scholarly journals Ensemble mentorship as a decolonising and relational practice in Canada

Author(s):  
Yvonne Poitras Pratt ◽  
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Sulyn Bodnaresko ◽  
Michelle Scott ◽  
◽  
...  

Inspired by collaborating on a shared vision of reconciliation, three authors explore ethical relationality and the practical ways in which their heterarchical ensemble mentorship serves to decolonise and advance a shared vision of reconciliation for university teaching and learning. As Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, we are buoyed by those developing decolonising and Indigenising strategies in formerly colonised regions. Seen as a promising interruption to a neoliberal approach to education, the authors embrace the possibilities of imagining and creating an ethical space in universities where relationality is prioritised in service of social justice. While the complex nature of reconciliation within a Canadian context begets tension and highlights what are often conflicting value systems within academe, we maintain that innovations in teaching and learning are possible in what is now a globally disrupted terrain as students, faculty, administrators, and university leadership contend with the unknown, encounter collectivist Indigenous traditions, and tentatively explore decolonisation as an ethical avenue towards inclusive and empowering education. In imagining what is possible, we build upon Indigenous knowledge traditions and the work of leadership studies scholars to propose 'ensemble mentorship' between students and faculty as a collaborative and decolonising teaching and learning practice.

Author(s):  
Gabriela Albertina Serrano Heredia

ABSTRACTIt is considered paramount concern depriving, in this globalized world to rethink the axiological models that determine the attitudes of those involved in education, with the aim to reposition the role of teachers in personal, professional and public life learner. In the formative process of teaching and learning, the teacher transmits to his students: values, attitudes and knowledge. If we assume that teaching is to encourage students to reflect to make judgments critically and develop skills in the pursuit of knowledge and reinforce attitudes are looking for the education of students as a result of acting trained teachers and committed ethics and / or securities training, which means establishing scales, deciding on priorities, learn to value their own decisions and not others to choose.RESUMENSe considera de suma importancia la preocupación que priva, en este mundo globalizado de replantear los es-quemas axiológicos que determinan las actitudes de los actores involucrados en la educación, teniendo como propósito el reposicionamiento de la función del docente en la vida personal, profesional y pública del educando. En el proceso formativo de Enseñanza-Aprendizaje, el docente transmite a sus estudiantes: valores, actitudes y conocimientos. Si partimos de que enseñar es estimular a los alumnos a reflexionar para establecer juicios en forma crítica, así como desarrollar habilidades en la búsqueda del conocimiento y reforzar actitudes, se está buscando la educación integral de los estudiantes, como consecuencia del actuar docente capacitado y comprometido con la formación ética y/o en valores, que significa establecer escalas, decidirse por prioridades, aprender a valorar las propias decisiones y no que otros las elijan. Contacto principal: [email protected]


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 221258682110070
Author(s):  
Ka Ho Mok ◽  
Weiyan Xiong ◽  
Hamzah Nor Bin Aedy Rahman

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has forced online teaching and learning to be the primary instruction format in higher education globally. One of the worrying concerns about online learning is whether this method is effective, specifically when compared to face-to-face classes. This descriptive quantitative study investigates how students in higher education institutions in Hong Kong evaluated their online learning experiences during the pandemic, including the factors influencing their digital learning experiences. By analysing the survey responses from 1,227 university students in Hong Kong, this study found that most of the respondents felt dissatisfied with their online learning experiences and effectiveness. Meanwhile, this study confirms that respondents’ household income level and information technology literacy affected their online learning effectiveness. Moreover, this study highlights the significant contributions of the community of inquiry, which places social presence on the promotion of a whole person development that could not be achieved when relying mainly on online learning. Findings encourage university leaders and instructors to search for multiple course delivery modes to nurture students to become caring leaders with the 21st century skills and knowledge set.


