Teacher Learning in a Community of Practice: A Case Study of ...

In deciding on a strategy that would most effectively address the data analysis and
presentation challenge, given the complexity ofthe Wenger framework, the work of
Graven (2002) proved to be invaluable. Following Graven (2002), an analysis is provided
in terms ofeach component separately, noting, however, that each component is
inextricably linked to every other component in a complex fashion (as reflected in
vignette ofJohn and the data analysis in this and the next chapter). This is therefore not
an attempt to disaggregate the complex phenomenon ofteacher learning but is rather a
considered strategy aimed at generating a feasible structure and a practical framework for
the analysis (ibid.).
This chapter has three main sections dedicated to establishing the nature ofteacher
learning in terms ofthe first three components respectively, namely, meaning,practice,
and identity. In each section, I explore and analyse the nature ofteacher learning in terms
ofa particular component by analysing evidence from narrative vignettes, quotations and
extracts ofthe data.
The fourth component oflearning, namely, community is discussed in Chapter Seven.
The structure ofthe chapter is as follows:
In Section One, the focus is on 'meaning' that is, 'learning as experience'. I illustrate
the changing 'experience' (changing ability) ofthe TEMS research participants with
regard to EMS and EMS teaching.
In Section Two, the focus is on 'practice' that is, 'learning as doing' and a discussion
ofshifts in teachers' practice is provided. This section focuses on teacher learning across
the participants. It explores how biographies, career trajectories and local school contexts
influenced the development ofteachers and their practice.
In Section Three, I examine teacher learning in terms of 'identity', that is, 'learning as
becoming'. I explore how teachers' changing participation and teacher learning shaped
and created personal histories of 'becoming' in the TEMS learning community
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