Teachers' Narrative Inquiry as Professional Development: Improving Teaching and Learning Through Reflective Practice

Introduction

In "Teachers' Narrative Inquiry as Professional Development," Karen Johnson argues that narrative inquiry is a powerful tool for professional development that can help teachers improve their teaching and learning. Through narrative inquiry, teachers can explore their own experiences and beliefs about teaching, and they can learn from the experiences of others. This process can help teachers to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their students, and it can lead to new insights and strategies for teaching.

What is Narrative Inquiry?

Narrative inquiry is a research method that involves collecting and analyzing stories. In the context of professional development, narrative inquiry can be used to help teachers explore their own experiences and beliefs about teaching, and to learn from the experiences of others.

Benefits of Narrative Inquiry for Professional Development

There are many benefits to using narrative inquiry for professional development. Some of the benefits include:

• Deeper understanding of self and students: Narrative inquiry can help teachers to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their students. By exploring their own experiences and beliefs about teaching, teachers can gain new insights into their own strengths and weaknesses, and they can learn more about the needs of their students.
• New insights and strategies for teaching: Narrative inquiry can lead to new insights and strategies for teaching. By learning from the experiences of others, teachers can discover new ways to engage students and promote learning.
• Improved teaching and learning: Narrative inquiry can help teachers to improve their teaching and learning. By reflecting on their own experiences and learning from the experiences of others, teachers can develop new strategies for teaching that are more effective and engaging.

How to Use Narrative Inquiry for Professional Development

There are many different ways to use narrative inquiry for professional development. Some of the most common methods include:

• Writing journals: Writing journals can be a helpful way for teachers to explore their own experiences and beliefs about teaching. By writing about their thoughts and feelings, teachers can gain new insights into their own practice.
• Interviewing colleagues: Interviewing colleagues can be a helpful way for teachers to learn from the experiences of others. By talking to other teachers, teachers can learn about different teaching strategies and approaches, and they can gain new insights into their own practice.
• Participating in professional learning communities: Participating in professional learning communities can be a helpful way for teachers to connect with other educators and learn from their experiences. By sharing their own stories and learning from the stories of others, teachers can develop new insights and strategies for teaching.

Conclusion

Narrative inquiry is a powerful tool for professional development that can help teachers improve their teaching and learning. By exploring their own experiences and beliefs about teaching, and by learning from the experiences of others, teachers can develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their students, and they can discover new insights and strategies for teaching.