2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Kathryn Strom ◽  
Jason Margolis ◽  
Nihat Polat

Background/Context Despite noted difficulties with defining and assessing teacher dispositions, U.S. state education departments and national accreditation agencies have included dispositions in mandates and standards both for determining teacher quality and for assessing the quality of the teacher preparation programs that certify them. Thus, there remains a significant impetus to specify dispositions to assess, identify what “good” dispositions look like in practice, and determine the best way to measure them. Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we aim to problematize the construct of “teacher dispositions” through a critical synthesis of literature and a discussion of a rhizomatic perspective to generate a (re)conceptualization that is more closely aligned with the immensely complex nature of teaching and learning. Second, we draw on samples of university-generated teacher disposition assessment tools to provide concrete examples that “put to work” this complex perspective on dispositions. Research Design To apply ideas introduced in our rhizomatic framework focused on multiple, dynamic assemblages, we conducted a qualitative textual analysis of a sample of 16 widely available assessment tools used by university-based teacher preparation programs to measure teachers’ professional dispositions. Findings and Conclusions Overall, the vast majority of disposition criteria included in the tools reviewed were temporal and relational, seeking to assess the interactions of the teacher candidate amidst a variety of potential circumstances as well as material and discursive factors. This reveals a paradox, however, since, despite their more contextual phrasing, these criteria ultimately seek to assess an individual and are high-stakes only for that teacher. Yet, we suggest that the results of this review may be an indication that the field is moving toward a more multifaceted vision of teaching that can better take into account the dynamic, situated, and relational nature of teaching activity. We also suggest the language accounting for some of the complexity of teaching in the disposition assessment tools we reviewed may be an entry point into a more dynamic, vital materialist vision of the profession.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Univest Univest ◽  
Beatriz Amante Garcia ◽  
María Martínez Martínez

The V International UNIVEST Conference aimed to provide an integrative and critical outlook on the assessment process, considering it as an activity integrated in general university teaching, with the active participation of all subjects involved at all educational stages. With that main goal, the emphasis in this edition was on creating a forum to debate and exchange ideas about university teaching and learning processes and the importance of placing students in the centre of those processes. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Manuel Claro-Vásquez

ResumenEl presente artículo describio las valoraciones que hacen los docentes sobre los usos de la plataforma virtual como un recurso de enseñanza y aprendizaje en los cursos de informática de la Universidad de Santander, sede Cúcuta.  Para la recolección de la información necesaria para la investigación se empleó una encuesta aplicada a ocho profesores pertenecientes al Departamento de Sistemas de la Universidad. Esta encuesta se complementó con una entrevista semiestructurada centrada en las experiencias subjetivas de tres docentes. Entre los resultados más relevantes aparece que los profesores que participaron en el estudio utilizan frecuentemente la plataforma virtual como complemento para el desarrollo de sus cursos. El manejo apropiado de la plataforma se lleva a cabo como un proceso dinámico e interactivo de tal manera que el profesor constituye la base fundamental de la construcción de ideas en su entorno y muestra que el uso de la plataforma virtual en la formación de los estudiantes universitarios ha logrado que se reflexione sobre las técnicas elementales de la educación y puedan ser aplicadas en los procesos de enseñanza basados en la formación virtual.Palabras clave: recursos pedagógicos, espacios virtuales de aprendizaje, plataforma virtual Moodle, trabajo colaborativo Assessment of the use of the Moodle virtual platform as a pedagogical resource in the university teaching of computer scienceAbstractThis article describes teachers’ assessments regarding the uses of the virtual platform as a teaching and learning resource in informatics courses of the University of Santander, Cúcuta. As a means of collecting the information necessary for the investigation, a survey of eight professors belonging to the Systems Department of the university was carried out. This survey was complemented by a semi-structured interview centered on the subjective experiences of three teachers. Among the most relevant results, it appears that the professors who participated in the study frequently use the virtual platform as a complement for the development of their courses. The appropriate management of the platform is executed as a dynamic and interactive process, in such a way that the teacher functions as the fundamental basis for the construction of ideas in its environment. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the use of the virtual platform in the training of university students has managed to reflect on the elementary techniques of education and can be applied in teaching processes based on virtual training.Keywords: pedagogical resources, virtual learning spaces, Moodle virtual platform, collaborative work, Valoração do uso da plataforma virtual Moodle como recurso pedagógico no ensino universitário da informática.Avaliação do uso da plataforma virtual Moodle como recurso pedagógico no ensino Universitário de informáticaResumoResumo: Este artigo descreve as avaliações feitas pelos professores sobre os usos da plataforma virtual como recurso de ensino e aprendizagem nos cursos de informática da Universidade de Santander, Cúcuta. Para a recolha das informações necessárias para a investigação, foi utilizada uma pesquisa aplicada a oito professores pertencentes ao Departamento de Sistemas da Universidade. Esta pesquisa foi complementada por uma entrevista semi-estruturada centrada nas experiências subjetivasde três professores. Entre os resultados mais relevantes, parece que os professores que participaram no estudo freqüentemente usam a plataforma virtual como complemento para o desenvolvimento de seuscursos. O gerenciamento apropriado da plataforma é realizado como um processo dinâmico e interativo, de tal forma que o professor é a base fundamental da construção de idéias em seu ambiente e mostra que o uso da plataforma virtual na formação de estudantes universitários conseguiu refletir sobre as técnicas elementares de educação e pode ser aplicado em processos de ensino baseados em treinamento virtual.Palavras-chave: recursos pedagógicos, espaços virtuais de aprendizagem, plataforma virtual Moodle, trabalho colaborativo 


