Draws on the Teachers Learning Collaborative (a network of three teacher study groups across southeastern Michigan) to illustrate the potential of teacher research for informing the field, as well as to demonstrate a particular model within which such research can be accomplished. (SG)

Considers what it means to listen in the context of teaching, and what it means to teach in the context of listening. Explores the character of listening as it is lived in teaching by drawing from stories told during conversations among three teachers about particular students (SG)

Examines the role of imagination in literacy learning using data collected over a 5-year period in the author's primary classrooms. Notes that the study progressed to a conceptual structure that proposes an inside-out theory of literacy learning. Argues that to be successful and meaningful to all, literacy teaching must begin and end with a focus…

Principals are key to the success of whole-faculty study groups. Successful study groups require principals to: sponsor and advocate for them; participate in training and planning sessions; plan time for study groups to meet; ensure that study groups communicate with each other; and chart the impact on student learning. Examples from several…

Examined implementation of centralized instructional supervision at a private Turkish secondary school, exploring administrators', department heads', and teachers' perceptions of this system's impact on all aspects of education. Results show that the system has deficiencies due to its judgmental, subjective nature and lack of adequate inspectors.…

Presents micro and macro approaches to professional development in Malta, which depend on teacher personal initiatives and the education system, outlining the historical context of faculty development in Malta; examining central issues, challenges, and approaches; emphasizing the need to establish a culture where professional development is…

Some teachers are building and sharing their wisdom and know-how through lesson study, in the process creating memorable learning experiences for students and for each other. This paper describes how lesson study can transform teaching and how schools are implementing lesson study. A sidebar presents questions to consider in lesson study. (SM)

Describes the use of a professional development process called lesson study, which puts teachers in a leadership role for improving their own classroom practices. Administrators also play a critical role in whether lesson study will succeed or falter. A sidebar offers questions for administrators to consider as their schools work toward using…

Presents the reflections of two of the many people who had been active in the Catskill Whole Language Council to reflect on the annual Catskill Retrospection and Contemplation Preconference, which preceded the annual Whole Language Conference. Notes the successful formula included singing engaging songs together, welcoming remarks, and inspiring…

Examines technology professional development for preservice and inservice teachers. Reviews the current status of technology in our schools, professional development for teachers and for technology, and research on efforts to increase preservice teacher use of technology in appropriate ways. (Contains 61 references.) (Author/LRW)

Discusses how to engineer more time into the school day for staff development by restructuring staff, using technology, and team teaching. School boards and parents must be given education, information, and results to experiment with these and other options to create time. A sidebar describes how to create a 15-hour block of time for planning or…

One elementary and two secondary teachers from the Roeper School (Michigan) for gifted students present instructional dilemmas that exemplify the complex nature of teaching. Each case is followed by expert commentaries from within and outside the field of gifted education. Cases address learning from a master teacher, the student with a poor…

Using the Professional Circle model, teachers can move from isolation to collaboration while pursuing goals with others who share similar interests. A Professional Circle offers teachers continued motivation, acknowledgment, and support of self- development efforts. Presents guidelines for developing a Professional Circle, describing the…

To provide engineering faculty with professional development experiences, Penn State developed industry-sponsored internships in which faculty serve as engineers in small and medium-sized manufacturers. The process benefits both parties and identifies potential sites for student internships. (SK)

Describes implementation and evaluation of high school peer-coaching program that provides for two or three teachers to help one another improve their teaching techniques. Majority of 17 teachers in study report reduced sense of isolation and improved teaching skills. (Contains 17 references.) (PKP)