- Table View
- List View
Teaching and Learning as a Pedagogic Pilgrimage: Cultivating Faith, Hope and Imagination (Routledge International Studies in the Philosophy of Education)
by Nuraan Davids Yusef WaghidTeaching and Learning as a Pedagogic Pilgrimage is premised on an argument that if higher education is to remain responsive to a public good, then teaching and learning must be in a perpetual state of reflection and change. It argues in defence of teaching and learning as constitutive of a pedagogic pilgrimage and draws on a range of scholars and theories to explore concepts such as transcendental journeys, belief, hope and imagination. The main objective of the book is to show how teaching and learning ought to be reconsidered in relation to that which lies beyond the parameters of the encounters, as well as that which is intrinsic to the encounters. This book gives shape to rituals and routines of engagement and debate, before extending the limitations in deliberative pedagogic encounters to offer desirable outcomes in which both student and teacher can practice a spiritual take on teaching and learning along a continuum of ongoing action. Themes explored in the chapters include the following: Faith and deliberative encounters Post-human ethics of care in teaching and learning Diffracted teaching and learning This book will be of great interest to academics, researchers and post-graduate students in the fields of philosophy of education, and teaching and learning in the philosophy of education. It will also appeal to school and university educators, policymakers and prospective teachers.
Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education
by Susan Zvacek Sharon E. Smaldino Michael R. SimonsonTeaching and Learning at a Distance is written for introductory distance education courses for preservice or in- service teachers, and for training programs that discuss teaching distant learners or managing distance education systems. This text provides readers with the basic information needed to be knowledgeable distance educators and leaders of distance education programs. The teacher or trainer who uses this book will be able to distinguish between appropriate uses of distance education. <p><p>In this text we take the following themes: The first theme is the definition of distance education. Before we started writing the first edition of Teaching and Learning at a Distance we carefully reviewed the literature to determine the definition that would be at the foundation of our writing. This definition is based on the work of Desmond Keegan, but is unique to this book. This definition of distance education has been adopted by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology and by the Encyclopedia Britannica. <p><p>The second theme of the book was the importance of research to the development of the contents of the book. The best practices presented in Teaching and Learning at a Distance are validated by scientific evidence. Certainly there are “rules of thumb”, but we have always attempted to only include recommendations that can be supported by research. <p><p>The third theme of Teaching and Learning at a Distance is derived from Richard Clark’s famous quote published in the Review of Educational Research that states that media are mere vehicles that do not directly influence achievement. Clark’s controversial work is discussed in the book, but is also fundamental to the book’s advocacy for distance education – in other words, we authors did not make the claim that education delivered at a distance was inherently better than other ways people learn. Distance delivered instruction is not a “magical” approach that makes learners achieve more. <p><p>The fourth theme of the book is equivalency theory. Here we presented the concept that instruction should be provided to learners that is equivalent rather than identical to what might be delivered in a traditional environment. Equivalency theory helps the instructional designer approach the development of instruction for each learner without attempting to duplicate what happens in a face to face classroom. <p><p>The final theme for Teaching and Learning at a Distance is the idea that the book should be comprehensive – that it should cover as much of the various ways instruction is made available to distant learners as is possible. It should be a single source of information about the field.
Teaching and Learning for Comprehensive Citizenship: Global Perspectives on Peace Education (Routledge Research in International and Comparative Education)
by Candice C. CarterUltimately concerned with how citizenship education for peace can be enriched through interdisciplinary learning, this edited volume reveals the role of peace education in global citizenship by illuminating instruction for comprehensive citizenship. A truly international collection, this volume offers timely insights from countries including Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Canada, Bangaldesh, Korea, Zimbabwe, and Timor Leste as it provides critical, in-depth analyses of peace-oriented instruction in formal and informal settings. The text illustrates how citizenship can be effectively developed on both a global and a local level, and discusses the practical learning opportunities that can enact change through schools, nongovernmental organizations, and community-wide civic actions with children, youth, adults, and families. This text will appeal to academics and researchers involved in the field of international and comparative education and will be of interest to educators and school leaders concerned with the role citizenship plays in the context of teaching and learning.
