Review of the Literature

 
Teachers’ opportunities to learn
establish the basis of their practice
●
Teachers’ practices, as established by a variety of learning 
opportunities, are further shaped by 
mediating factors
at the 
school, classroom, and community levels:
Teacher characteristics 
▪
teachers’ initial preservice learning experiences 
▪
teachers’ ongoing learning opportunities 
▪
teachers’ understanding of reform ideas 
▪
teachers’ commitment to change 
▪
teachers’ effort to implement new methods
▪
teachers’ knowledge of subject matter 
▪
teachers’ motivation, morale, professional identity 
▪
teachers’ prior notions and experiences of teaching 
▪
teachers’ interest in children and in teaching 
▪
teacher’s professional identity
Enabling policies 
▪
widespread understanding and support of policies and reforms
▪
community involvement in determining education policy 
▪
provision of adequate resources for schools
▪
adequate teacher conditions of service, feedback, incentives
▪
relevance and clarity of the curriculum
▪
relevance of teaching methods prescribed by policy and applicability to the
curriculum, class size, age group, etc.
▪
relevance of examinations in examining what policies prescribe 
School characteristics 
▪
nature of school leadership and school governance 
▪
nature of school climate 
▪
supportive leadership and supervision 
▪
team work among teachers, communities of practice 
▪
physical condition of the school, class size
▪
availability of learning materials and other resources for teachers 
▪
nature of decision-making at the school level (participatory or top down)