How can teachers’ entrepreneurial competences be developed? A collaborative learning perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 492-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katariina Peltonen

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of collaborative learning in the development of teachers’ entrepreneurial competences in the school context at primary, secondary and vocational levels of education. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on an interpretative and collaborative learning approach to teachers’ entrepreneurial competence development. The empirical work relies on teachers’ written learning reflections collected during the chosen training programme and applies an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method to analyze the data. Findings – The findings demonstrate that collaborative learning can help teachers to adopt a more entrepreneurial teaching approach. The findings highlight that social interaction and collegial support are important “drivers” for building self-confidence, further showing that conceptual and pedagogical renewal leads to an in-depth understanding of the work role and its meaning in society. Research limitations/implications – The study is of an explorative nature and bound to a specific contextual setting in Finland. Therefore further empirical research is needed to affirm the study’s suggestions on the effects of other collaborative learning interactions. Practical implications – The research findings provide new insights for teacher trainers and policy makers on how to enhance entrepreneurial teaching competences. The study concludes with new directions for designing and managing teacher training programmes. Originality/value – The paper enhances the understanding of teachers’ entrepreneurial competences, the role of collaborative peer learning in this process and thus bridges the gap between teacher research and entrepreneurial competence literature.

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 497-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Shaw ◽  
Catherine Cassell

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a piece of empirical work that examines gender differences in how academics make sense of performance within university business schools in the UK.Design/methodology/approachThe research reported draws on data collected using a life history and repertory grid methodology with male and female interviewees from two university business schools.FindingsThe findings are discussed in relation to how academics understand what is valued about their role and what they believe the organisation rewards and values when it comes to promotion. Gender differences are shown to exist in the ways women and men define the academic role and in what they think is important both to themselves and the institution.Originality/valueThe paper presents original data on gender differences within a business school context.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Koski ◽  
Kaisa Martikainen ◽  
Katja Burakoff ◽  
Hannu Vesala ◽  
Kaisa Launonen

Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate the role of the supervisor's support on the effectiveness of a communication training program targeted at staff members who work with individuals who have profound and multiple learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The aim was to explore which aspects of supervisory support influenced the staff members to participate in the programme and the results for the on-going effects of the training. Findings – Staff members reported a need for more supervisory support to maintain the results of the training and to disseminate the new practices to non-trained staff. Originality/value – Although supervisory support seems to benefit staff members during their participation in training programmes, even careful planning and execution of this support cannot ensure its continuation after the training is finished.


Author(s):  
Cliona Ni Bhrolchain

Specialist and advanced nursing roles have started to emerge in paediatrics and paediatricians may be asked to support nurses through their training. While there are specific training programmes for some areas of practice eg, neonatology, there are currently no programmes for others. Paediatricians may therefore find themselves being asked to train nurse specialists outside a formal training programme, or to provide the clinical specialty component linked to a generic MSc course, where the paediatrician may be required to devise a training curriculum specific to their area of practice. Using, neonatology, there are currently no programmes for others. Paediatricians may therefore find themselves being asked to train nurse specialists outside a formal training programme, or to provide the clinical specialty component linked to a generic MSc course, where the paediatrician may be required to devise a training curriculum specific to their area of practice. Using community child health as an example, this paper outlines how paediatricians might approach this, based on the experience of the author. However, the principles outlined can apply to any area of paediatrics.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 443-454
Author(s):  
Nataša Rupčić

