Sets out to examine five school‐based initial teacher trainingschemes and to assess the most successful aspects of each. Aims inparticular to investigate the ways in which student…
Abstract
Sets out to examine five school‐based initial teacher training schemes and to assess the most successful aspects of each. Aims in particular to investigate the ways in which student teachers are encouraged and assisted systematically to reflect on their practice. All those interviewed (student teachers, mentors and university tutors) recognized reflection as a crucial component of the mentoring process for structuring the analysis of teaching, but considered it a complex and challenging activity. Mentors lacked confidence in their ability to analyse and make explicit their implicit theories of teaching. Furthermore, they were inhibited by a lack of training, the time available and by the absence of a collaborative and supportive working environment. Learning to teach undoubtedly involves the mastery of reflective practice in which teaching performance is developed simultaneously with thinking about teaching.
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The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework of reflection that opens the way to a fuller understanding of what is meant by learning to be enterprising in schools…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework of reflection that opens the way to a fuller understanding of what is meant by learning to be enterprising in schools, particularly during the basic schooling of students (at both the primary and secondary levels). Working from Dewey's philosophy of experience, the paper advances a new definition, in processual terms, of being enterprising and a related model of learning to be enterprising.
Design/methodology/approach
The backdrop of this theoretical article is enterprise education, currently associated with a broader view of entrepreneurship. The text begins with a critique of existing definitions of being enterprising, showing their limitations from an educational point of view. It then proposes an exploration of Dewey's philosophy of experience and its educational corollaries, all with a view to sketching out a model of learning to be enterprising.
Findings
John Dewey's philosophy of experience provides a basis for characterizing the notion of being enterprising in relation to two distinct phases – namely, charting a guiding direction for the action to be undertaken and putting the plan of action to the test in experience. Dewey also highlights the importance of reflexivity throughout this entire process. The coherent structuring of these elements lays the groundwork for a model of learning to be enterprising that simultaneously takes into account action and reflection in the classroom entrepreneurial experience.
Originality/value
Being enterprising is closely bound up with action, thus prompting many authors to set out a parallel between enterprise education and experiential learning, with most working from the model proposed by Kolb. The paper returns to the philosophical bases elaborated by Dewey and his vision of experiential learning, associated with his oft‐quoted maxim of “learning by doing.” The value of this conceptual effort consists in acquiring a more operational representation of learning to be enterprising in schools.
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George Kofi Amoako, Kwasi Dartey-Baah and Evans Sokro
The purpose of this paper is to explore how lecturers in both public and private universities in Ghana are motivated to take up teaching as a career using Herzberg’s two-factor…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how lecturers in both public and private universities in Ghana are motivated to take up teaching as a career using Herzberg’s two-factor theory.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, qualitative research design was adopted. Data were collected from 24 lecturers from both public and private universities in Ghana and analysed with NVivo.
Findings
Results from the analysis indicate that public sector university lecturers are generally better motivated than their counterparts at the private sector. Workload is higher at private universities, affecting research and publications negatively. The study also revealed that there are differences in motivation in relation to the hygiene factors between the public and private university teachers.
Research limitations/implications
This study has a few limitations that must be considered and could provide guidance for future study; as this study addressed faculty point of view, future study could investigate from manager’s and other stakeholders’ point of view in order to get a holistic view of the issues under investigation. The sample size could be improved and the study could be conducted in other African countries for the purposes of comparison.
Practical implications
The study shows that many lecturers are not happy in the job for both public and private universities. The findings of the study provide managers in the higher education industry with practical guidelines for strategies to motivate lecturers.
Originality/value
Despite the rapid growth in the educational industry in Ghana, limited studies have been conducted into how lecturers are motivated to stay in teaching. This makes this research unique in Ghana. This study makes an original contribution by comparing how public sector and private sector university lecturers differ in their motivation to teach at the university using Herzberg’s two-factor theory.
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Current drivers in higher education have led to the questioning of traditional placement support methods. Within many programmes, students undertaking practice-based learning…
Abstract
Purpose
Current drivers in higher education have led to the questioning of traditional placement support methods. Within many programmes, students undertaking practice-based learning experience structured, one-to-one support from an academic in the placement location. With the financial and environmental implications of this practice, the potential for using video-based communications as a replacement for face-to-face dialogue was explored. The paper aims to discuss the above issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Three phases of an action research cycle were undertaken; working with students to explore the logistics of implementation, fitness for purpose of the medium and fundamental differences between video and face-to-face dialogue.
Findings
The results from the three phases demonstrated the complexity of video-based communications for placement support. In conclusion, widespread implementation of this medium requires greater consideration and understanding of a wide range of theoretical stand points, and an emphasis on the principles of individualised learning. However, the tensions between individual learning need and mass-delivered curriculum are recognised.
Originality/value
Requests for practical guidance on the implementation of this technology in this context, have directed the development of guidelines underpinned by the findings from this study. Whilst undertaken primarily within physiotherapy, placement-based learning is common to a wide range of subjects. In addition, with increases in international student numbers, support from a distance may necessitate the use of video-based communications. The developed guidelines are not prescriptive, but aim to provide a starting point for both the uninitiated and those moving from personal use of technology to application in academia.