What is A Narrative

The authors of this chapter explore how educators learn through teaching based on a transformative learning theoretical framework and a narrative analysis of teaching stories and teaching journals. They selected segments from teaching journals and recorded oral stories or stories exchanged in letters and e-mails and analyzed them to look for transformative learning about teaching. Four interrelated themes emerged: becoming aware of meaning perspectives about teaching, both those that are ideal and those that act as obstacles in practice; learning to make judgments and decisions; developing relationships with students; and using power. These themes are described and illustrated with data from the narratives.