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight challenges regarding methodological approach in studying learning organizations as well as the following content related issues: knowledge harvesting in project work, role of middle managers in creating energized learning environment, structuring individual activities to promote learning, impact of context-related factors (spaces of performance) and content-related factors (storytelling) on learning in higher education and diverging assessments of learning organizations with regard to hierarchy and organizational size. Design/methodology/approach Conclusions and models presented in the paper have been designed based on the systems perspective, critical thinking and critical review of previous contributions. Findings Findings refer to suggestions regarding further empirical work based on solid normative contributions in the field of learning organizations in general and its specific topics such as learning in project work, organizational design, role of middle managers, learning organization perceptions and learning challenges in higher education. Research limitations/implications Conclusions and models provided in the paper need further empirical testing and validation. Practical implications Implications for practitioners have been identified in terms of recommendations regarding possible methodological approaches in further studies of learning organizations, as well as regarding the following areas: knowledge creation cycle, structuring of individual activities to promote learning, role of middle managers in creating energized learning environment, learning challenges in higher education and divergent assessments of learning organizations regarding organizational hierarchy and size. Originality/value Contributions from previous authors have been systemically and critically reviewed, adapted models have been provided and suggestions for practitioners in this regard have been offered.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rose White ◽  
Katherine Lister ◽  
Kristian Northend ◽  
Stephen Moore ◽  
Kelly Rayner

Purpose People with intellectual disabilities (ID) can be vulnerable to developing mental health problems. It has been found that participating in regular exercise can help to improve emotional well-being, both in typically developing people and those with ID. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the experiences of community clients with ID who have engaged in a football training programme, and the perceived impacts on attitudes, mood and behaviour. Design/methodology/approach Interviews with seven patients from generic or forensic community ID services were conducted. The transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Two master themes were identified from the interviews, “Striving” and “Togetherness”. Originality/value The most important factors related to taking part in the football programme were the social, emotional and personal growth associated with being part of a team and general enjoyment of being part of something. Although aspects of football knowledge and physical fitness were still evident, their impact seemed to be less significant. The experience of football was overwhelmingly positive.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-370
Author(s):  
Arnab Kundu

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to review the role of self-efficacy in online education with an objective to propose a holistic framework for strengthening participants' self-efficacy, especially in the Asian context.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate the potential role of self-efficacy of the participants of online academic activities, this study followed the conceptual analysis method, which is breaking down concepts into constituent elements to get a superior understanding of a particular philosophy.FindingsThe findings revealed that self-efficacy, the level of confidence someone has to perform a particular task, is an important factor among teachers and students operating online platforms, and enhanced efficacy is capable of encouraging online practices. Finally, the study proposed a framework to strengthen self-efficacy among participants with intervention measures to make online education effective and impressive.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed framework will help stakeholders of online education to improve their efficacy and leverage the potential of online education to the fullest. Millions of first-generation online users in many Asian countries who possess low self-confidence in their ability might find the framework easier for better integration, interaction and collaboration in the online learning environment.Originality/valueA vast literature survey was made before proposing this framework that could open up a new dimension in online education by scaffolding participants' inner thrust.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 948-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seamus J. O’Reilly ◽  
Joe Healy ◽  
Tom Murphy ◽  
Rónán Ó’Dubhghaill

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to a developing literature on continuous improvement (CI), enabled by Lean Six Sigma (LSS), in higher education institutions (HEIs). It reports on the key learning points arising from the initial steps taken by an Irish university on its CI journey. Design/methodology/approach A case study strategy was adopted following a participatory research approach. This approach supports reflexivity and also provides access to all relevant documentation and staff within the case university. Thematic analysis was supported by data reduction and display techniques. Findings The introduction of a LSS approach rather than a reliance on lean alone introduced a structured methodology (DMAIC) that supported simplification of a number of administrative processes. A number of specific improvements were achieved including: Cycle time and cost reduction; customer or employee satisfaction; and rework and error reduction. The findings support the importance of the Readiness Factors as identified by Antony (2014), with particular insight into the role of senior and middle management, the impact of training and deployment of expertise. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on an ongoing, longitudinal, empirical study of a single case study in Ireland. Originality/value This paper tracks the development of CI in a HEI in a longitudinal manner and adds to the emerging the literature in this area. The paper evaluates the role of management at various levels, analyses the use of LSS tools and techniques and evaluated the role of training and capacity building. Implications for Management are shared including: design and role of training programmes, role of champions at various organisational levels, including key functional areas and sustaining momentum.


