scholarly journals Learnings from the Adult Religious Education and Faith Development (AREFD) project for initial teacher education of religious educators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette Sweetman
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Religious Education ◽  
Faith Development ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Religious Educators ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Republic

AbstractSince October 2018, researchers at the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education at Dublin City University have been engaged in the Adult Religious Education and Faith Development (AREFD) project. The overarching aim of the project was to facilitate a re-energising of adult religious education and faith development in Ireland. Working amongst local faith communities with an academic research focus, an area of interest that has emerged is how the insights gained from AREFD project can contribute to initial teacher education, particularly involving students preparing for employment as post-primary religious educators. This paper will outline some of the key themes that emerged from the data gathered in phase two of the AREFD project as it pertains to the initial teacher education (ITE) of religious educators. In phase two, a total of fourteen semi-structured interviews/focus groups were conducted between December 2019 and April 2021, featuring twenty-two people from across the island of Ireland who have a wealth of experience in AREFD across diverse contexts. The purpose of these interviews was to gather together the rich insights from the depth of experience of the interviewees on practicalities and possibilities central to adult religious education. The contexts in which they have worked are all pertinent to both the post-primary Religious Education curriculum in the Republic of Ireland and wider related learning experiences, in Ireland and beyond. Four key findings from this phase of the AREFD project are reported upon in this paper: the specific realm of AREFD as distinct from school-based religious education and catechesis; the need for intentional investment in AREFD; the physicality of religion; collaboration, communication and connection. These findings may contribute to the reflections of and course development by initial teacher education providers as they seek to offer the highest quality opportunities to their students, in the understanding that their students are adults themselves and that education is a lifelong endeavour.

scholarly journals Reimagining Adult Religious Education and Faith Development in a Detraditionalised Ireland

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 963
Author(s):  
Bernadette Sweetman
Keyword(s):  
Religious Education ◽  
Faith Development ◽  
Church Attendance ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Church Culture ◽  
Current State ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Republic

The culture of provision of adult religious education and faith development, whereby talks or courses are made available at parish level and/or in formal educational settings, has undoubtedly dominated the Irish scene for many years. The low level of uptake of such opportunities or long-term engagement, however, coupled with the recognised decrease in regular church attendance would suggest that this culture of provision does not meet the needs of the adult population. This mismatch was a key driving force behind the inception of the Adult Religious Education and Faith Development (AREFD) project. Cognisant of cultural and societal changes, a core aim of the project was to assess this traditional culture of provision within a detraditionalised context. The present study is based on data gathered in phase two of the AREFD project consisting of fourteen semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted between December 2019 and April 2021. The participants were involved for a number of years in adult religious education and faith development in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and across a variety of settings. The purpose of these interviews was to gather together the rich insights from the wealth of experience of the interviewees on the practicalities and possibilities central to adult religious education. The findings affirm dissatisfaction amongst participants with the current state of AREFD in Ireland, but indicate that there is hope for the future. Fresh and innovative engagement with adults is called for. This paper outlines key themes emerging from the data which contribute to the conversation of how innovative engagement with adults can revitalise church culture in Ireland.

Enterprise education: pre-service further education teachers' impressions and aspirations

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Tiernan ◽  
Jane O’Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Data ◽  
Enterprise Education ◽  
The Future ◽  
Constant Comparative Analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the attitudes and impressions of pre-service Further Education teachers towards enterprise education. It also looks at the potential impact on their future teaching practices and aspirations. This study builds on the literature in this area by bringing a teacher education focus and by providing views from the underserved further education sector.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was used to evaluate pre-service further education teachers' understanding of and attitudes towards, enterprise education. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 students in their final year of an initial teacher education degree.FindingsFindings emerged through constant comparative analysis of interview transcripts. These findings indicate that exposure to enterprise education greatly increased understanding of its importance and relevance, while also encouraging pre-service further education teachers to recognise the benefits of incorporating enterprise education into their classrooms of the future.Originality/valueWhile there is an array of literature on entrepreneurship and enterprise education outside of business contents, very few studies exist, which examine enterprise education in an initial teacher education context. Fewer still examine enterprise education from the perspective of further education. This study provides a unique qualitative view of pre-service further education teachers' impressions of enterprise education and their aspirations for the future.

scholarly journals Newly Qualified Female Teachers’ Perception of Teaching Practicum as a Component of Initial Teacher Education in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-69
Author(s):  
Charmaine Helena Iwu
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Novice Teachers ◽  
Prospective Teachers ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Teaching Practicum ◽  
Female Teachers

