Living graphs: representing landmarks in the professional and academic development of mid-career teacher educators

Conference paper


Hryniewicz, L., Griffiths, V. and Thompson, S. 2011. Living graphs: representing landmarks in the professional and academic development of mid-career teacher educators.
AuthorsHryniewicz, L., Griffiths, V. and Thompson, S.
TypeConference paper
Description

Background to the Topic
There is increasing interest in the re-conceptualisation of the role of teacher educators and in particular, their developing research identities. This paper relates to the use of an innovative research methodology, living graphs, to capture and represent the life experiences of teacher educators in a case study of two universities in the UK.

Research Questions/ focus of the enquiry
This research builds on an earlier study which investigated the transition of early career teacher educators into higher education and research. The second phase, reported on here, looked at the professional and academic development of mid-career teacher educators using living graphs. Research questions included:

• What are the key landmarks in teacher educators’ professional and academic development and do these differ over time?
• How effective are living graphs as a methodological tool to illuminate teacher educators’ experiences and development?

Research methods
The use of living graphs as a research method alongside qualitative interviews was adapted from a strategy often used in history teaching. A graph was created using a timeline as a horizontal axis and perceived highs and lows of research identity and professional development as the vertical axis. A case study approach was used with purposive sampling to identify six mid career teacher educators in each university. Participants were asked to map their personal biographies, academic and research highs and lows, career landmarks and barriers and successes using this graphic format. This was then used as a basis for discussion and exploration in the interviews.

Theoretical framework
Lave and Wenger's (1991) model of legitimate peripheral participation was used as the theoretical framework for studying teacher educators' development over time. Narrative analysis was used to examine the teacher educators’ own accounts of these perspectives and themes were identified which related to professional and academic identity and development. Participants were asked to reflect on the use of living graphs as a research tool.

Research findings
Living graphs were found to be a rich data source to identify and explore landmarks, positive features and barriers to development. Enhanced verbal input resulted from using graphics to represent highs and lows of experience, including the visual representation of emotion. Questions have arisen about the most effective use of the graphs. This is a useful research tool but needs further clarification and guidelines for use.

References

Lave, J. & Wenger, E. (1991) Situated learning: legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

http://www.thinkinghistory.co.uk/ActivityModel/ActModTimeline.html

KeywordsTeacher educators; living graphs; visual methodologies; professional development
Year2011
ConferenceBritish Educational Research Association Annual Conference
File
Publication process dates
Deposited14 Jun 2012
CompletedSep 2011
Output statusUnpublished
Page range1-29
Permalink -

https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/86983/living-graphs-representing-landmarks-in-the-professional-and-academic-development-of-mid-career-teacher-educators

  • 105
    total views
  • 33
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Policy - a divided context? Early childhood education and care in England
Holman, K. and Hryniewicz, L. 2020. Policy - a divided context? Early childhood education and care in England. in: Hryniewicz, L. and Luff, P. (ed.) Partnership with Parents in Early Childhood Settings: Insights from Five European Countries London Routledge.
Foundations for ECE for sustainable development in England
Holman, K. and Hryniewicz, L. 2016. Foundations for ECE for sustainable development in England.
An examination of the development and nature of professional identity in five Early Years Professionals/ Early Years Teachers in England - a phenomenological study
Hryniewicz, L. 2016. An examination of the development and nature of professional identity in five Early Years Professionals/ Early Years Teachers in England - a phenomenological study. PhD Thesis Canterbury Christ Church University School of Childhood and Education Sciences
Living graphs as a methodological tool: representing landmarks in the professional development of teacher educators
Hryniewicz, L., Griffiths, V. and Thompson, S. 2014. Living graphs as a methodological tool: representing landmarks in the professional development of teacher educators. Teacher Education Advancement Network (TEAN) Journal. 6 (1), pp. 30-40.
Living graphs as a methodological tool representing landmarks in the professional development of teacher educators
Griffiths, V., Hryniewicz, L. and Thompson, S. 2014. Living graphs as a methodological tool representing landmarks in the professional development of teacher educators. Teacher Education Advancement Network (TEAN) Journal. 6 (1), pp. 30-40.
Landmarks in the professional and academic development of mid-career teacher educators
Griffiths, V., Thompson, S. and Hryniewicz, L. 2014. Landmarks in the professional and academic development of mid-career teacher educators. European Journal of Teacher Education. 37 (1), pp. 74-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2013.825241
Living graphs as a methodological tool: representing landmarks in the professional development of mid-career teacher educators
Griffiths, V., Hryniewicz, L. and Thompson, S. 2012. Living graphs as a methodological tool: representing landmarks in the professional development of mid-career teacher educators.
Landmarks in the professional and academic development of mid-career teacher educators: using living graphs
Griffiths, V., Hryniewicz, L. and Thompson, S. 2012. Landmarks in the professional and academic development of mid-career teacher educators: using living graphs.
The introduction of Early Years Professional Status in England
Hryniewicz, L. 2009. The introduction of Early Years Professional Status in England.
Developing research identities: Effective mentoring for teacher educators
Griffiths, V., Thompson, S. and Hryniewicz, L. 2009. Developing research identities: Effective mentoring for teacher educators.
Transforming professional development for an era of interagency leadership
Hryniewicz, L. and Jackson, C. 2010. Transforming professional development for an era of interagency leadership.
Landmarks in the professional and academic development of mid-career teacher educators
Thompson, S., Griffiths, V. and Hryniewicz, L. 2010. Landmarks in the professional and academic development of mid-career teacher educators.
Learning leaders, new professional identities and the implications for children’s centres and early years
Jackson, C. and Hryniewicz, L. 2011. Learning leaders, new professional identities and the implications for children’s centres and early years.
Teacher educators: transition into higher education and developing research identities
Griffiths, V., Thompson, S. and Hryniewicz, L. 2010. Teacher educators: transition into higher education and developing research identities.
Developing a research profile: mentoring and support for teacher educators
Griffiths, V., Thompson, S. and Hryniewicz, L. 2010. Developing a research profile: mentoring and support for teacher educators. Professional Development in Education. 36 (1), pp. 245-262. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415250903457166
Children's views of their workforce
Graham-Matheson, L., Hryniewicz, L., Powell, S., Meehan, P. and Robinson, S. 2009. Children's views of their workforce. Leeds, UK Children's Workforce Network.