professional development of educators, librarians, and media professionals that emphasizes the value of collaborative, interdisciplinary relationships. The authors explore why creative collaboration using digital media texts, tools, and technologies is vital to support the professional development of…

Professional learning is intended to improve teaching, benefit student learning and in the longer term improve achievement of targets in schools. When teachers take responsibility not only for their own learning but also for their colleagues', it can lead to a shift in attitudes towards collaborative learning. This study presents an example of a…

Imagine getting on the tandem bike of co-teaching. You have a lot to decide. Who sits in the front and takes the lead? Who takes the backseat? The fact is, neither classroom teachers nor secondary content-area teachers have proven eager to give up leading their lesson when they have a co-teacher present, whether to support ELLs or students with…

For democratic societies to sustain, it is important to educate young people for active and democratic citizenship. This article examines the long-term yields of temporary civics and citizenship educational policies with respect to student participation at school as a precursor of political participation in adult life. The focus is on the…

This article of linked, short essays reflecting on the experiences of five female scholars across three disciplines--law, social work and political science--draws upon Britzman's (1991) notion of the "dialogic discourse" to explore how these professors' sense of self is constituted through interplay with colleagues and their perceptions…

Groups that come together in whatever fashion--in social networks, via online video conferencing, or around conference tables--share in solutions to problems of practice and therefore feel collectively responsible for the success of all their students. This accountability toward not only a solution but also to improved outcomes is a fundamental…

One goal of faculty development is to improve instructional practice (McKee, Johnson, Ritchie, & Tew, 2013; Ouellett 2010; Sorcinelli, Austin, Eddy, & Beach, 2006). This goal accords with the design of the Associated Colleges of the South Teaching and Learning Workshop, a faculty development workshop begun in 1992 for 16 residential,…