Teacher Strategies (RLE Edu L) Explorations in the Sociology of the School

This book takes as its focus the key interactionist concept of ‘strategy’, a concept fundamental to many current concerns in the sociology of the school, including the understanding of the links between society and the individual, a more accurate description of certain areas of school life and implications for the practice of teaching. ‘Strategy’ bears on all these issues. It concerns both goals, and ways of achieving them and short-term, immediate aims as well as long-term ones. The essays in this book share a common concern with teacher strategies, emphasizing the discovery of intentions and motives, alternative definitions of situations and the hidden rules that guide our behaviour. Amongst the areas investigated are the influence of factors outside the school in determining the role of the teacher, and the nature and influence of teacher commitment. The implications for practical action and policy making are stressed throughout, and by recognising and exploring the constraints and influences that operate on teachers, this work constructs a realistic appraisal of the teaching situation.

Acknowledgements. Introduction Peter Woods. 1. Strategies in Teaching and Learning Peter Woods. 2. Teacher Interests and Changing Situations of Survival Threat in Primary School Classrooms Andrew Pollard. 3. ‘Keeping ‘em Quiet’: The Significance of Noise for the Practical Activity of Teaching Martyn Denscombe 4. The Role of Humour in Teaching: Strategy and Self-Expression Robert A Stebbins. 5. Strategies and Structure: Some Critical Notes on Teacher Socialisation George Mardle and Michael Walker. 6. The Occupational Culture of Teachers David H Hargreaves. 7. Subject Disciplines as the Opportunity for Group Action: A Measured Critique of Subject Sub-Cultures Stephen J Ball and Colin Lacey. 8. Teachers’ Conceptions of Professionalism and Trades unionism: An Ideological Analysis Mark B Ginsburg, Robert J Meyenn and Henry D R Miller. 9. The Politics of Participation – with Specific Reference to Teacher-Pupil Relationships Colin Hunter. 10. Patterns of Power and Authority in Classroom Talk A D Edwards. 11. Technicians or Social Bandits? Some Moral and Political Issues in the Education of Teachers Anthony Hartnett and Michael Naish. Notes on contributors. Indices.