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Ribeiro ◽  
Juliana Paulin

Context: Rethinking mathematics teaching practices in a university context is an emerging research theme. Objectives: In this article, we aim to discuss the limits and possibilities of using mathematical tasks in the teaching and learning processes of the concepts of Derivative, Integral and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Design: The study is based on a qualitative-interpretative perspective of research, with methodological procedures inspired by a Design-Based Research. Environment and participants: The research was developed with students attending a Functions of a Variable class in a public university in the state of São Paulo. Data collection and analysis: Data were collected through mathematical tasks on Differential and Integral Calculus solved by students. The protocols produced were analysed, pointing out the main aspects identified, which led us to organize categories of analysis and dimensions (i) knowledges mobilized and developed by students in relation to mathematical concepts; (ii) main errors and difficulties presented by students in the development of tasks; (iii) limits and possibilities of the practice of exploratory teaching in the university context. Results: The results reveal aspects that characterize a process of resignifying the mathematical concepts discussed with the students and a deepening of their knowledge about the concepts of the DIC. Conclusions: As future notes, we suggest rethinking university teaching practice, since the study indicated possibilities and potentialities of the use of exploratory tasks in the teaching of Differential and Integral Calculus.


Author(s):  
Wing Sum Cheung ◽  
Khe Foon Hew

<span>In this paper, we share two blended learning approaches used at the National Institute of Education in Singapore. We have been using these two approaches in the last twelve years in many courses ranging from the diploma to graduate programs. For the first blended learning approach, we integrated one asynchronous communication tool with face to face tutorials, classroom discussions, and a reflection session. For the second blended learning approach, we integrated two asynchronous tools with face to face tutorials in a course. We discuss the theoretical foundation of the two blended learning approaches. In addition, we share insights from these two blended learning approaches, based on the students' data (online postings, questionnaires, reflection logs, and interviews), as well as our own reflections. Finally, we describe and discuss several important lessons learned that could inform the design of future instructional strategies in implementing blended learning in university teaching and learning settings.</span>


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Prue Gonzalez ◽  
◽  
Beate Mueller ◽  
Kevin Merry ◽  
Colin Jone ◽  
...  

In this Editorial, we take the opportunity to expand on the second Journal of University Teaching and Learning theme, Developing Teaching Practice. Building on Editorial 18(4), which articulated changes to higher education in the period roughly between 1980 and 2021, we believe it is pertinent to explore the changing conceptions of academic as ‘teacher’. We use Engeström’s cultural-historical activity theory as a lens to consider how higher education teachers are situated in the current context of rapid changes arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore possible future purposes of higher education to consider flow-on impacts on the purpose of its teachers and how their roles might change to accommodate future expectations. We assert the need to challenge the notion of the academic as a person who is recruited into higher education largely because of their subject matter expertise and maintains strong commitment to teaching expertise that is grounded in scholarship, critical self-reflection, and agency. In our various teaching and leadership roles, and consistent with the literature, we have observed paradoxical outcomes from the nexus between risk, innovation and development, driving risk aversity and risk management, with significant (contradictory) impacts on teaching, teachers and student learning. The barriers to implementing innovative curricula include questions of do students get a standardised and ‘safe’ educational experience or are they challenged and afforded the opportunity to transform and grow? Are they allowed to fail? Related, do teachers have genuine agency, as an educator, or are they positioned as agents of a higher education system? We explore these questions and invite our readers to engage in serious reflexivity and identify strategies that help them question their attitudes, thought processes, and assumptions about teaching and student learning. We welcome papers that contribute values-based conversations seeking to continue exploring ways of dealing with and adapting to change in our teaching practices, case studies of learning through failure, change and adaptation and the development of the field.


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