Teaching and Learning for Intercultural Understanding: Engaging Young Hearts and Minds
by Debra RaderTeaching and Learning for Intercultural Understanding is a comprehensive resource for educators in primary and early years classrooms. It provides teachers with a complete framework for developing intercultural understanding among pupils and includes practical and creative strategies and activities to stimulate discussion, awareness and comprehension of intercultural issues and ideas. Drawing on the most current research and work in the field of intercultural competence and existing models of intercultural understanding, this book explores topics such as: understanding culture and language the importance of personal and cultural identity engaging with difference cultivating positive attitudes and beliefs embedding awareness of local and global issues in students designing a classroom with intercultural understanding in mind. With detailed ready-to-use, enquiry-based lesson plans, which incorporate children's literature, talking points and media resources, this book encourages the practitioner to consider intercultural understanding as another lens through which to view the curriculum when creating and choosing learning materials and activities. Teaching and Learning for Intercultural Understanding sets out to help the reader engage young hearts and minds with global and local concepts in a way that is easily integrated into the life of all primary schools – from New York to New Delhi, from Birmingham to Bangkok.
Teaching and Learning for Social Justice and Equity in Higher Education: Co-curricular Environments
by Laura Parson C. Casey OzakiThis book is the third in a four volume series that focuses on research-based teaching and learning practices that promote social justice and equity in higher education. In this volume, we focus on the application of the scholarship of teaching and learning in higher education outside of the classroom to maximize the effectiveness of student affairs programming. Specifically, authors focus on the application of SoTL in higher education outside of the classroom (e.g., faculty development, leadership, student involvement, student affairs) in ways that promote greater equity and inclusion in higher education. Each chapter includes a description of how higher education may traditionally marginalize students from underrepresented groups, outlines a research-based plan to improve student experiences, and provides a program or activity plan to implement the recommendations from each chapter.
Teaching and Learning for Social Justice and Equity in Higher Education: Content Areas
by Laura Parson C. Casey OzakiThis book explores theory and best practices to improve teaching and learning to promote equity in the classroom in specific disciplinary areas including STEM, healthcare, and the humanities. Each chapter includes actionable pedagogical or curricular recommendations such as course assignments and lesson plans. This is the second of four edited volumes focusing on applications of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) for more equitable learning opportunities.
Teaching and Learning for Social Justice and Equity in Higher Education: Foundations
by Laura Parson C. Casey OzakiThis book is the first of three edited volumes designed to reconceptualize teaching and learning in higher education through a critical lens, with this inaugural publication focusing on the fundamentals behind the experience. Chapter authors explore recent research on the cognitive science behind teaching and learning, dispel myths on the process, and provide updates to the application of traditional learning theories within the modern, diverse university. Through reviews of fundamental theories of teaching and learning, together with specific classroom practices, this volume applies social justice principles that have been traditionally seen as belonging to K-12 or adult education to higher education.
Teaching and Learning for Social Justice and Equity in Higher Education: Virtual Settings
by Laura Parson C. Casey OzakiThis book focuses on research-based teaching and learning practices that promote social justice and equity in higher education. The fourth volume in a four-volume series, this book critically addresses virtual and remote classroom settings. Chapters explore contexts within and outside the classroom, including a history of online learning; research on student engagement and perceptions; specific, actionable pedagogical or curriculum recommendations; and the application of traditional learning theories in virtual settings. The volume also explores how online education, through a technopositivist lens, promotes and reinforces sexist, racist, and gendered behaviors, as well as the role of the "student as consumer," troubling education in virtual settings in a way that allows for deeper discussion about how to make virtual education emancipatory and empowering.
Teaching and Learning for the Twenty-First Century: Educational Goals, Policies, and Curricula from Six Nations
by Fernando M. Reimers and Connie K. ChungThis book describes how different nations have defined the core competencies and skills that young people will need in order to thrive in the twenty-first-century, and how those nations have fashioned educational policies and curricula meant to promote those skills. The book examines six countries—Chile, China, India, Mexico, Singapore, and the United States—exploring how each one defines, supports, and cultivates those competencies that students will need in order to succeed in the current century.Teaching and Learning for the Twenty-First Century appears at a time of heightened attention to comparative studies of national education systems, and to international student assessments such as those that have come out of PISA (the Program for International Student Assessment), led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. This book&’s crucial contribution to the burgeoning field of international education arises out of its special attention to first principles—and thus to first questions: As Reimers and Chung explain, &“much can be gained by an explicit investigation of the intended purposes of education, in what they attempt to teach students, and in the related questions of why those purposes and how they are achieved.&” These questions are crucial to education practice and reform at a time when educators (and the students they serve) face unique, pressing challenges. The book&’s detailed attention to such questions signals its indispensable value for policy makers, scholars, and education leaders today.
