This part recognizes the significance of the contribution we can make as professional teachers in FAVE, and introduces the activity of becoming a teacher.
In Chapter 1 we introduce ourselves and acknowledge the many factors that have influenced our decision to teach in FAVE. We discuss the characteristics, complexity and challenges of the sector. We offer an approach to understanding reflective practice, practitioner research and collaborative development. Chapter 2 offers ways of understanding ‘learning’ – which is the foundation of teacher judgement. After all, despite much complexity, learning is what it is all about! Chapter 3 introduces ideas about reflecting on our practices and why this is so important, while Chapter 4 provides an overview of ten principles of effective teaching and learning. These come from a major UK research and development programme and also draw on accumulated evidence from around the world. We signal underlying concepts that are more fully explored in the subsequent parts of this book.
