Practical Theorising in Teacher Education

This insightful collection offers a timely contribution to the body of research on practical theorising in teacher education. Acknowledging the importance of experience and reflective practice in teaching, this book simultaneously embraces the essential need for teachers at all career stages to engage effectively and critically with evidence from research.

Drawing together a range of perspectives from university-based and school-based teacher educators, this book examines the challenges and critiques advanced when practical theorising was first proposed, as well as recent tensions created by the performative culture that now pervades education. It illustrates the constant renegotiation and renewal necessary to sustain such an approach to beginners’ learning, investigating a range of tools developed by teacher educators to help beginning teachers navigate these demands.

Demonstrating the value of practical theorising and therefore promoting powerful professional learning for practitioners, this book is essential for teachers at all career stages, including trainee teachers and student teachers.

Katharine Burn is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Oxford and PGCE Course Director; she also coordinates the work of the Oxford Education Deanery, supporting local teachers’ initial and continued professional learning through research engagement and collaboration. She is Honorary Secretary of the Historical Association and co-editor of the professional journal Teaching History.

Trevor Mutton is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Oxford and is Director of Graduate Studies. He is currently vice-chair of the University Council for the Education of Teachers and Deputy Editor of the Journal of Education for Teaching.

Ian Thompson is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Oxford. He is currently Deputy President of the International Society for Cultural-historical Activity Research and co-editor of the journal Teaching Education.