Cristina Rodríguez-Robles, Lorena del Pino Rodriguez, Noemí Peña Trapero, María J. Serván-Núñez and Encarna Soto Gómez
To present a review of the current state of lesson study (LS) in initial teacher education (ITE) in Europe.
Abstract
Purpose
To present a review of the current state of lesson study (LS) in initial teacher education (ITE) in Europe.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic search, combined with heuristic and hermeneutic analysis, was conducted in both English and Spanish using indexed academic databases to collect research and experiences of LS in ITE across Europe. The core areas or analysis categories included sustainability, observation and tutoring, the connection between schools and universities, the value of pedagogical knowledge and LS models.
Findings
LS in ITE has seen significant growth in Europe since 2015, particularly in universities where it has established a strong presence. The variety of proposals reflects how institutions have adopted and expanded LS models, indicating a stronger connection between universities and schools. The sustainability of LS hinges on the efforts of a core teaching and research group that not only transforms teaching but also explores learning processes in LS. There is growing interest in improving observation strategies and incorporating pedagogical knowledge in LS, although more in-depth analyses of the learning and teaching processes from both perspectives are still needed.
Research limitations/implications
Searching for references in English and Spanish may limit the visibility of relevant research conducted in other languages and regions, potentially excluding important experiences from non-English or non-Spanish-speaking countries.
Originality/value
This work is the first review of literature on LS in ITE focused on Europe, engaging with and building upon the latest global reviews in ITE and LS while introducing new areas of contrast.
Details
Keywords
Encarna Soto Gómez, Maria J Serván Núñez and Angel I Pérez Gómez
The purpose of this paper is to present the possibilities offered by Lesson and Learning Studies (LLS) for training and for improving and generating knowledge by reconstructing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the possibilities offered by Lesson and Learning Studies (LLS) for training and for improving and generating knowledge by reconstructing the practical knowledge of teachers in university training through joint design, observation and reflection. In short, the research aims to show how merging LLS contributes to developing fundamental teaching skills in new, uncertain contexts and to recreating processes of research and analysis of complex situations from critical and creative perspectives by involving university teachers and student teachers in disciplined, informed reflection on their own practice through shared, narrative productions in a dual spiral which promotes the contrasting of experiences and perspectives in an ongoing manner.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study of own practice in a university master’s degree, the aim of which is to develop a training improvement process by following the stages of LLS.
Findings
The case study shows the need to reverse the theory-practice sequence and to increase the importance of experience, the relevance of tutoring in the role of teachers, and the significance of cooperation and contrast as learning strategies. The evidence presented shows that LLS can be an extremely useful resource and procedure to reconstruct practical knowledge, facilitating internal contrast between the different espoused theories of the members of the group of teachers, and also between their espoused theories and their practical knowledge, in other words their theories-in-use.
Originality/value
The paper explores the value of LLS to reconstruct the practical knowledge of university teachers.
Details
Keywords
Encarna Soto Gómez, María J. Serván Núñez, Angel I Pérez Gómez and Noemi Peña Trapero
The purpose of this paper is to show, from a theoretical point of view, the promising relationship between the processes generated by Lesson Studies (LS) and the development of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show, from a theoretical point of view, the promising relationship between the processes generated by Lesson Studies (LS) and the development of practical thinking in in-service teacher training, derived from two pieces of research.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors propose broadening the focus of LS in order to not only improve the “lesson” or “teaching” – in short, practice – but also to reconstruct and improve the practical knowledge of teachers. The core issue of the paper is the discussion about the relationship between the practical knowledge, the knowledge that every teacher uses in his or her daily practice, theories-in-use, mostly unconscious, and the conscious and explicit knowledge, practical thinking, explicit theory, they use to describe and justify their practice.
Findings
Knowing our practical knowledge intuitive Gestalt, and building a new conscious and informed way of thinking is not enough, we need to build through systematic new practice a new way of doing, a new way of perceiving, interpreting, taking decisions and acting, coherent with our new theories. LS reinforces these two complementary movements: the practical theorizing movement, the reflexion on action to discover the implicit believes, habits, attitudes and emotions underlying the practice, and the experimentation of the new theory to form the new habits, beliefs, attitudes and emotions that support the development of a new form of teaching. This second movement needs more time and adequate teaching context, confirming the long spiral cycle of LS.
Originality/value
With emphasis on the dialectical relationship between practical theorizing and the experimentation of theory, this paper could set out a new approach for LSs as a method of teacher training which can improve practice through the reconstruction of the practical thinking of those involved.
Details
Keywords
Encarna Soto Gómez, María J Serván Núñez and Rosa Caparros-Vida
The purpose of this paper is to incorporate Lesson Study (LS) from initial teacher training as a privileged area in which to accompany and tutor future teachers in the complex but…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to incorporate Lesson Study (LS) from initial teacher training as a privileged area in which to accompany and tutor future teachers in the complex but necessary scenario of reflective practice in cooperative processes.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents an innovative educational experience in the university context, incorporating Lesson Study as a strategy for research and improvement of teaching practice, and, in consequence, for students’ learning, in two key subjects in the syllabus: Practicum III and Degree Essay.
Findings
A process, positively reviewed by all agents involved, which has shown the need for the reconstruction of the practical knowledge of participating students.
Originality/value
This is the first experience in the Spanish university context where LS is introduced as one of the key areas of initial teacher training. The paper presents a work model which may inspire the introduction of Lesson Study as an initial training model during practical training.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this article is to explore lesson and learning study as a form of ongoing teacher training which allows teachers the opportunity to reconstruct their practical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to explore lesson and learning study as a form of ongoing teacher training which allows teachers the opportunity to reconstruct their practical thinking.
Design/methodology/approach
This document begins with a theoretical introduction in which the author explains the nature and dimensions of practical thinking, its importance for the professional development of teachers, followed by the lesson studies themselves, outlining the case of a teacher involved in a research group based on this type of ongoing training.
Findings
With the subtle differences and changes proposed for the Spanish context, lesson studies can be a valuable tool in terms of encouraging reflection and the critical questioning of personal values, beliefs and assumptions about teaching, whilst also enabling the reconstruction of teachers’ practical knowledge, in particular their hidden beliefs, habits and emotions.
Originality/value
This article offers a new approach for lesson studies as a method of training which can improve practice through the reconstruction of the practical thinking of those involved.