2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Walsh ◽  
Nicholas Taylor ◽  
Donna Hough ◽  
Paul Brocklehurst

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to evaluate a pilot training programme run by Health Education North West to promote clinical leadership amongst general dental practitioners (GDPs). New powers and responsibilities for clinicians have caused a fundamental shift in the way that local services are planned and delivered in England. GDPs are being appointed onto the boards of local professional networks (LPNs) to influence the way that services are delivered at a local level. Analogous to clinical commissioning groups in medicine, the role of LPNs is to ensure that GDPs lead change and drive up the quality of service provision. Clinical leadership has been argued to be fundamentally important in these new structures, but has received little attention in the dental literature. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews and a focus group were held with participants of the pilot to explore their understanding and experience of clinical leadership. These were recorded, transcribed verbatim and underwent thematic analysis. Findings – Nineteen codes were identified and organized into four themes: nature of clinical leadership, challenges for clinical leaders in dentistry, Leadership Exploration and Discovery programme evaluation and future direction. Practical implications – The research provides an understanding of how GDPs conceptualise clinical leadership and provides recommendations for future leadership training programmes. Originality/value – This is the first evaluation of a leadership programme for GDPs and so helps address the paucity of evidence in the dental literature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-423
Author(s):  
Maximus Gorky Sembiring

PurposeThis study envisioned plausible influential factors on service quality and academic excellence relatable to graduate self-confidence in an open distance learning (ODL) outlook. The objective was to expose the moderating role of academic excellence (graduate satisfaction) between service quality and self-confidence (engagement, achievement, loyalty and opportunity, EALO). It was also of interest to explore how, in what routines factors involved interrelated.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilized exploratory design. Qualitatively, service quality included acclimation, advising, module, tutorial, assessment, feedback and referral factors. Service quality led to academic excellence (GPA, study length, relevance and recognition). Besides, academic excellence influenced self-confidence. Quantitatively, service quality, academic excellence and self-confidence were the independent, moderating and dependent variables. Respondents were randomly selected through a survey of eligible Universitas Terbuka alumni.Findings11 hypotheses were assessed under structural-equation modeling (SEM). Responses from 122 out of 500 graduates were completed. Eight hypotheses were validated by the analysis. The tutorial was the most influential factor followed by module, assessment and acclimation; advising, feedback and referral were excluded. Academic excellence also led to self-confidence. The study was able to visualize a substantial role of academic excellence in moderating service quality to EALO. Besides, important-performance analysis and customer-satisfaction index (IPA-CSI) recognized 21 out of 32 attributes as the pillars of academic excellence.Originality/valueThree of the hypotheses were invalidated by the quantitative analysis. Further inquiry with much broader coverage is then required to diminish the variance to finally find the ideal framework.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Stocks ◽  
Sean Slater

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of a six-and-a-half day, Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) informed training course on staff’s self-efficacy and outcome expectations of managing challenging behaviour (CB). Training programmes for other non-psychology staff were deemed necessary due to the high demand for services and the specialist knowledge held by other professionals or carers. Design/methodology/approach – A repeated measures design was used to capture changes in specific self-efficacy and outcome expectations before and after the training programme. A questionnaire methodology was employed. Findings – Staff self-efficacy and positive outcome expectations increased on all four measured variables following training: understanding of CB, working out the functions of CB, developing and implementing a PBS plan, and managing CB for the benefit of the service user. Research limitations/implications – These findings are considered in light of previous research suggesting an impact on staff practice and burnout. Practical implications – The findings suggest that the training model delivers changes in staff cognition and may be useful in other locations where demand for services is likely to increase in the future. Originality/value – This research considers the impact of a medium length PBS training on staff cognition, evidencing the model’s utility in the current service context.


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