Teachers’ judgement, learning materials and curriculum: Navigating in a changing educational landscape

Abstract

Teachers’ choices of learning materials are made under conditions of a changing educational landscape. This small-scale qualitative study investigates how teachers reflect on their choice and use of learning materials in light of changes in the curriculum in Norway and the development of digital and analogue learning materials. It is based on focus group interviews with two groups of experienced teachers. The focus is on the subjects L1 (Norwegian), English and social studies. Our hypothesis is that there is often a tension between the teachers’ professional judgement, the demands of the curriculum, and the available learning materials. The analysis of the interviews shows that the changes in the Norwegian curriculum pose challenges for the teachers, but also that the interviewed teachers are ready for these challenges. With the development of digital learning materials, the teachers do not see the analogue textbook as obsolete, but they have an intention to be able to combine analogue and digital learning materials. The study shows the need for supporting the teachers’ professional judgement in light of the changes in the curriculum and the development of learning materials, both digital and analogue.