Quality: Keywords in Teacher Education

Quality discussions in teacher education are often vague and imprecise, leading to a quality conundrum. This book explores different ways of defining and understanding quality in ITE, offering a way to categorize and understand why some quality indicators miss the mark. 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.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Quality is a central theme in the field of teacher education, with discussions often revolving around its elusive and multifaceted nature. Definitions of quality can vary widely, often being vague and imprecise, relying on proxies that make inaccurate assumptions about what truly matters in the education of teachers. This book aims to explore different perspectives on quality within teacher education, offering a framework for categorizing and understanding why certain quality indicators may fall short.

The book introduces the concept of a "quality conundrum," using illustrative examples from international teacher education practice to demonstrate how different conceptions of quality can have well-intentioned intentions but ultimately hinder the transformative potential of the field. It highlights how restrictive definitions of quality can limit the ability to enact a more transformative vision of teacher education.

The analysis ties the use of quality indicators to historical developments in teacher education and political shifts in how it is viewed. It examines the role of education in society and considers the power dynamics at play in determining what counts as quality in teacher education. 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; the different discourses of teacher quality that influence the pedagogy and structure of teacher education programs; and the challenges of addressing quality when it reaches conundrum proportions.

The author also provides practical guidance on how to navigate different approaches to quality and redress teacher education toward what truly matters, rather than what merely counts. By delving into these complex issues, the book aims to contribute to a more informed and transformative understanding of teacher education.

Weight: 148g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350285965