Discussions of quality dominate the field of teacher education. However, definitions of quality can vary enormously and are often vague and imprecise, relying on proxies for quality which make inaccurate assumptions about what matters in the education of teachers. This book explores different ways in which quality can be defined and understood within teacher education, offering a way of categorizing and understanding why some quality indicators miss the mark. The book introduces the idea of a quality conundrum, with illustrative examples from international ITE practice, to show how different conceptions of quality in ITE can have good intentions but be potentially damaging to its overall transformative potential. It also provides examples of where practice has been able to move beyond restrictive definitions of quality to enact a more transformative vision of teacher education. This analysis ties the use of quality indicators to historical developments in teacher education and political shifts in how it is viewed, the role education is perceived to play in society, and considers where the power lies in locating who decides what counts as quality in teacher education (and also who and what gets excluded). Key topics covered include: · the use of standards, accreditation and inspection frameworks; · the range of input, process, output and perspectival indicators used to judge quality in ITE; · the different discourses of teacher quality which influence the pedagogy and structure of teacher education programmes. The author also gives particular attention to how to address different approaches to quality when they start to reach conundrum proportions, and how to redress teacher education towards what matters rather than what counts.

In this book geography educators from around the globe discuss their research into the power of geographical thinking and consider successful strategies to implement, improve and advance geography education in research and practice. It addresses key topics in geography education, such as multicultural competence, the role of teachers, the geography curriculum, spatial thinking, geographic information systems, geocapabilities, and climate change. At a global level the contributors and editors bring together the most advanced collection of research and discussion surrounding issues in geography education. The book will be of interest to geography education researchers worldwide, including academics at university and teachers in schools, as well as professional geographers with an interest in education.

Debates about what constitutes quality in initial teacher education have resulted in a series of quality conundrums that have to be unravelled by teacher educators. Using the lens of scale and adopting a new approach to understanding quality, this book draws upon empirical research into five large-scale, high-quality university-based teacher education providers in Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand and the US. The resulting model of initial teacher education practice shows how ideological concepts and accountability structures around teacher education are in constant tension with operational realities. The book explores how successful large-scale providers have reconciled those tensions and conundrums to ensure their provision is consistently high quality. The accounts also present a robust defence for university-based teacher education. The practice-based accounts of how tensions around quality and scale are being reconciled reveal the competing discourses around teacher professionalism, research and the role of the university in teacher education. The analysis presented promises to change the way we view high-quality teacher education across all providers and international contexts, not just those of large scale. This book will be of great interest to teacher educators, policymakers and educational leaders.

Studying PGCE Geography at M Level is for all students undertaking their PGCE, those working to gain Masters credits, and experienced teachers who wish to broaden their understanding of geography education.

Bridging the gap between theory and practice, it is designed to support and challenge teachers as they explore geography education research, consider how theory and research enhance practice, and develop critical reflection on practice. Divided into three key sections, it:

• investigates professional practice - what we understand about professionalism and quality in geography education, and how teachers can improve their practice
• introduces perspectives and debates on key themes and ideas in geography education, including subject expertise, sustainable development, learning outside the classroom, and assessment
• provides practical guidance on the skills involved in undertaking M level work extended reading, engaging with theory, undertaking research, and writing your dissertation.

Chapters include key readings and questions to encourage further research and reflection, and every chapter is illustrated with summaries of real students dissertations, demonstrating the kind of research undertaken at M Level.

Written by experts in geography education, Studying PGCE Geography at M Level offers invaluable support and inspiration for all those engaged in teaching, research and writing in geography education.

Debates about what constitutes quality in initial teacher education have resulted in a series of quality conundrums that have to be unravelled by teacher educators. Using the lens of scale and adopting a new approach to understanding quality, this book draws upon empirical research into five large-scale, high-quality university-based teacher education providers in Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand and the US. The resulting model of initial teacher education practice shows how ideological concepts and accountability structures around teacher education are in constant tension with operational realities. The book explores how successful large-scale providers have reconciled those tensions and conundrums to ensure their provision is consistently high quality. The accounts also present a robust defence for university-based teacher education. The practice-based accounts of how tensions around quality and scale are being reconciled reveal the competing discourses around teacher professionalism, research and the role of the university in teacher education. The analysis presented promises to change the way we view high-quality teacher education across all providers and international contexts, not just those of large scale. This book will be of great interest to teacher educators, policymakers and educational leaders.