Teaching and Learning from Within: A Core Reflection Approach to Quality and Inspiration in Education
by Fred A. J. Korthagen Younghee M. Kim William L. GreeneTeaching and Learning from Within brings together theory, research, and practice on core reflection, an approach that focuses on people’s strengths as the springboard for personal growth and serves every human being involved in education–including students, teachers, school principals, and university faculty. This approach supports the essential role of authenticity in the development of the whole person. It has been used in contexts around the world and has shown great promise in helping to re-chart the course for education and to re-think its purpose in global and democratic societies. The book looks at the current educational context and the need for core reflection; introduces the theory and its linkages to previous studies in numerous disciplines; presents various applications in multinational research and practice—with teachers, with students and schools, and with teacher educators; and highlights ongoing work in around the world along with future plans, opportunities, and resources for professional development and research. .
Teaching and Learning in Art Education: Cultivating Students’ Potential from Pre-K through High School
by Debrah C. Sickler-VoigtIn this student-centered book, Debrah C. Sickler-Voigt provides proven tips and innovative methods for teaching, managing, and assessing all aspects of art instruction and student learning in today’s diversified educational settings, from pre-K through high school. Up-to-date with the current National Visual Arts Standards, this text offers best practices in art education, and explains current theories and assessment models for art instruction. Using examples of students’ visually stunning artworks to illustrate what children can achieve through quality art instruction and practical lesson planning, Teaching and Learning in Art Education explores essential and emerging topics such as: managing the classroom in art education; artistic development from early childhood through adolescence; catering towards learners with a diversity of abilities; integrating technology into the art field; and understanding drawing, painting, paper arts, sculpture, and textiles in context. Alongside a companion website offering Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, assessments, and tutorials to provide ready-to-use-resources for professors and students, this engaging text will assist teachers in challenging and inspiring students to think creatively, problem-solve, and develop relevant skills as lifelong learners in the art education sector.
Teaching and Learning in Counselor Education
by Javier Cavazos VelaThis practical guide is one of the first in the field to examine research-based teaching and learning strategies, promote positive and inclusive learning environments, and provide interactive features that allow readers to demonstrate and apply what they learn. Ideal for courses on teaching and pedagogy, and written for both counselor educators and their students, it provides a deep understanding of how learning works in order to improve teaching practices and create strong student learning outcomes. Skill-building chapters explore how to use dynamic lecturing, integrate collaborative team-based principles into teaching, enrich strategies for online learning, develop transparent assessment activities, document teaching effectiveness, practice effective gatekeeping, and engage in the scholarship of teaching and learning. Text features include content alignment with the CACREP Standards for teaching, a sample learner-centered syllabus, “pause and learns,” reflective activities, and application exercises. Javier Cavazos Vela, PhD, is associate dean for research and graduate programs at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. *Requests for digital versions from ACA can be found on www.wiley.com. *To request print copies, please visit the ACA website here *Reproduction requests for material from books published by ACA should be directed to permissions@counseling.org
Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classrooms: Faculty Reflections on their Experiences and Pedagogical Practices of Teaching Diverse Populations (RoutledgeFalmer Studies in Higher Education)
by Carmelita Rosie CastañedaThis study describes how faculty who participated in the Teaching and Learning in Diverse Classroom Faculty and TA Partnership Project (1994-2000) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, reflected on their experiences and pedagogical practices as instructors in diverse classrooms.
Teaching and Learning in Diverse and Inclusive Classrooms: Key issues for new teachers
by Felicity Armstrong Gill RichardsThis accessible text focuses on diversity in education and the inclusion of all children and young people in all aspects of the school or college community. It provides an introduction to policy, theory and practical strategies in relation to diversity in education for practitioners, researchers and policy makers. The fully revised and updated chapters discuss recent debates, research studies and current initiatives, particularly relating to teaching and learning, and conclude with key questions for student reflection. Topics include: Inclusive education ethnic and cultural diversity challenging behaviour bullying gender identity and sexuality Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children special educational needs listening to parents religious and cultural diversity disability and human rights children and young people who are refugees or seeking asylum Reflecting on legislative duties, personal values and the importance of listening to the voice of all learners, particularly those who may experience disadvantage or discrimination in educational settings, Teaching and Learning in Diverse and Inclusive Classrooms is a key resource for initial teacher training programmes and professional development courses.
