Characteristics and Conditions for Innovative Teachers : International Perspectives

Characteristics and Conditions for Innovative Teachers: International Perspectives is a must-read for all those with an interest in teacher education and in enabling teacher innovation. It provides a blend of education theory, practice and research and will appeal to a wide audience including teachers, teacher educators, student teachers, school leaders, policy makers and other stakeholders.

Drawing on a wealth of international perspectives, this key text provides a unique insight into how innovative teachers are understood and supported in their respective contexts. It provides recommendations and insights into the characteristics of innovative teachers and considers how best to support professional development to ensure innovation is both encouraged and meaningful.

Considering the impact of conditions, context and agency on innovative teachers, the book explores the concept of innovation. It provides rationales for the focus on innovative teachers, identifies characteristics of innovative teachers and offers conceptual models underpinned by research, along with an analysis of current international policy on innovation in education. It explores the rich data obtained from research undertaken in 16 different countries and concludes by focusing on how to nurture innovative teachers through professional development.

Kay Livingston is a Professor of Educational Research, Policy and Practice at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

Carol O’Sullivan is a former Head of Department and former lecturer in Social, Personal and Health Education in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland.

Karl Attard is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Consumer Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Malta, Malta.