Identifying and meeting the professional needs of teachers with living educational theory research [in press]

The purpose is to present a Living Educational Theory Research (LETR) approach to professional development to show how it is used by teachers to research their practice to understand and improve it. It includes the realization of the values-laden responsibilities of professional practitioners. Fulfilling this purpose involves the presentation of valid, evidence-based, values-laden, explanations for the educational influences of professional practitioners in their own learning, in the learning of others and in the learning of the social formations within which their practice is located, with values of human flourishing. Research- based evidence is drawn on to demonstrate how this approach helps educators in Europe, and worldwide, to identify and meet their professional needs, and help others do so too. Philosophical issues are focused on the epistemology of the claims to educational knowledge. This includes a process of validation for strengthen explanations of educational influences in learning. It also includes the generation of a shared ‘Collective Imaginary’ for a LETR approach to professional development.