Teaching and Learning in Ecosocial Work: Concepts, Methods and Practice
by Catherine Forde Satu Ranta-Tyrkkö Pieter Lievens Komalsingh Rambaree Helena Belchior-RochaThis book aims to champion teaching and learning of ecosocial work in educational institutions which offer social work and related programmes. It is the first book to focus specifically on teaching and learning in ecosocial work and one of the first to incorporate student perspectives on and initiatives in ecosocial work teaching, learning and practice. Ecosocial work is an evolving framework to learn about and practice social work from the premise that humans are part of the web of life on Earth. While this understanding should guide human activities, current planetary-scale anthropogenic socio-environmental problems such as the climate crisis, ocean acidification, biodiversity and species loss, prove the opposite. Social work and allied professions stem from the same anthropocentric world view and need to reconfigure their relationship to other-than-humans and the planetary limits of existence. This requires in-depth renewal of social work and related professions and an ecosocial/ecological paradigm change in which education is pivotal. Written by academics, students and practitioners working in different parts of the world and offering interdisciplinary perspectives, the book provides: Chapters and case studies on concepts, methods, and experiences of teaching and learning in ecosocial work. Discussion of the current terrain of ecosocial work in principle and practice. Ideas on the kinds of new thinking ecosocial work requires and on how these can be taught and practiced, promoting economic, social and environmental sustainability. This book makes an original and internationally acclaimed contribution to ecosocial work education. As the conduit for preparing social workers to become active agents of ecosocial change, critical attention is given to the importance of education as foundational to this professional endeavour. This book provides essential reading for all social work professionals, scholars, educators, and learning institutions. Heather Boetto, Associate Professor, Charles Stuart University, Australia. A comprehensive book about the challenges and opportunities of teaching the ecosocial framework in social work. Various perspectives open up new possibilities for understanding the practices of teaching ecosocial work in different contexts. A strong reading recommendation for anyone interested in understanding and teaching the relationship between social work and environmental issues. Kati Närhi, Professor, University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
Teaching and Learning in English Medium Instruction: An Introduction
by Jack C. Richards Jack PunTeaching and Learning in English Medium Instruction provides an overview of the nature of English Medium Instruction (EMI) in both secondary and tertiary education. The book explores the nature of academic literacy in EMI the ways in which EMI is implemented in different contexts issues related to teaching and learning through the medium of English teaching challenges and coping strategies used by EMI teachers support for EMI through EAP the professional development needs of EMI teachers approaches to the evaluation of EMI programs. The book contains a number of short chapters written in an accessible style with discussion questions and practical follow-up tasks. Throughout the book, key theory and research serve to introduce the core issues involved in EMI, which are then explored in terms of implications for practice. The book can be used in workshops and courses and for groups that include EMI teachers of content subjects, EAP teachers, TESOL students, and teachers and education officials involved with the implementation of EMI in different contexts. With the expansion of EMI worldwide in recent years the book seeks to introduce EMI to a new generation of EMI teachers and language teaching professionals.
Teaching and Learning in Further Education: Diversity and change
by Lorna Unwin Prue HuddlestonTeaching and Learning in Further Education is established as an authoritative, wide-ranging introductory text for those training to work in the further education, post-compulsory education and lifelong learning sectors. It offers an easy to read picture of the practitioner’s everyday working life, a thorough historical account of the FE context and excellent advice on how to improve practice and enhance professional development. Essential topics covered include: Key theorists Teaching strategies Assessment issues The diverse curriculum The nature of the student body Blended learning and virtual learning E-assessment and personal records of achievement The fourth edition will be significantly updated in light of the latest research into teaching and learning, as well as extensive changes in the field including: Revision to the professional standards for teachers, tutors and trainers in the lifelong learning sector; increased provision of HE in FE; the introduction of functional skills and the 14-19 Diploma and the shifting nature of vocational qualifications. Illustrated throughout by case studies and vignettes, and supported by reflective actitities and references to well respected research and literature, Teaching and Learning in Further Education is an essential text to be used throughout an FE tutor’s journey from trainee to qualified lecturer.
