Teachers Talking About Teaching: An Informal Learning Experience

• In Event: Roundtable Session 22
  In Roundtable Session: Teachers’ Identities and Perspectives on Teaching

Abstract

Informal conversation about teaching is one of the ways teachers learn about teaching and gain practical knowledge. This study employs qualitative research methods adopting the approach of discourse analysis to investigate how an informal conversation initiates teacher learning. It presents an analysis of teacher learning that starts from a talk episode with a colleague. The findings highlight that through sharing their thoughts about the teaching process and reflecting upon their current practice teachers change their perceptions of their teaching and set goals for the future The results also emphasize the implications of teachers’ learning in informal settings through conversations with colleagues for their professional growth.

Authors

• Giancarlo Gola, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI)

• Elena Jurasaite-Harbison, International Baccalaureate