Empathy is a form of perception in which individuals access the perspectives of others about the world in order to build knowledge about it. It is also a source of self-knowledge because, as a con- sequence of learning how others see us, we can regulate and refine how we see ourselves. Empathy is, therefore, an important capacity through which…

Recalling Freire's lessons on education and teacher development, this study embraces the transformative power of dialogue. In the context of Brazilian public schools, where education faces challenges such as rigid curriculum prescriptions, the researchers implemented a Lesson Study cycle as a dialogic teacher development intervention. Despite…

This qualitative case study investigates how faculty members in a Title I middle school engage in collaborative practices to enhance professional growth without formal professional learning. Framed within a descriptive lens (Merriam, 1998) and informed by Brown and Duguid's Community of Practice (CoP) framework (1991), the study addresses two…

Purpose: Lesson studies, a methodology originally developed in Japan, has been used in an increasing number of contexts, both in relation to initial teacher training and in the context of ongoing professional development. However, the research reported on the use of lesson studies in the training of physical education teachers is very limited. The…

This qualitative case study investigates how Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) influence teacher self-efficacy and collaboration in a rural school district. Using a qualitative case study approach, researchers will collect qualitative data through focus groups and interviews. Themes drawn from this study include trust and relationships as…

Curricula are planned and written by curriculum developers; they serve as instructional guides for educators. Educators make adaptations to written curricula to meet learners' needs and achieve intended learning outcomes. The efficacy of curriculum adaptations is enhanced when educators have a high pedagogical design capacity, which can be…

The concept of professional learning communities (PLCs) has received considerable attention in research as well as in school practice since the late 1990s. PLCs have been positively associated with a variety of outcomes for both teachers and students, but differences in the way the concept is operationalised, and the fact that most of the research…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the history and current state of lesson study (LS) in Germany. In particular, this paper describes the development of LS over time and its stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach: Conducting a systematic literature review, we searched three scientific databases and Google Scholar,…

This study investigates the multifaceted roles and competences of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) educators and their engagement in Communities of Practice (CoPs). Through an online survey of Greek educators who have implemented STEAM educational projects, employing both closed and open-ended questions, this research…

Prior to this study being conducted, it was not known how teachers describe the PLC collaboration among teachers and school leaders that supports faculty development. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how teachers in Texas describe the PLC collaboration among teachers and school leaders that supports faculty development.…

Purpose: Despite the continuous growth of empirical studies exploring professional learning communities (PLCs) across different education systems, little is known about PLC instruments developed and used in existing research. This article aims to capture a full picture of existing PLC instruments developed since 1990. In so doing, the authors also…

This study explored how Malawian teachers who participated in an adapted lesson study (LS) professional development (PD) for the first time understood teacher collaboration, and the lessons learnt by the inexperienced knowledgeable other (KOs) through facilitating the new practice. The study was conducted qualitatively using data from lesson…

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore mathematics teachers' collaboration within their professional learning communities (PLCs), and to gain insight into how the teachers developed their collective efficacy through it to focus on improving student learning. Design/methodology/approach: Using a qualitative approach, data were collected…

Collective teacher efficacy has gained growing attention in the field of teacher education due to its potential to enhance student experiences and life chances, as well as foster positive teaching practices and dispositions. It is believed that an inquiry-based learning community provides a promising environment for the development of collective…

Professional learning communities (PLCs) have become the gold standard of teachers' professional learning. However, their success is far from guaranteed. Little is known regarding the processes that groups of learners undergo to become fully-fledged PLCs. This study followed a teachers' PLC over three years. It shows how the facilitator learned to…