This study was undertaken with the aim of understanding how newly qualified female teachers perceive teaching practicum in the South African context. Teaching Practicum is a vital component of the initial teacher education (ITE) programme because it enriches future teachers’ knowledge, skills and abilities towards a lifelong career in the teaching profession. Teachers make valuable contributions to the growth of any nation as they help produce future leaders. It is therefore necessary to have a competent teaching workforce to improve pass rates as well as reduce dropout rates among learners. The study took the qualitative deductive premise making use of semi-structured interviews to collect data from more than 30 novice teachers. Key words, which helped in the identification of themes, were distilled from the responses. A core overall finding of the study point to a mix of experiences - benefits and shortcomings - which not only affect the development of prospective teachers but also have profound implications for both policy enhancement and implementation. Regarding policy enhancement and implementation, it is suggested that universities and schools where novice teachers are posted for teaching practice should have good relations for support advancements. In this case, it is advised that the novice teachers should be exposed to critical mentoring opportunities to allow for clearer understanding of the real classroom scope. This study believes that for this to be fruitful, schools should among others be well-equipped. Suggestions for further research are also flagged. .   

scholarly journals The Teacher's Mentoring Role and the Reflexive Teacher Formation during Supervised Internships in the Science Education Area

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 174-191
Author(s):  
Maisa Helena Altarugio ◽  
Samuel De Souza Neto
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Science Education ◽  
The Other ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Critical Function ◽  
Teacher Mentors ◽  
Teacher Formation ◽  
University Professor ◽  
Professional Contexts

In the initial teacher education scenario, the supervised internships are considered as privileged spaces for the teacher’s professional development, while a reflexive practice is one of the paradigms that guide this formation. Hence, a significant part of the formation of a future professional lies on the university professor who takes the responsibility for the orientation of these practices. In this context, this study has the objective to identify and analyze how professors at the beginning of their career paths, who have just taken the role of supervising the practices, conceive and deal with their mentoring role and with the function of orienting reflexive practices in the education of trainee teachers. Eight professors from different teacher training courses in the Science Education area at a public federal university in Brazil have participated in this case study, where semi-structured interviews and content analysis were used as the main techniques. The results have suggested that, for one group of these professors, the reflection would have a transformative and critical function over their practices and their professional contexts. On the other hand, for the other group, the teacher’s mentoring role seemed to present a more pragmatic preoccupation, as well as the function and the way to conduct this reflection. While they are moving towards accomplishing their role as teacher mentors, other factors also show some influence in building their identities. Regarding the field of teacher education and the professionalization of education, this study has pointed out to some paths towards which it is possible and necessary to advance and it may contribute to leave teaching from a critical and reflexive orientation as a heritage for the next generations.

scholarly journals Kinship and collegiality

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-379
Author(s):  
David Littlefair ◽  
Joanne Clifford Swan ◽  
Karen Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
University Education ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Education Department ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Partnerships ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
The University

Purpose External partnerships are crucial to the functioning of a university education department. The purpose of this paper is to explore the underpinning characteristics of such partnerships. It examines different types of partnerships from those in initial teacher education, to continuing professional development to international. Evidence-based data are gathered from both external partners and university staff who deal with partnership. Softer skills and intellectual kingship are identified as the fundamental drivers of partnership and the subsequent implications for universities are examined. Design/methodology/approach In order to explore the nature of these partnerships, a qualitative approach was essential as the focus was in the motives and perspectives of the authors’ partners, the authors’ colleagues and the university as a corporate entity. To this end, questionnaires were designed for use with a broad range of teacher education partners. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with university-based colleagues involved in a range of these partnership activities. Findings The institutional reputation on its own does not appear to be the main driver for partnership and as such, the partner bases their decisions and judgements upon the relationship and discussions with the link person they deal with. In turn, those key actors in the university education department also see the wider university as an inhibitor and constraint upon partnership but maintain their relationships by drawing on autonomous forms of professionalism. Thus, intellectual kinship, collegiality and common goals may be argued as key to generating successful external relationships. Practical implications It is important to note that a business relationship which relies on an individual is fragile; people move, become ill and change roles. Clear strategies are essential for succession planning across all such partnerships in an institution, if they are to avoid the potential financial and reputational repercussions arising from unplanned change. Originality/value This study highlights the significance of effective communication between the department establishing the partnership and those responsible for broader managerial and administrative systems in the institution, as well as the potential importance of shared values across departments in respect of supporting and maintaining international partnerships. Further, institutions should recognise the fundamental importance of the link person, in terms of the boundary-spanning nature of the role, the importance to that role of intellectual kinship and the potential this has for the development of new or expanded relationships.

