The role of teachers as facilitators to develop empowering leadership and school communities supported by the method of cooperative learning

This research presents the results of a survey carried out in order to evaluate the impact of cooperative learning training delivered by CeSeDi (Centre of Didactic Services) over a ten-year period. CeSeDi is a public institution operating in the Turin district in the field of in-service teacher education. We collected data about the following dimensions: a) the role of individual and organizational factors in the process of training transfer; b) the impact of a group of teachers acting as coaches for the implementation of cooperative learning methods in different schools; c) the role of school networks in the improvement of teaching and learning quality; and d) the nature and dynamics of learning within a professional community composed of expert teachers. The data was analysed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The results of data analysis show the evolution of the teaching profile and time for professional development. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.