# Commentary

We have already mentioned that teachers, like other professionals, are expected to keep up to date with new ideas. For many of you, the content you are teaching will change over time. This is especially true, for example, of topics in Science. But other subjects are also subject to change. The teaching of History in secondary schools may develop as a consequence of syllabus reform. New discoveries by historians or archaeologists might change the way some historical topics are taught.

New ideas about teaching methods are also bound to appear during your teaching career. In recent years, developments in technology have had a major impact on all aspects of our lives. Many schools are using new forms of communication technologies in the curriculum. Even where technological resources are limited, teachers need to be preparing to use them when they become available.

However, teaching methods are about more than just technologies. In recent years, we have become more aware that certain teaching approaches lead to more successful learning. We increasingly see the need for students to learn actively, for example in verbalising their learning. The Toolkit gives attention to how pair work in the classroom can promote this. It also emphasises the way more traditional teaching strategies can be made more effective, such as the careful use of questioning and explaining.

It is also important to recognise that the expectations of teachers change. There is increasing attention, in all parts of the world, on improving the achievements of students and the school as a whole. This involves teachers thinking more explicitly about how well their students are doing, and the sort of data they might need to collect to help in this process. Many students come to school with disadvantages that education needs to help overcome. Our understanding of how we help students like these evolves and changes over time. Teachers need the skills to monitor and support such students.

There are not many, if any, opportunities for teachers to go away from school to further their professional development. The school, therefore, including all your colleagues, becomes the most important place to improve your teaching.

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