scholarly journals Associate teachers' learning networks: a figurational analysis of initial teacher education

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-218
Author(s):  
Luke Jones ◽  
Steven Tones ◽  
Gethin Foulkes
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Learning Networks ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Mentor Training ◽  
Innovative Teaching ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adequate Understanding ◽  
One Year ◽  
Interdependent Relationships

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to use the lens of figurational sociology to analyse the learning networks of physical education (PE) associate teachers (ATs) in England. More specifically, it aims to develop a more adequate understanding of who is involved in the learning networks and how they influence ATs during their one-year postgraduate initial teacher education (ITE) programme.Design/methodology/approachA total of 35 ATs within a university ITE partnership took part in the study during the final phase of their postgraduate programme. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to examine the nature and impact of the interdependent relationships that they had developed with other individuals and groups. A process of content analysis was used to identify and analyse patterns in the data.FindingsMentors have the most influence over ATs. They support the inclusion of the ATs within the PE department, but elements of the mentors' role are contradictory and can unintentionally hinder the ATs' teaching. Mentors, teachers and tutors also share a common social habitus that ensures a degree of conformity within the PE community. New experiences tend to reinforce ATs' existing beliefs about the nature and practice of teaching PE.Practical implicationsThese findings have implications for providers of ITE in deciding who is involved in mentor training and how it is approached. If ATs are to be introduced to more innovative teaching approaches that promote change, then tutors need to collaborate with mentors and teachers to develop awareness of their often-unplanned influence.Originality/valueApplying the distinctive, and more generally sociological, concepts that make up the figurational perspective helped to develop a more adequate understanding of the ATs' learning networks. It provided an insight into the changing relationships that ATs have with their mentors and other individuals who work within the school and university context.

Reconstructing a supervisory identity

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Amaral-da-Cunha ◽  
Paula Batista ◽  
Ann MacPhail ◽  
Amândio Graça
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Initial Teacher Education ◽  
Cooperating Teacher ◽  
Legitimate Peripheral Participation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Teaching Perspectives ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Mentoring Practices

Cooperating teachers’ teaching perspectives and participation in initial teacher education have been frequently considered as ways to understand teachers’ learning trajectories and professional identity at workplace settings (Clarke and Jarvis-Selinger, 2005; Clarke et al.2014; Lave and Wenger, 1991). A case study approach was employed to examine the challenging supervisory experiences of a highly experienced physical education cooperating teacher that led to the reconstruction of her professional identity. Data were collected throughout a one-year school placement and included three semi-structured interviews with the cooperating teacher and the cooperating teacher’s daily journals entries. Analysis was informed by grounded theory coding procedures. Themes included: (i) the challenge of changing entrenched teaching and mentoring practices to connect with pre-service teachers; (ii) reconfiguring mentorship to expand pre-service teachers’ limited teaching ideias and range of teaching tools; and (iii) the possibility of practicing different mentoring strategies for different ‘types’ of pre-service teachers. We infer that contextual factors and teaching perspectives play a role in the cooperating teacher’s legitimate peripheral participation in teacher education and constitutes elements of her professional identity development.

scholarly journals Concept of Educational Values for Tauhid Nation Education System Perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Nur Hadi
Keyword(s):  
Religious Education ◽  
Education System ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
System Perspective ◽  
National Education ◽  
Religious Educators ◽  
National Education System ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Right

This study aims to 1) know the values ​​of Tawhid Education in the National Education System. 2) knowing the relevance of the National Education System Law No. 20 of 2003 in strengthening the values ​​of Tawhid Education. This type of research is a literature study literature (library research). The primary source of this research uses Law No. 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System. The research results obtained 1) Tawhid education values ​​contained in Chapter II Article 3, Chapter V Article 12 paragraph 1 point A, Chapter X Article 36 paragraph 3 point A, and 2) Relevance of the National Education System Law No 20 of 2003 to strengthening the values ​​of Tawheed education that the main purpose is: "Faithful and devoted to the Almighty God". Then the right of the first student is to get religious education in accordance with a religion that is followed and taught by religious educators. And the curriculum is arranged in accordance with the level of education within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia with the first increase, namely faith and piety.

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