Newsletter | October 2023
Dear WALS Member,
Exciting plans are unfolding for the November 27-29 WALS Conference in Zwolle, Netherlands! In addition to powerful keynotes each day, we look forward to spotlight sessions every day, where you can hear about:
- Lesson Study in Initial Teacher Education, from authors of a new WALS-Routledge book
- How lesson study protects democracy and supports post-pandemic recovery, through its focus on listening and school vision
- Qualitative analysis of teachers’ talk during lesson study
- Findings from WALS early-career researchers
- The Teacher Leader as lesson study champion
- Highlights in Dutch/Flanders research
- Lesson study research in Kazakhstan
In addition, the new editors of the International Journal of Lesson and Learning Studies, Sharon Dotger and Sui Lin Goei, will conduct two sessions to hear from the WALS community and support successful submissions by WALS community members, including first-time authors. The two sessions are offered on
- Monday November 27, 14.00-15.30, and
- Wednesday November 29, 14.00-15.30.
Any WALS attendee who is interested in either of these activities is welcome to attend. Editors will highlight the required elements for a manuscript submission, summarize the review process, and answer questions from participants. In order to tailor sessions to the interests of attendees, the editors have set up a short google form of five questions: https://forms.gle/BLJLmgGMdYCMc5Qa7.
In addition to the 3-day conference, be sure to note two additional opportunities. The Ph.D./Early Career Researchers Day (November 26) provides a chance for graduate students and early career researchers to engage in presentations, workshops and networking with senior scholars; it is free after conference registration. School visits (November 30) will highlight Netherlands’ powerful systems of vocational education and training. Due to popular demand, new slots for the school visit to Kampus and conference dinner have recently been added.
And don’t forget to set aside time to explore the cultural and historical riches of Zwolle.
There are still places available for Sunday 26th November and Thursday 30th November to visit the estate ‘De Vlaminkchorst’ of Lesson Study NL founder Dr. Nellie Verhoef. See Activities In Zwolle – WALS 2023 (walsnet.org). If you want to book your place please email nellieverhoef@gmail.com.
For Tuesday 28th November, the discounted guided tours to Museum de Fundatie are fully booked, however you can still visit the museum De Fundatie for a special discounted price from 5 pm, and have a self-guided visit. Both the guided and self-guided visits occur just prior to the Conference Dinner, which starts at 7.30 pm (walk in from 7 pm). Look forward to seeing you!
Catherine Lewis,
President of WALS