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in India and Australia
by James Arvanitakis Sudhanshu Bhushan Nayantara Pothen Aarti SrivastavaThis book presents insights into the current state of higher education, emerging pedagogies and innovative technology-driven learning techniques in research and teaching. Focussing specifically on the higher education models in India and Australia, the volume explores concerns and policy interventions that will help promote research capability and culture. Globalisation, rise of information technology and the massification of education has shifted the foundations of higher education and universities in the world. This volume examines the best support structures that will allow educators to face the challenge of the increasingly diverse community of learners and teachers entering higher education; their varied levels of aspirations and expectations; the influence of technology in pedagogical practices; and the shrinking funds for teaching and research. By using case studies from India and Australia the book also looks at the benefits of cross-cultural collaborations in research and education. Comprehensive and resourceful, this volume will be useful for academics and scholars of education, higher education and research, sociology, public policy, development studies and for NGOs and think tanks working in these areas.
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Disciplinary Approaches to Educational Enquiry
by Elizabeth Cleaver Maxine Lintern Mike MclindenIn today's higher education climate academic staff are encouraged to focus not only on the up-to-date content of their teaching, but also to identify the most effective ways to engage students in learning, often alongside other key transferrable skills. This had led to a growing requirement for staff to adopt a scholarly approach to learning and teaching practice, and to undertake scholarship of learning and teaching as part of ongoing professional development. This text explores broad best practice approaches to undertaking enquiry into learning and teaching in higher education. It provides an introduction for staff who have been educated within a range of academic disciplines, often with high-level but very focused knowledge about, and understandings of, research processes to the potentially new world of educational enquiry. This is complemented by chapters exploring what educational enquiry means in the context of different academic disciplines, including physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, the life sciences, the arts, the humanities, the health professions, and law. It also includes: An overview of research methodology including data collection, literature reviews, good ethical practice, and research dissemination Case studies of actual research projects to support understanding of how to carry out educational enquiry in practice.
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Disciplinary Approaches to Educational Enquiry
by Elizabeth Cleaver Maxine Lintern Mike McLindenThis book explores best practice approaches to undertaking enquiry into learning and teaching in higher education for staff from all academic disciplines. A general introduction to the methods most commonly used in undertaking enquiry in the field of education is complemented by chapters exploring how research methods from a range of disciplinary areas can be adapted and used for educational enquiry. New to this second edition: · Chapters on interdisciplinary educational enquiry in geography and using ethnographic methods for educational enquiry · New case studies and suggested activities · A reflective final chapter inviting readers and their institutions to develop and promote an organisational culture founded on critical enquiry This is essential reading for anyone undertaking HE qualifications in learning and teaching (including PGCTLHE and PGCAP) and for academics wishing to apply their skills of research and enquiry to their learning and teaching practice.
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Disciplinary Approaches to Educational Enquiry
by Elizabeth Cleaver Maxine Lintern Mike McLindenThis book explores best practice approaches to undertaking enquiry into learning and teaching in higher education for staff from all academic disciplines. A general introduction to the methods most commonly used in undertaking enquiry in the field of education is complemented by chapters exploring how research methods from a range of disciplinary areas can be adapted and used for educational enquiry. New to this second edition: · Chapters on interdisciplinary educational enquiry in geography and using ethnographic methods for educational enquiry · New case studies and suggested activities · A reflective final chapter inviting readers and their institutions to develop and promote an organisational culture founded on critical enquiry This is essential reading for anyone undertaking HE qualifications in learning and teaching (including PGCTLHE and PGCAP) and for academics wishing to apply their skills of research and enquiry to their learning and teaching practice.
Teaching and Learning in History
by Ola HalldenResearch on history instruction and learning is emerging as an exciting new field of inquiry. The editors prepared this volume because the field is at an important moment in its development -- a stage where there is research of sufficient depth and breadth to warrant a collection of representative pieces. The field of research on history teaching and learning connects with both traditional research on social studies and with recent cognitive analyses of domains such as mathematics and physics. However, the newer research goes beyond these activities as well. Where traditional research approaches to social studies instruction and learning have focused on curriculum, they have avoided the study of purely disciplinary features, the textual components of history and the concomitant demands, as well as the nature of various learners. Where recent cognitive analyses of mathematics and physics have dealt with misconceptions and knowledge construction, they have avoided topics such as perspective-taking, interpretation, and rhetorical layerings. The new work, by contrast, has been concerned with these issues as well as the careful analyses of the nature of historical tasks and the nature of disciplinary and instructional explanations. The lines of research presented in these chapters are both compelling and diverse and include a range of topical questions such as: * What affects the quality of teaching? * How are historical documents interpreted in the writing of history? * How is history explained? * What are the classroom demands on an elementary school social studies teacher? * What does text accomplish or fail to accomplish in educational settings? * How do teachers think about particular topics for history teaching? Although much of the research reflects a grounding in, or the influence of, cognitive psychology, not all of it derives from that tradition. Traditions of rhetoric, curriculum analysis, and developmental psychology are also woven throughout the chapters. The editors envision this volume as a contribution to educational research in a subject matter, and as a tool for practitioners concerned with the improvement of instruction in history. They also anticipate that it will contribute to cognitive science.
