ERIC Number: EJ1454535
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1366-4530
EISSN: EISSN-1747-5120
Opportunities for Teacher Learning in Teaching Difficult Histories: A Social Theory of Learning Perspective
Teacher Development, v29 n1 p150-166 2025
This study examined the learning trajectory of five US humanities teachers when navigating learning to teach the difficult history of school desegregation within a context of a six-month inquiry-based professional development. The research questions were: What do teachers frame as problems when teaching difficult histories? How do they reconceptualize and resolve the problems in a teacher community? The primary data included video recordings of small group discussions, where each teacher contributed lesson ideas for feedback from fellow teachers. Analysis drew from three modes of belonging, in conjunction with four dimensions of historical inquiry. The findings revealed that teachers often identified problems in teaching school desegregation by emphasizing issues related to teaching perspectives. However, through collaborative interactions with their colleagues, they were able to resolve these challenges. This was achieved by clarifying teaching goals, renegotiating the meanings of learning tasks, and selecting appropriate resources.
Descriptors: Controversial Issues (Course Content), Faculty Development, Teaching Methods, Humanities, Learning Trajectories, United States History, Humanities Instruction, School Desegregation, Course Content, Barriers, Desegregation Litigation, Civil Rights Legislation, Federal Legislation, Voting, Middle School Teachers, Teacher Attitudes
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Brown v Board of Education; Voting Rights Act 1965; Civil Rights Act 1964
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A