This commentary aims to encourage a research-based, critical, inquiring approach to the development of play-based learning in primary schools. I suggest that this approach could build from the wealth of knowledge in the early childhood education sector. I also invite greater collaboration between early childhood and primary teachers, particularly…

People often think that power only flows downhill in school. The author draws on his own research observations, as well as the philosophy of Michel Foucault, to offer more nuanced insights. He explains that power is not a "thing" people can possess and that it flows in multiple directions, forming a web of influence. These insights…

There are many different job titles for this position around the country: school librarian, library media specialist, information technology specialist, research technology specialist, and library media coordinator. The position has changed from primarily a traditional librarian position to a balance of teaching and librarianship, and it's…

Despite years of controversy about what counts as rigorous educational research and significant amounts of taxpayers' support for related reform of U.S. public schools, serious inequities in U.S. K-12 education remain. The authors of this essay bring the perspectives of two tenured university teacher educators who share a background of over 40…

The win-win approach to solving conflicts, which has become popular in the business world, should be a natural for the school environment. Win-win thinking can foster a cooperative school climate by meeting educators' and students' needs for dignity, belonging, and respect. Yet win-win thinking faces a number of obstacles in schools, writes…

Over the past two decades, numerous textbooks have been published on teacher leadership; however, this is the only volume that provides a definitive overview of the scholarship and writing being done in the field of teacher leadership. This book introduces the reader to the scholarship of over 35 authors, and thus, becomes an essential tool needed…

This essay contributes a Pacific Islands perspective to the global discussion of "Living Together: Education and Intercultural Dialogue". Through poetry and prose, this essay traces the impact of the Tongan concept of "vaa" (values/valued relationships) on learning and language. By invoking UNESCO's mandate to build peace…

This article is a response to Greenbank's (2006) "The academic's role: the need for a re-evaluation?" It is also a contribution to the ongoing debate about the need to develop a broader view of scholarship and the different activities related to it such as "teaching", "research" and "service to the community". Arguments related to current research…

Outlines some principles which seem to be important both to bridging the gap between parent and teachers' expectations and enabling the whole area of parent-teacher relations to operate more effectively. (MP)

Background information is provided on gifted students with learning disabilities and/or physical impairments. The need for collaborative interventions to meet the needs of these students is discussed, viewing collaboration as personal interaction, as the interaction of roles, and as interinstitutional interaction. A collaborative/consultation…

Presents working principles for collaborative classroom research, involving negotiating access to and exit from schools; restructuring meaning rather than judging practice; perceiving the research subject/teacher as "knower" and collaborator; maintaining openness of purpose, judgment, and interpretation; permitting multiple interpretations of…

Ideally teacher educators play a significant role in the initial empowerment of teachers as professionals. The level of success teacher educators have in this role reflects their own level of empowerment. Empowered teacher educators have a clear perception of the role of a teacher and of their own role as a teacher educator. To achieve empowerment…

Blacksmiths and their craft have changed with the times, and as times change for teachers, they too should be forgers of links. Teacher-to-teacher links should extend beyond the faculty lounge to support systems and active groups of individuals concerned about each other. Another personal link can be made by developing a grade level, system-wide…

The author reviews the background of mainstreaming and least restrictive environment placement for handicapped children, cites problems with the implementation of the concept, and suggests a cooperative approach. He asserts that the learning environment should be modified by focusing on the following factors: modification of content and materials,…

Urges English teachers to become more involved in curriculum development. (RL)