Planning Effective Teacher Training by Understanding How Teachers Learn

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As teacher trainers, we play a vital role in shaping professional development that resonates with teachers’ classroom realities. The challenge lies in creating learning experiences that connect with their day-to-day practices and can be easily adapted to their unique contexts. But how can we ensure that what we offer genuinely meets teachers’ needs and helps them translate insights into effective classroom strategies?

This is a critical conversation, and it’s one we’re exploring at the European Schoolnet Academy Thematic Seminar 2025. If you’ve ever designed training that didn’t quite land the way you hoped, this event is all about turning those challenges into actionable solutions.

Here’s the thing:

Here’s the thing: teachers across Europe are juggling a lot: new technologies, diverse student needs, curriculum changes, and more. Yet, research shows that fewer than half of teachers find professional development activities helpful in improving their teaching. Why?

It often comes to this:

  • The training feels too general, disconnected from what they face in the classroom.
  • There’s little support to help them follow through on what they learn.
  • Their beliefs, local dynamics, and unique needs aren’t always considered.

Sound familiar?

This February, the European Schoolnet Academy is hosting two webinars designed to reshape how we think about professional development. Packed with insights and strategies, these sessions aim to empower teacher trainers to create impactful learning experiences that make a real difference.

Here’s what’s on offer:

Monday, 24 February 2025, 16:00–17:30 CET
Discover how our beliefs, habits, and experiences shape how we learn and grow. Led by Kay Livingston, Professor of Educational Research, Policy, and Practice at the University of Glasgow, this session will delve into the science of teacher learning and how we can use it to design effective professional development.

Tuesday, 25 February 2025, 16:00–17:30 CET
Join a panel of educators and researchers who’ve turned research insights into action. From practical strategies to real-world examples, this session offers ideas to apply to your training programmes.

Speakers: Kay Livingston- University of Glasgow, Kairit Tammets- Tallinn University, Maria Chiara Pettenati- Indire, Italy, Jo Tondeur- Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

This isn’t just another seminar. It’s an opportunity to rethink how we, as teacher educators, grow in our practice. You’ll gain fresh insights, connect with peers, and leave feeling inspired. Plus, a research-based report full of practical suggestions will be available for you to explore at your own pace.

Professional development should not feel like a box-ticking exercise. It should be transformational, helping teachers teach better, manage their workloads, and grow in confidence. It starts with asking the right questions and designing solutions that work for real teachers in real schools.

Meet our speakers

Kay Livingston

Kay Livingston is Professor of Educational Research, Policy and Practice at the School of Education, University of Glasgow. She has worked in the field of teacher education for 30 years.

She also worked in the policy context for 5 years as Director of International, Research and Innovation in Learning and Teaching Scotland/Education Scotland (Scottish Government Agency supporting quality and improvement in education). She works closely with and advises policymakers, teachers and key educational stakeholders at international, national and local levels. She was a member of the European Commission’s Education and Training Strategic Working Group on Schools and she continues to work as an expert on European Commission and European Schoolnet projects. She has been a Chair  and member of International Scientific Advisory Boards and Chair of an International Educational Sciences Evaluation Panel. She was a member of the Association for Teacher Education in Europe’s Administrative Council, Chair of their Research and Development Community on the Professional Development of Teachers and Editor of the European Journal of Teacher Education. Her areas of research expertise include: teacher education, professional development, leadership and mentoring; teacher and school leader career frameworks; innovation in teaching and learning; and digital literacies. She is a regular keynote speaker at international conferences and webinars and author of books, book chapters and journal articles. Recent book publications include: Livingston, K. O’Sullivan C. & Attard, K. (2024), Characterisitcs and Conditions for Innovative Teachers:International Perspectives and Ling, L. & Livingston, K. (2024) Universities in times of crisis and disruption: Dislocated Complexity.  Both published by Routledge.

Jo Tondeur

Jo Tondeur is Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. His research is situated within the field of instructional design, professional development and educational innovation.

Most of his research focuses on the integrated use of digital technologies in compulsory education and online and blended learning in Higher education

Kairit Tammets

Kairit Tammets is a Professor of Technology-Enhanced Learning at Tallinn University whose research focuses on teacher professional learning in technology-enhanced learning environments.

With extensive experience in designing and implementing professional development programs, Kairit Tammets specializes in fostering social learning practices to promote the adoption of innovative teaching methods.

As the Scientific Coordinator of the EU-funded EffecTive project, Kairit leads innovative research into how carefully designed training programs can enhance teachers’ situation-specific skills and pedagogical digital competence. Her work emphasizes the importance of scaffolding, reflection, and the situated nature of professional learning in professional learning settings. In addition to collaborating with schools and policymakers to shape sustainable professional learning models, Kairit is an experienced teacher trainer, guiding teachers, researchers, and trainers to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Kairit holds a PhD in Educational Science with a focus on technology-enhanced learning and has contributed to several European projects, publications, and conferences in the fields of education and technology.

Maria Chiara Pettenati

Maria Chiara Pettenati is a distinguished expert in teacher training and sustainability education. She leads national projects focused on supporting induction and continuous professional development of teachers across Italy.

Throughout her career, Maria Chiara has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing teacher education and promoting sustainable development principles in education. As Research Director at Indire, the National Institute for Documentation, Innovation, and Educational Research in Florence, she leads national projects focused on supporting induction and continuous professional development of teachers across Italy. Maria Chiara also serves as co-coordinator of the working groups for Goal 4 and Target 4.7 at ASviS (Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development), where she actively contributes to national strategies for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
https://www.indire.it/personale/maria-chiara-pettenati/

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