Project Description
This research project aimed to explore how HEI based Teacher Educators (North and South) delivering programmes of Initial Teacher Education and working towards building consensus around a shared future can prepare and support student teachers/ practising teachers across the island of Ireland, during School Placement to negotiate and engage with the concepts of educational (under)achievement, attainment and engagement as manifested in pupil attitudes and behaviours. The research was underpinned by a sociological framework and explored sociological concepts, including; family and family influence on engagement in education, community, culture, identity, diversity, inclusion, inter- culturalism, additional and special educational needs and intersectionality presented through various sociological lenses within school experiences and how these factors/concepts intersect and impact on educational achievement and attainment. The research was conducted by a research team including staff from two collaborating HEIs, (MIE), (St. Mary’s Belfast) and also explored student-teachers’ and practising teachers’ understanding of teacher agency, educational engagement achievement and how teacher agency can impact on pupil levels of achievement and attainment. The research project was set against the background of existing educational priorities on the island of Ireland, the Shared Island government initiative and drew on policy documents, contemporary literature and evolving research in the field.
Funder
SCoTENS €25,000
Dates
2021-2022
Research Team
Dr Melanie Ní Dhuinn, MIE (PI)
Dr Julie Hamilton, St. Mary’s University College
Ms Tandeep Kaur (Research Assistant)
Outputs
The final project report is available here
Conference Presentation at Association of Teacher Educators(ATE) United States by Dr. Melanie Ní Dhuinn (PI) and Dr. Kathryn Will and Dr Heather Pacheco-Guffrey (Research advisory team members). (2023, March). “SHARED- Maximizing a Social Justice Pedagogy in primary/elementary teacher education”, Association of Teacher Educators Annual Meeting, 2023, Jacksonville, Florida.
Journal Article (in edit) Irish Journal of Education (Educational Research Centre) Meaningful Methodologies in Initial Teacher Education Practicum Research.