Teacher Subject Identity in Professional Practice focuses on a key, but neglected, element of a teacher's identity: that of their subject expertise. Studies of teachers' professional practice have shown the importance of a teacher's identity and the extent to which it can affect their resilience, commitment and ultimately their effectiveness. Drawing upon narrative research undertaken with a range of teachers over a period of 14 years, the book explores how subject expertise can play a significant role in teacher identity, acting as a professional compass guiding teachers at all levels of their professional practice. It reveals powerful individual stories of meaning-making which highlight the dynamic importance of teachers' subject expertise The book's metaphor of a professional compass goes to the heart of teacher professionalism, and provides a valuable mechanism to enable teachers to respond to challenges they face in their daily practice. It enables teachers to consider the moral dimensions of their practice, and can constitute a significant component in professional formation and identity. Throughout the book the importance of subject expertise for teachers' professional practice is explored at a range of scales: from the classroom to broad education policy, and at different stages of a teacher's career which offers readers a deeper understanding of the importance of subject expertise for teachers. Teacher Subject Identity in Professional Practice makes a significant contribution to an under-researched area. It identifies the role and significance of teachers' subject expertise as a dimension of their teacher identity. The book is key reading for teacher educators, policy makers and researchers with an interest in teachers' professional development and practice.

In this book geography educators from around the globe discuss their research into the power of geographical thinking and consider successful strategies to implement, improve and advance geography education in research and practice. It addresses key topics in geography education, such as multicultural competence, the role of teachers, the geography curriculum, spatial thinking, geographic information systems, geocapabilities, and climate change. At a global level the contributors and editors bring together the most advanced collection of research and discussion surrounding issues in geography education. The book will be of interest to geography education researchers worldwide, including academics at university and teachers in schools, as well as professional geographers with an interest in education.

Studying PGCE Geography at M Level is for all students undertaking their PGCE, those working to gain Masters credits, and experienced teachers who wish to broaden their understanding of geography education.

Bridging the gap between theory and practice, it is designed to support and challenge teachers as they explore geography education research, consider how theory and research enhance practice, and develop critical reflection on practice. Divided into three key sections, it:

• investigates professional practice - what we understand about professionalism and quality in geography education, and how teachers can improve their practice
• introduces perspectives and debates on key themes and ideas in geography education, including subject expertise, sustainable development, learning outside the classroom, and assessment
• provides practical guidance on the skills involved in undertaking M level work ? extended reading, engaging with theory, undertaking research, and writing your dissertation.

Chapters include key readings and questions to encourage further research and reflection, and every chapter is illustrated with summaries of real students? dissertations, demonstrating the kind of research undertaken at M Level.

Written by experts in geography education, Studying PGCE Geography at M Level offers invaluable support and inspiration for all those engaged in teaching, research and writing in geography education.

Discussions of quality dominate the field of teacher education. However, definitions of quality can vary enormously and are often vague and imprecise, relying on proxies for quality which make inaccurate assumptions about what matters in the education of teachers. This book explores different ways in which quality can be defined and understood within teacher education, offering a way of categorizing and understanding why some quality indicators miss the mark. The book introduces the idea of a quality conundrum, with illustrative examples from international ITE practice, to show how different conceptions of quality in ITE can have good intentions but be potentially damaging to its overall transformative potential. It also provides examples of where practice has been able to move beyond restrictive definitions of quality to enact a more transformative vision of teacher education. This analysis ties the use of quality indicators to historical developments in teacher education and political shifts in how it is viewed, the role education is perceived to play in society, and considers where the power lies in locating who decides what counts as quality in teacher education (and also who and what gets excluded). Key topics covered include: · the use of standards, accreditation and inspection frameworks; · the range of input, process, output and perspectival indicators used to judge quality in ITE; · the different discourses of teacher quality which influence the pedagogy and structure of teacher education programmes. The author also gives particular attention to how to address different approaches to quality when they start to reach conundrum proportions, and how to redress teacher education towards what matters rather than what counts.

Teacher Subject Identity in Professional Practice focuses on a key, but neglected, element of a teacher's identity: that of their subject expertise. Studies of teachers' professional practice have shown the importance of a teacher's identity and the extent to which it can affect their resilience, commitment and ultimately their effectiveness. Drawing upon narrative research undertaken with a range of teachers over a period of 14 years, the book explores how subject expertise can play a significant role in teacher identity, acting as a professional compass guiding teachers at all levels of their professional practice. It reveals powerful individual stories of meaning-making which highlight the dynamic importance of teachers' subject expertise The book's metaphor of a professional compass goes to the heart of teacher professionalism, and provides a valuable mechanism to enable teachers to respond to challenges they face in their daily practice. It enables teachers to consider the moral dimensions of their practice, and can constitute a significant component in professional formation and identity. Throughout the book the importance of subject expertise for teachers' professional practice is explored at a range of scales: from the classroom to broad education policy, and at different stages of a teacher's career which offers readers a deeper understanding of the importance of subject expertise for teachers. Teacher Subject Identity in Professional Practice makes a significant contribution to an under-researched area. It identifies the role and significance of teachers' subject expertise as a dimension of their teacher identity. The book is key reading for teacher educators, policy makers and researchers with an interest in teachers' professional development and practice.