ABSTRACT

This book presents critical perspectives on teacher professional learning and professional development as interpreted in 14 countries across Europe.

Bringing together experts from across Europe, the book fulfils a need for a better understanding of the changing nature of teacher professional learning in national policy contexts and of the cultural differences existing between various systems. It discusses the new thinking that has emerged in the field of teacher education alongside new models that reflect the changing patterns and policies relating to the ways educational professionals maintain and enhance professional practice. The book highlights that new models of teacher leadership and practitioner inquiry have a strong focus on pedagogy and social justice. It also examines briefly the challenges brought about by the Covid pandemic and the ways in which new approaches to professional learning, specifically the use of new technologies, have begun to transform practice in some countries in Europe.

The book gives insights into the ways in which professional learning policy is interpreted and applied in practice. It will be highly relevant for researchers and post-graduate students in the fields of teacher professional learning and development, school leadership, comparative education and educational policy and planning.

chapter 1|5 pages

Introduction

chapter 4|13 pages

Teacher professionalism in Estonia

The lost paradise of lifelong learning?

chapter 5|12 pages

Teacher Professional Learning in the Republic of Ireland

Policy development to policy enactment

chapter 6|12 pages

Teacher professional development in Romania

Framing learning, responsibility, and change through crisis

chapter 9|14 pages

Co-constructing a new approach to professional learning in Wales

Implementing a national vision

chapter 10|13 pages

Teachers' learning and development in England

Complexity and challenges

chapter 11|17 pages

Learning leaders

Teacher learning in Northern Ireland

chapter 12|13 pages

Teachers' professional development

The potential of teacher collaboration in Flemish (Belgian) schools

chapter 13|12 pages

Professional learning and development in Denmark

From formal competence development and professional learning communities to an emergence approach

chapter 14|12 pages

Initial education overestimated – continuing education neglected

Status and perspectives of continuing professional development of teachers in Germany

chapter 15|15 pages

Teacher education policies in Italy

In search of professional learning indicators

chapter 16|11 pages

Teachers' continuing professional development in France

A systemic transformation in progress

chapter 18|13 pages

Practitioner enquiry

Exploring method for understanding teacher learning

chapter 19|10 pages

Conclusion

A reflection on the different routes towards innovation in teacher professional learning