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Teachers need to learn from each other from "summary" of The Teaching Gap by James W. Stigler,James Hiebert
One key idea that emerges from our study is the importance of teachers learning from one another. We found that the most successful teaching practices were often hidden away in individual classrooms, known only to the teacher who had developed them. These teachers had often spent years refining their methods through trial and error, yet their expertise was rarely shared or recognized by their colleagues. In fact, we observed that teachers tended to work in isolation, with little opportunity to observe and learn from each other. This lack of interaction meant that innovative practices remained isolated, rather than spreading throughout the school. As a result, teachers were often left to reinvent the wheel, struggling to find effective strategies on their own. However, when teachers did have the chance to collaborate and share their experiences, the results were remarkable. We saw how teachers were able to draw on each other's expertise, learning from their successes and failures. This collaborative approach not only improved individual teaching practices but also had a ripple effect throughout the school, creating a culture of continuous improvement.- Schools can tap into a valuable resource that is often overlooked. When teachers have the chance to share their knowledge and experiences, they can collectively raise the bar for teaching excellence. This collaborative approach not only benefits teachers themselves but ultimately has a positive impact on student learning outcomes.
