Teacher Learning in a Community of Practice: A Case Study of ...
Teacher Learning in a Community of Practice: A Case Study of ...
Teacher Learning in a Community of Practice: A Case Study of ...
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5.4.3 A summary <strong>of</strong> the key differences between John's teach<strong>in</strong>g practice before<br />
his <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> the TEMS programme and after eight months <strong>of</strong><br />
participation <strong>in</strong> the TEMS programme<br />
Table 5.1: Key differences <strong>in</strong> John's practice<br />
Key characteristics <strong>of</strong> his classroom Key characteristics <strong>of</strong> his classroom<br />
practice before participation <strong>in</strong> TEMS practice after participation TEMS<br />
Poor subject content knowledge Displayed significant subject content<br />
knowledge<br />
Inability to relate everyday economic Had developed an economics perspective -<br />
phenomena to EMS and EMS teach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a ability to identify and make sense <strong>of</strong>economics<br />
mean<strong>in</strong>gful way <strong>in</strong> everyday phenomena<br />
Lessons built on potentially mislead<strong>in</strong>g Lessons developed with an understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong><br />
everyday understand<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong>economic the concepts <strong>of</strong>the discipl<strong>in</strong>e<br />
phenomena<br />
Tight locus <strong>of</strong>control with regard to what and Improved knowledge enabled a more dispersed<br />
how learn<strong>in</strong>g took place (as a result <strong>of</strong> 're<strong>in</strong>' on how and what was learnt. Ability to<br />
<strong>in</strong>security related to <strong>in</strong>adequate EMS exploit opportunities that arose to enhance<br />
knowledge) pupils' understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>EMS<br />
Inadequate subject content knowledge resulted Improved knowledge facilitated freer and more<br />
<strong>in</strong> stifled <strong>in</strong>teractions with pupils purposeful <strong>in</strong>terchange with pupils<br />
Unfamiliar with the nature <strong>of</strong>the discipl<strong>in</strong>e and Had begun to engage <strong>in</strong> a pedagogical<br />
its associated pedagogical approach approach that articulated with the nature <strong>of</strong>the<br />
discipl<strong>in</strong>e<br />
Limited mean<strong>in</strong>gful question<strong>in</strong>g - little or no Significantly improved question<strong>in</strong>g technique<br />
attention paid to levels <strong>of</strong>questions asked and test<strong>in</strong>g higher order th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g skills<br />
with seem<strong>in</strong>gly little awareness <strong>of</strong>how these<br />
might contribute to learners' conceptual<br />
development<br />
Inability to probe <strong>in</strong>correct responses - Confidence to engage with <strong>in</strong>correct responses<br />
dismissive - preferred to 'side-step' the - tolerant and supportive - comfortable with<br />
unknown uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty and confident <strong>in</strong> his ability to direct<br />
responses towards more correct positions<br />
Insular approach to content and its boundaries Easily identifies opportunities for <strong>in</strong>tegration<br />
across learn<strong>in</strong>g areas<br />
Limited opportunities to engage pupils <strong>in</strong> Opportunities for read<strong>in</strong>g, writ<strong>in</strong>g and speak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
read<strong>in</strong>g, writ<strong>in</strong>g and speak<strong>in</strong>g lead<strong>in</strong>g to conceptual development <strong>in</strong> EMS<br />
Fairly rigid approach to lesson plann<strong>in</strong>g and Made critical and valid shifts dur<strong>in</strong>g the course<br />
presentation - lesson proceeded rigidly <strong>of</strong>the lesson, mak<strong>in</strong>g the most <strong>of</strong>learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
accord<strong>in</strong>g to plan opportunities as they arose - had developed a<br />
deep enough understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong>subject content<br />
knowledge to do so.<br />
Poor subject matter knowledge resulted <strong>in</strong> Logical, sequential development <strong>of</strong>concepts -<br />
misconception and confusion <strong>of</strong>concepts <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g complexity<br />
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