What the teaching perspectives of cooperating teachers tell us about their advisory practices

This study drew upon the recently developed Teaching Perspectives Inventory (TPI) to compare and contrast the teaching perspectives of cooperating teachers against a range of demographic data specific to cooperating teachers. The outcomes indicate, among other things, that a high percentage of cooperating teachers base their pedagogical relationship with learners upon a Nurturing perspective, that a Social Reform perspective among cooperating teachers is almost non-existent, and that a Transmission perspective is more prominent at the secondary school level than at other school levels. Collectively, the insights from this study provide one of the most comprehensive surveys of a single cohort of cooperating teachers reported in the literature.     

Becoming a teacher of writing: Primary student teachers reviewing their relationship with writing

This article investigates the extent to which Year One B.Ed student teachers arrived at university already possessing self‐confidence as writers. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were used to identify students' self perceptions and confidence as writers and their understanding of processes of written composition. The article argues that to consciously engage student teachers in the writing process and to require them to reflect on that process can lead to their self efficacy as writers. Evidence from this study suggests one's self‐confidence, as a writer, is enhanced by explicitly engaging in self reflection of one's own approaches to writing. The findings have implications for course design of literacy components in teacher education internationally.     

Primary school teachers’ ability to recognise resilience in their students

This study investigated teachers’ knowledge of, and capacity to identify resilience, in 92 primary school children in Far North Queensland. It was found that although teachers’ knowledge of resilience was apparently strong, and they reported a significant level of confidence in their ability to assist children in building resilience, their capacity to identify levels of resilience in their students was lacking. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research.     

教师精神文化:涵义、价值取向与建设策略

教师精神文化是教师文化的内核和灵魂，是教师发展的精神动力，影响和决定教师的精神面貌。在厘清教师精神文化内涵的基础上，进一步探讨教师精神文化的价值取向，并建设具有个体性、合作性、生命性与发展性的教师精神文化。     

Primary teachers as readers

In the context of the continued pressure and politicisation of the teaching of reading in England, the United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA) sought to ascertain patterns in primary teachers' reading, both personally and professionally. The project, undertaken in 11 Local Authorities in England, explored 1200 primary teachers' personal reading habits and preferences, investigated their knowledge of children's literature, and documented their reported use of texts in the classroom through a questionnaire. In addition, it sought to establish the extent of the teachers' involvement with and use of local area/school library services. This paper reports on the findings with reference to the teachers' personal reading, the frequency of this reading and the sources they use to select their reading material. It also considers the teachers' favourite childhood texts and the books they identified as highly significant to them, as well as their perceptions of the importance of literature. Connections are made to the data gathered about their knowledge of children's literature, and how primary teachers decide which literature to work with in the classroom.     

Simplified language materials—Their usage and value to teachers and support staff in mainstream settings

This paper examines the current use of simplified language materials (SLMs) by teachers and support staff across England. Drawing on a survey of Primary and Secondary schools it identifies the degree to which teachers and support staff use and produce SLMs. It explores both the contradictions and similarities between practitioners’ perceptions of the value of SLMs and the existing research base and policy and professional guidance. It focuses, in particular, on the significance of the perception that SLMs increase comprehension and improves access. It highlights the need to further examine SLM production so as to assess their value as an inclusive education tool.     

Primary science and technology: How confident are teachers?

Science and Technology is a new Key Learning Area in NSW Primary Schools. Survey results are used to compare preservice teachers (on entry and in the third year of their degree) with practising teachers, on their confidence in their knowledge about the topics in the syllabus, as well as their confidence to teach these topics. Reasons for stated confidence (or lack of it) are reported together with preservice and practising teachers' views about what needs to be done to improve their confidence. Preservice and practising teachers' opinions of the major sources of their knowledge about the topics in the new syllabus are contrasted. Results are discussed in the light of severalDiscipline Review recommendations. Specializations: primary science teacher education; environmental education; curriculum development.     

Gender and emotions in relationships: a group of teachers recalling their own teachers

This narrative inquiry analyses the memories of a group of female teachers telling about their own teachers. We ask how gender and emotions are intertwined to teacher–student relationships. Gender was present in the stories where the teachers described being a schoolgirl in relationship with a teacher and told about their teachers as women and men. The collective process of recalling evoked the emotions experienced as students, but these emotions were also interpreted in the present context. When recalling, the teachers were reconstructing the past in the light of the present and the future. The article highlights the significance for teachers reflecting on their own educational histories.     

中外专家型教师研究的回溯与前瞻

中外专家型教师研究在主题上高度一致。已有研究剖析了专家型教师的价值、阐释了专家型教师的内涵、分析了专家型教师的特征、探讨了专家型教师的素质、探究了专家型教师的成长,但研究对象缺乏准确界定,研究内容缺乏深层分析,研究范式缺乏多元综合,研究成果缺乏操作策略。显然,专家型教师研究的未来方向应为:重视概念界定、深化理论探讨、加强质量结合、致力操作策略。     

Hidden labor in the mentoring of pre-service teachers: Notes from a mentor teacher advisory council

This article argues that mentoring reflects a form of hidden labor within pre-service teacher education. Using Marx’s concern for the ways in which aspects of an economic system are rendered invisible, the article draws on discussions from an American mentor teacher advisory council to illuminate otherwise marginalized aspects of mentors’ work. Meeting data reveal challenging dynamics of initiative, complications in determining teaching opportunities, and unique positions taken up by mentors during transitions in authority. The authors argue for the creation of “intersection contexts” where the voices of various constituencies in the mentoring of pre-service teachers can be heard.     

Primary teachers and policy innovation in India: Some neglected issues

This paper draws on data from three case study sites in Gujarat State to examine primary teachers' motivation and ability to adapt to major new policy initiatives. It uses the 1986 policy innovation of Operation Blackboard as a medium through which to explore the problems attending widescale and rapid purposive change. As part of the newly defined minimum facilities in primary schools, Operation Blackboard supplied a second teacher to many existing single teacher, single room establishments. Through this programme, policy-makers intended to upgrade the quality of school education and effect a major revision of teaching methods. But, although the policy acknowledged teachers' centrality to educational change, the innovation arising from it failed to prepare teachers to adapt to its demands. Centrally conceived, it allowed neither State-level administrators nor teachers any sense of ownership or participation in decision-making. No allowance for teachers' generally low professional competence, training and motivation was made; and nor was it recognised that differences in socio-economic contexts would affect teachers' capacity to utilise what was provided. The implications of findings made in three very different socio-economic locations within a single District of Gujarat State can be generalised to the State level, and are significant also at a national level for policy-makers seeking to initiate educational innovations in the current circumstances.     

Mentor teachers: Their perceived possibilities and challenges as mentor and teacher

This interview study, including seven case studies of mentor teachers in primary education, explores the possibilities and challenges these mentor teachers perceive when they (sequentially and simultaneously) combine the teacher and mentor roles. Mentor teachers perceive two challenges while simultaneously performing both roles in the same classroom: to transfer (or not) responsibility for the class and pupils to the student teacher and to intervene (or not) in classroom procedures. Mentor teachers felt that being the teacher of the pupils was their primary task, and being a mentor of the student teacher generally was perceived as an aside and additional task.     

Underperforming teachers: the impact on co-workers and their responses

Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability - Research indicates that underperforming teachers have a profound impact on students and on principals who struggle to deal with the...