Understanding Teaching and Learning: Classroom Research Revisited

How do children, individually and collectively, make meanings of their learning experiences? • How can teachers become aware of children's meaning making on an ongoing basis? • Is it possible and useful to create an integrated theory of student learning? • How can classroom research enhance critical understandings of the situated nature of learning and teaching, while taking into account the systemic and educational policy contexts? • How do differences, such as class, race, culture, gender and sexualities, interact with student learning? • How can teachers respond effectively to the realities of today's diverse classrooms? • What are the current and emerging issues in classroom research? These are just some of the questions this book grapples with. It pays tribute to Professor Graham Nuthall's (1935-2004) research contributions - a pioneering and internationally renowned classroom researcher of teaching and learning from New Zealand. It has been written by emerging and experienced classroom researchers from several countries as part of a project aimed at building on and extending Nuthall's research and promoting the conducting, teaching and supervision of classroom research. The authors engage critically with theoretical, methodological and pedagogical possibilities of their research using Nuthall's work as a springboard. As a result, all authors make links between theory and practice. Further, several leading international researchers contribute comments on future directions for classroom research and its relevance for teaching and learning. Understanding teaching and Learning: Classroom Research Revisited would be of interest to practicing or prospective teachers and teacher educators, as well as scholars and students of teaching and learning.