Reclaiming the Artistry of Teaching

There is an ongoing tendency in contemporary research, policy and practice to see the teacher as a technician who, with guidance from scientific evidence about ‘what works,’ can become increasingly more effective in bringing about measurable learning outcomes. This book not only shows why a technical understanding of teaching is problematic, but also explores in detail what can be gained from understanding teaching as a situated art that requires the purposeful combination of craft – teachers’ ‘know how’ – and wisdom – the ability to make meaningful judgements about what needs to be done in the always concrete and unique situation of the classroom.

The book asks what the artistry of teaching is, how it matters for teaching, what it looks like and feels like for both teachers and students, how the arts can help in deepening our understanding of teaching, who may benefit from the artistry of teaching, and what this means for becoming and being a teacher, individually and collectively. The book seeks to provide a meaningful alternative in contemporary discussions about teachers, teaching and the future of teacher education. In addition, the idea of artistry highlights the aesthetic qualities and dimensions of teaching and opens up new ways for understanding teacher formation and teacher development.

Gert Biesta is Emeritus Professor of Public Education in the Centre for Public Education and Pedagogy at the Maynooth University, Ireland, and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pedagogy, Religion and Social Studies at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway.

Ramsey Affifi is Lecturer in Education in the Moray House School of Education and Sport at the University of Edinburgh, UK.