This collection focuses on the ways in which policy relating to professional development and professional learning in teacher education is changing across Europe. The chapters examine how policies change with time and with changes in personnel at various levels in the political or professional spectrum. It also highlights the continued diversity of the education systems of Europe, despite moves towards economic and social integration. A common theme running through the chapters is an understanding of the importance of professional development and professional learning of educators in the success and effective operation of the education systems of the countries concerned. This book was originally published as a special issue of Professional Development in Education.

This book presents critical perspectives on teacher professional learning and professional development as interpreted in 14 countries across Europe. Bringing together experts from across Europe, the book fulfils a need for a better understanding of the changing nature of teacher professional learning in national policy contexts and of the cultural differences existing between various systems. It discusses the new thinking that has emerged in the field of teacher education alongside new models that reflect the changing patterns and policies relating to the ways educational professionals maintain and enhance professional practice. The book highlights that new models of teacher leadership and practitioner inquiry have a strong focus on pedagogy and social justice. It also examines briefly the challenges brought about by the Covid pandemic and the ways in which new approaches to professional learning, specifically the use of new technologies, have begun to transform practice in some countries in Europe. The book gives insights into the ways in which professional learning policy is interpreted and applied in practice. It will be highly relevant for researchers and post-graduate students in the fields of teacher professional learning and development, school leadership, comparative education and educational policy and planning.

This unique book is an important source of information for all of those who educate future teachers and those who participate in teacher education as students, researchers, educators and policymakers. The volume also contributes to the international development of higher quality and research-led teacher education provision by providing clear evidence of policy impact. It draws on original research studies, conducted across eight countries in North America, Europe and Australia to analyse the impact of teacher education policy initiatives on ‘insiders’ in the fields, including education students, teacher educators and mentors in schools. In achieving this, the various chapters in the book analyse the commonalities and differentiations in the many policy reforms in teacher education currently being implemented by national governments. The book reveals some of the hidden consequences of these recent ‘reform’ efforts. It is also of use for leaders and policy makers in teacher education, providing them with insider perspectives from both theory and practice and making it possible for them to develop research-informed decisions that take into account the voices of insiders. Few texts have considered international policy trends alongside the impact they have had on significant stakeholder groups ‘inside’ teacher education. In redressing this omission, the book contributes to a better understanding of and improved practice of work in teacher education, both pre- and in-service.

Teachers, both in and beyond teacher education programmes, are continual learners. As society itself evolves, new settings and the challenges they provide require new learning. Teachers must continually adapt to new developments that affect their work, including alterations to qualification systems, new relationships with welfare professionals, and new technologies which are reconfiguring relationships with pupils. Cultural-Historical Perspectives on Teacher Education and Development is an international volume which clarifies the purpose of initial (pre-service) teacher education and continuing professional development, and the role of universities and higher education personnel in these processes. An edited collection of chapters by leading researchers from the UK, the US and Europe, it gains coherence from its theoretical orientation and substantive focus on teacher learning. This book: demonstrates the contribution of sociocultural and cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) towards our understandings of teacher learning offers a strong exemplification of a research focus on teachers as learners in specific sociocultural settings shows what teachers learn, how they learn and where they learn, using specific research examples, in the context of broader interests in the development of professional practice and professional education. As the only volume now available that applies CHAT principles to teacher education and learning, Cultural-Historical Perspectives on Teacher Education and Development will be highly useful for teachers and teacher educators undertaking postgraduate and doctoral studies, particularly in the area of professional learning and development. It will also be of relevance to the continuing development of teachers and other school-based professionals.

The aim of this book is to take a critical look at continuing professional development policy and practice from a broad European perspective, examining both values and paradigms. In turn, it is hoped this will highlight models and concepts and how these relate to cultural contexts, which will develop lessons to be learned. This issue is tackled from across professions and from several European countries. Not only has a generic European perspective been put forward, but so have perspectives from both northern and southern Europe with a touch of North America to add a little spice. This is an eclectic mix of views and standpoints which are inextricably linked by the editors’ and authors’ profound belief that only through continuing professional development can progress be achieved at both an individual and an organisational level. It is hoped this book will provide some answers, be informative and stimulate positive debate among both academics and practitioners.

What competences are needed in future by people working within adult and lifelong learning? What pathways of professionalisation are available to them in Europe and Asia? What are the actual effects of teacher training? What are the specific responsibilities of adult and continuing education teachers and trainers? This book focusses on the professional development of trainers and teachers in adult and lifelong learning and the state of the art of professional development in Asia, Europe, China and India.