Teachers' Learning through networks

Networks provide ways of thinking about how teachers create and share knowledge about practice, at the core of experienced professionals’ learning. They have increasing importance as an element in public policy for improvement of education in schools, particularly in the UK. Using a variety of theories this paper presents concepts that provide insight into such networks, through data from maps of teachers’ networks. The analysis used network concepts to analyse these maps, showing how brokerage, and the informality and strength of links, are important in understanding the implications of networks for the school. The paper opens up insights into how teacher learning can be enhanced in new ways, with a real focus on the school as a workplace for teachers.