Teaching and Learning in Information Retrieval
by Andrew Macfarlane Juan F. Huete Juan M. Fernández-Luna Efthimis EfthimiadisInformation Retrieval has become a very active research field in the 21st century. Many from academia and industry present their innovations in the field in a wide variety of conferences and journals. Companies transfer this new knowledge directly to the general public via services such as web search engines in order to improve their information seeking experience. In parallel, teaching IR is turning into an important aspect of IR generally, not only because it is necessary to impart effective search techniques to make the most of the IR tools available, but also because we must provide a good foundation for those students who will become the driving force of future IR technologies. There are very few resources for teaching and learning in IR, the major problem which this book is designed to solve. The objective is to provide ideas and practical experience of teaching and learning IR, for those whose job requires them to teach in one form or another, and where delivering IR courses is a major part of their working lives. In this context of providing a higher profile for teaching and learning as applied to IR, the co-editor of this book, Efthimis Efthimiathis, had maintained a leading role in teaching and learning within the domain of IR for a number of years. This book represents a posthumous example of his efforts in the area, as he passed away in April 2011. This book, his book, is dedicated to his memory.
Teaching and Learning in International Schools: Lessons from Primary Practice
by Anssi Roiha Eryn WisemanAn essential guide to teaching and learning in international schools for pre- and in-service educators around the world.With more and more teachers working in international schools, this book provides a practical and accessible examination of effective pedagogy in this specific context. Using case studies that can be applied in a range of settings, it explores key areas of classroom practice such as collaboration and student agency, along with emergent approaches such as play-based, concept-based and enquiry-based teaching and learning. In addition, it gazes towards students’ future needs, exploring themes such as new literacies and intercultural competence. “The thoughtful questions posed throughout the text have the potential to guide some important conversations and prompt positive, professional growth.” Kath Murdoch, Seastar Education Consulting.“This is a text that is much needed in national and international education.” Malcolm Nicolson, Director Erimus Education.“Modelling the power and value of collaboration, a cohort of very accomplished educators with international experience have united to share numerous practical examples to support effective teaching and learning. Dr Jennifer Chang Wathall, independent education consultant....connects readers to new or different researchers beyond what is shared in IB publications, therefore widening the research base and highlighting new strategies to help educators keen to innovate in their practice.” Sandy Paton, PYP Educator and independent consultant.
Teaching and Learning in Lower Secondary Schools in the Era of PISA and TIMSS
by Kirsti Klette Ole K. Bergem Astrid RoeThis book explores teaching and learning in lower secondary classrooms in the three PISA domains science, mathematics and reading. Based on extensive video documentation from science, math and reading classrooms in Norwegian secondary schooling, it analyzes how offered and experienced teaching and learning opportunities in these three subject areas support students' learning. The in-depth investigations of video documentation are combined with analysis of the Norwegian PISA results in order to understand how teaching and learning in science, mathematics and reading can be improved. Recent reviews indicate that instructional practice does make a difference to students learning - and is more important than other factors including students' socioeconomic background, class size, classroom climate, and teachers' experience and formal training. This book opens the discussion on a European basis about contemporary challenges in teaching and learning in secondary schooling. Norway as a test bed is particularly interesting due to its long tradition with national curricula, and its unitary and non- streamed structure. Furthermore, ideas of educational progressivism and students' active ways of working (such as individualized teaching, adapted teaching, inquiry based teaching etc. ) have for a long time been actively promoted within Norwegian educational policies. The book draws on analyses that combine expertise in psychometrics and video-based micro genetic classroom studies with expertise in domain-specific instruction (math, science and reading). It feeds the conversation how issues of communication patterns are dealt with and made productive within different instructional formats, and presents possibilities to compare and analyze instructional formats and discursive practices for students' learning.