The Life and Work of Teachers: International Perspectives in Changing Times by C

Publisher Description

Bringing together the work of researchers from across the world, this collection links policy, school leadership and teachers lives, the three factors that are arguably the most influential in creating quality learning opportunities for students. Each chapter provides a series of contemporary insights and represents a range of original empirical and conceptual research which focuses upon the ideological, social and educational policy contexts, national and global trends and their impact upon leadership and the quality of teachers work in schools. These related international perspectives give an analysis of the current and future challenges of raising standards of achievement in the third millennium. The chapters collectively show that although the vision for reconstructing education is flawed so far, there is scope for considerable optimism for the future; and that the key to the successful fulfilment of such a vision is the teacher.

Back Cover

Contributors from around the world tackle the factors that have the greatest impact on creating quality learning opportunities for students: namely policy, school leadership and teaching/teachers' lives. Drawing on a range of critical conceptual and empirical perspectives, the contributions illustrate the extent to which experience can be similar around the world. The book sheds much-needed light on the effects of mandated change upon school leaders and teachers, both nationally and internationally. It also demonstrates how teachers have coped or flourished, both because and in spite of the changing circumstances they work under.

Author Biography

Christopher Day, Alicia Fernandez, Trond E. Hauge, Jorunn Muller

Table of Contents

Part 1: Teacher Professionalism and Conditions of Change 1. Professional Knowledge and the Teacher's Life and Work Ivor Goodson, UK 2. The Politics of the Secret Garden Gary McCulloch, UK 3. Curriculum Reform and Education Change Paul Morris, K.K. Chan and Lo Mun Ling, Hong Kong 4. Educational Researchers: Living with a Lesser Form of Knowledge Dave Larbee, USA 5. Rethinking the Practice of Teacher Professionalism Judyth Sachs, Australia Part 2: The LIves and Work of Teachers 6. Multiple Truths and Contested Realities: The Changing Faces of Teacher Professionalism in England Gill Helsby, UK 7. Stories of Change and Professional Development: The Costs of Commitment Christopher Day, UK 8. A New Work Order in Australian Schools? Investigations from Down Under Shirley Grundy and Stuart Bonser, Australia 9. Working Time Blues: How Norwegian Teachers Experience Restrucration in Education Kirsti Klette, Norway 10. Student Teachers' Struggle in Becoming Professionals: Hopes and Dilemmas in Teacher Education Trond Hauge, Norway

Review

'... reassuring conclusion, based on a wide range of international comparisons, is that teachers are collectively learning to subvert the cruder manifestations of production-line control.' - The Times Educational Supplement

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