Survival of people in a progressive society is value based. Human and social values have sustained the humanity ever since advances in civilization gave rise to organized social structures. However, individual and sectarian motives in the progressively rampant complexities of the society have taken the precedence over the humanitarian concerns and a rapid erosion of human and social values has become the order of the day. Value education has become an answer to the challenge of strengthening moral and social fabric of the societies. The need to devise educational methods and approaches which are dynamic, reflective and would help to restore vales and transform social forces into creative and constructive channels has for long been recognized.
Recent worldwide education policy has reinvented teachers as agents of change and professional developers of the school curriculum. Academic literature has analyzed changes in how teacher professionalism is conceived in policy and in practice but Teacher Agency provides a fresh perspective on this issue, drawing upon an ecological theory of agency. Using this model for understanding agency, Mark Priestley, Gert Biesta and Sarah Robinson explore empirical findings from the 'Teacher Agency and Curriculum Change' project, funded by the UK-based Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Drawing together this research with the authors' international experiences and perspectives, Teacher Agency addresses theoretical and practical issues of international significance. The authors illustrate how teacher agency should be understood not only in terms of individual capacity of teachers, but also in respect of the cultures and structures of schooling.
This booklet presents articles that deal with identifying signs of stress and methods of reducing work-related stressors. An introductory article gives a summary of the causes, consequences, and cures of teacher stress and burnout. In articles on recognizing signs of stress, "Type A" and "Type B" personalities are examined, with implications for stressful behavior related to each type, and a case history of a teacher who was beaten by a student is given. Methods of overcoming job-related stress are suggested in eight articles: (1) "How Some Teachers Avoid Burnout"; (2) "The Nibble Method of Overcoming Stress"; (3) "Twenty Ways I Save Time"; (4) "How To Bring Forth The Relaxation Response"; (5) "How To Draw Vitality From Stress"; (6) "Six Steps to a Positive Addiction"; (7)"Positive Denial: The Case For Not Facing Reality"; and (8) "Conquering Common Stressors". A workshop guide is offered for reducing and preventing teacher burnout by establishing support groups, reducing stressors, changing perceptions of stressors, and improving coping abilities. Workshop roles of initiator, facilitator, and members are discussed. An annotated bibliography of twelve books about stress is included. (FG)
How can countries prepare teachers to face the diverse challenges in today's schools? The OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) helps answer this question by asking teachers and school leaders about their working conditions and the learning environments at their schools. TALIS aims to provide valid, timely and comparable information to help countries review and define policies for developing a high-quality teaching profession. It is an opportunity for teachers and school leaders to provide input into educational policy analysis and development in key areas. This report presents the results of the second cycle of the TALIS survey conducted in 2013.
Does the Nordic model of education still stand by its original principles and safeguard education for all? This Open Access volume is a carefully crafted collection of chapters that investigate the different aspects of equity, equality and diversity across the education systems in the Nordic countries. Based on data from various national and international large-scale assessments, the volume provides a better understanding of both the functions and foundations of the Nordic model, along with how the concepts mentioned above are enacted in practice. Across the chapters, data from different national and international large-scale assessment studies are used for cross- and single-country analyses on a variety of issues related to equity, equality and inequality in diverse educational settings. The investigations address different subject domains (i.e., mathematics, science, reading), age and grade groups, but also issues related to teachers and the schools themselves. In addition to these empirical chapters, the book addresses the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of the ideas and tools embedded in the phenomena of equity and equality and how they have met in the Nordic model of education.
Efficiency and effectiveness—two sides of the same coin, yet constantly at odds. While efficiency is about the ability and capacity to perform, effectiveness is about the impact and results of those efforts. True mastery lies in using efficiency to achieve effectiveness, creating a lasting positive impact. Vivek, a passionate young researcher, embarks on a journey to an age-old educational institute. Following his guide’s instructions, he meets with some of the most effective teachers, academic giants who have mastered the art of teaching. Through insightful observations, deep interviews, and thoughtful discussions, Vivek uncovers the philosophies, beliefs, work styles, and teaching methods of these exceptional educators. Each encounter opens new windows into the world of teaching, reshaping his understanding of what it means to be an effective teacher. Unlock the secrets to successful teaching with insights from top educational thinkers and researchers. In Mastering the Art of Teaching, discover practical strategies and principles that will transform your classroom into a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Whether you are a new teacher or a seasoned educator, this guide provides valuable tools to: Build strong, meaningful relationships with your students. Foster a growth mindset and inspire a love of learning. Create innovative and effective lessons that captivate students. Manage your classroom with consistency and care. Deliver impactful feedback that motivates and guides. Make learning relevant, engaging, and memorable. Elevate your teaching practice and become the educator you’ve always aspired to be. With this essential guide, transform not only your classroom but also the lives of your students, leaving a legacy of excellence that extends far beyond the walls of your school.
This report presents information regarding the patterns of variation in the salaries paid to public and private school teachers in relation to various personal and job characteristics. Specifically, the analysis examines the relationship between compensation and variables such as public/private schools, gender, race/ethnic background, school level and type, teacher qualifications, and different work environments. The economic conceptual framework of hedonic wage theory, which illuminates the trade-offs between monetary rewards and the various sets of characteristics of employees and jobs, was used to analyze The Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) database. The national survey was administered by the National Center for Education Statistics during the 1987-88, 1990-91, and 1993-94 school years. Findings indicate that on average, public school teachers earned between about 25 to 119 percent higher salaries than did private school teachers, depending on the private subsector. Between about 2 and 50 percent of the public-private difference could be accounted for by differences in teacher characteristics, depending on the private subsector. White and Hispanic male public school teachers earned higher salaries than their female counterparts. Hedonic wage theory would predict that teacher salaries would be higher in schools with more challenging, more difficult, and less desirable work environments. Schools with higher levels of student violence, lower levels of administrative support, and large class sizes paid higher salaries to compensate teachers for the additional burdens. However, some of the findings contradict the hypothesis. For example, public school teachers working in schools characterized by fewer family problems, higher levels of teacher influence on policy, and higher job satisfaction also received higher salaries. In conclusion, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that a complex array of factors underlie the processes of teacher supply and demand and hence the determination of salaries. Teachers are not all the same, but are differentiated by their attributes. At the same time, districts and schools are differentiated by virtue of the work environment they offer. Seventeen tables and two figures are included. Appendices contain technical notes, descriptive statistics and parameter estimates for variables, and standard errors for selected tables. (Contains 84 references.) (LMI)
