Richards (in Gebhard and Oprandy, 1999: xi) recently wrote: 'Teaching involves both thought and action, and the interaction between the two forms the focus of recent approaches to teacher development.' In this module I have attempted to explain the nature of this thought-action relationship, and how it is influenced by an individual's perceptions of external, contextual factors, both social and physical. I hope that reading this material and completing some of the activities and projects has challenged your conceptions, or schema, of what happens when a teacher learns - whether through a formal training programme or informal, self-directed development - and why you teach the way you do. I also hope it has given you a few practical ideas as to how we can all - trainers, experienced teachers and novices alike - push forward our continuous professional development by exploring what it is 'inside our heads' that drives the way we teach.

A final word from Angela: see video clip 'Reflection'.