Professional Learning Conversations: Challenges in Using Evidence for Improvement (Professional Learning and Development in Schools and Higher Education)

This volume provides informed arguments, theory and practical examples based on research about what it looks like when educators, policy makers, and even students, try to rethink and change their practices by engaging in evidence-based conversations to challenge and inform their work. It allows the reader to experience these conversations. Each story reveals the depth of thinking that change requires, showing that change requires new learning and new learning is hard.

This volume provides informed arguments, theory and practical examples based on research about what it looks like when educators, policy makers, and even students, try to rethink and change their practices by engaging in evidence-based conversations to challenge and inform their work. It allows the reader to experience these conversations. Each story reveals the depth of thinking that change requires and gives important insights into the challenge associated with changing thinking and practice. Some of the stories are encouraging and others are frustrating. Taken together, they give tremendous insight into "what it takes" for conceptual change that will fundamentally shift educational practice.

"This book moves beyond just promoting the use of evidence to examining just what is known and how it occurs in a range of settings, especially in interaction with others. This type of book will be key in a desired move to where professional educators reestablish their knowledge and responsibility base in educational policy and practice." Bill Mullford, Professor of Education, University of Tasmania