Torquing up TAFE teacher traction through a critical spirit discourse

Paper


Tyler, Mark A.. 2009. "Torquing up TAFE teacher traction through a critical spirit discourse." 12th Annual Conference of the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA): Aligning Participants, Policy and Pedagogy: Traction and Tensions in VET Research. Sydney, NSW 16 - 17 Apr 2009
Paper/Presentation Title

Torquing up TAFE teacher traction through a critical spirit discourse

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorTyler, Mark A.
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) 12th Annual Conference: Aligning Participants, Policy and Pedagogy: Traction and Tensions in VET Research
Number of Pages13
Year2009
ISBN9780980527513
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://www.avetra.org.au/annual_conference/presentations-2009.shtml.
Conference/Event12th Annual Conference of the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA): Aligning Participants, Policy and Pedagogy: Traction and Tensions in VET Research
Event Details
12th Annual Conference of the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA): Aligning Participants, Policy and Pedagogy: Traction and Tensions in VET Research
Event Date
16 to end of 17 Apr 2009
Event Location
Sydney, NSW
Abstract

This paper reports on research conducted with TAFE teachers from Queensland and Western Australia. The research is located at the intersection where these teachers’identities met with the discourse of new vocationalism. Scholars have highlighted the tensions that this discourse has produced in the relationships between TAFE and its teachers, and noted that TAFE teachers are pressured to change their subjectivities to better reflect themselves as workers in an educational market focused on economic imperatives, as opposed to notions of themselves as liberal educators, with a focus on lifelong learning, personal transformation, collaborative relationships and social responsibility. This research was driven by the possibility that the concept of ‘critical spirit’ might provide a means for TAFE teachers to gain traction, and to stand their ground in relation to the continued terraforming (or is that terror forming?) of the TAFE teacher terrain produced by the adoption of the new vocational discourse. This interpretative research was conceptualised by synthesising sociocultural
perspectives of discourse as a reality building tool, with notions of critical thinker dispositions referred to as critical spirit. Using a discourse analysis methodology,
selected TAFE teacher artefacts were analysed. This research extended previous findings of a critical spirit discourse manifest within TAFE teacher case narrative
artefacts (Tyler, 2008) by explicitly engaging a group of TAFE teachers in a critical spirit discourse to discover what value it had for them. Semi-structured interviews
revealed that an explicit engagement with a critical spirit discourse was of value to these TAFE teachers, as: a reflective tool, constructs for practice and self understanding, and for some, an identity construct.

KeywordsTAFE, TAFE teachers, teacher identity, critical spirit, neo liberalism, vocational education, VET, reflective, discourse
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390114. Vocational education and training curriculum and pedagogy
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsFaculty of Education
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9z03v/torquing-up-tafe-teacher-traction-through-a-critical-spirit-discourse

Download files


Published Version
Tyler_AVETRA_2010_PV.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 1887
    total views
  • 124
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Evaluating our research team's first three years to identify broader strategies for effective and sustainable capacity constructions
Tyler, Mark A., Turner, Michelle, Peel, Karen, Oliver, Mark E., Noble, Karen, Midgley, Warren, McLennan, Brad, McIlveen, Peter, Matthews, Karl J., Jones, Janice Kathleen, Henderson, Robyn, Fogarty, Roderick J., De George-Walker, Linda, Davies, Andrew, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Baguley, Margaret and Arden, Catherine H.. 2012. "Evaluating our research team's first three years to identify broader strategies for effective and sustainable capacity constructions." Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Robyn, Henderson, Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H. (ed.) Constructing capacities: building capabilities through learning and engagement. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 256-275
Analysing approaches to constructing capacities
Arden, Catherine H., Baguley, Margaret, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Davies, Andrew, De George-Walker, Linda, Fogarty, Roderick J., Henderson, Robyn, Matthews, Karl J., Jones, Janice, McIlveen, Peter, McLennan, Brad, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Oliver, Mark E., Peel, Karen, Turner, Michelle and Tyler, Mark A.. 2012. "Analysing approaches to constructing capacities." Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H. (ed.) Constructing capacities: building capabilities through learning and engagement. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 4-30
A tango in VET: whose notion of 'TAFE teacher' leads?
Tyler, Mark A.. 2011. "A tango in VET: whose notion of 'TAFE teacher' leads?" Midgley, Warren, Tyler, Mark A., Danaher, Patrick Alan and Mander, Alison (ed.) Beyond binaries in education research . New York, USA. Routledge. pp. 89-99
Constructing and deconstructing binaries in education research
Mander, Alison, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Tyler, Mark A. and Midgley, Warren. 2011. "Constructing and deconstructing binaries in education research." Midgley, Warren, Tyler, Mark A., Danaher, Patrick Alan and Mander, Alison (ed.) Beyond binaries in education research. United States. Routledge. pp. 1-12
Mentoring first year police constables: police mentors' perspectives
Tyler, Mark A. and McKenzie, William E.. 2011. "Mentoring first year police constables: police mentors' perspectives." Journal of Workplace Learning: employee counselling today. 23 (8), pp. 518-530. https://doi.org/10.1108/13665621111174870
Learning and teaching strategies and practices in teacher education through open and distance learning
Postle, Glen and Tyler, Mark A.. 2010. "Learning and teaching strategies and practices in teacher education through open and distance learning." Danaher, Patrick Alan and Umar, Abdurrahman (ed.) Teacher education through open and distance learning. Vancouver, Canada. Commonwealth of Learning. pp. 61-74
Researching an authorial collaboration: reflections on writing a journal article
Arden, Catherine H., Tyler, Mark A. and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2010. "Researching an authorial collaboration: reflections on writing a journal article." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 72-86
Considering collaborations in writing a research book: implications for sustaining a synergistic research team
Tyler, Mark A., Noble, Karen, Midgley, Warren, Henderson, Robyn, De George-Walker, Linda, Danaher, Patrick Alan and Arden, Catherine H.. 2010. "Considering collaborations in writing a research book: implications for sustaining a synergistic research team." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 136-149
Collaborative concept mapping: an education research team leveraging their collaborative efforts
Tyler, Mark A. and De George-Walker, Linda. 2010. "Collaborative concept mapping: an education research team leveraging their collaborative efforts." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 54-71
Sustaining and transforming collaborative research: principles and practices
Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A.. 2010. "Sustaining and transforming collaborative research: principles and practices." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 1-12
Ringing the changes: mapping networks of support for two doctoral students
Tyler, Mark A. and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2010. "Ringing the changes: mapping networks of support for two doctoral students." Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development. 7 (1), pp. 1-15.
Review of Shaireen Rasheed, the existentialist curriculum of action: creating a language of freedom and possibility
Tyler, Mark A.. 2006. "Review of Shaireen Rasheed, the existentialist curriculum of action: creating a language of freedom and possibility." International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 2 (2), pp. 60-61.
Career development learning and work-integrated learning practices in Australian universities
McIlveen, Peter, Brooks, Sally, Lichtenberg, Anna, Smith, Martin, Torjul, Peter and Tyler, Joanne. 2009. "Career development learning and work-integrated learning practices in Australian universities." CDAA National Career Conference 2009. Get Smart: Career development value adds for people and business!. Melbourne, Australia 15 - 17 Apr 2009
Framing futures through notions of a particular 'Community of Practice': what TAFE teachers said
Tyler, Mark A.. 2008. "Framing futures through notions of a particular 'Community of Practice': what TAFE teachers said ." Orr, Debbie, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Danaher, Geoff and Harreveld, R. E. (Bobby) (ed.) 5th International Lifelong Learning Conference: Learning Communities for Framing Lifelong Learning Futures Symposium. Yeppoon, Australia 16 - 19 Jun 2008 Rockhampton, Australia.
Leadership for mobilising change in educating teachers for further education and training
Tyler, Mark A., White, Robert D., Arden, Catherine H. and Danaher, Patrick A.. 2008. "Leadership for mobilising change in educating teachers for further education and training." McConachie, Jeanne, Singh, Michael J., Danaher, Patrick Alan, Nouwens, Fons and Danaher, Geoff (ed.) Changing university learning and teaching: engaging and mobilising leadership, quality and technology. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 5-24
Transforming place, space and inner terrain in three fields of adult education research
Danaher, Patrick Alan, Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H.. 2008. "Transforming place, space and inner terrain in three fields of adult education research." Henderson, Robyn and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Troubling terrains: tactics for traversing and transforming contemporary educational research. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 107-118
Mapping the inner landscape of Australian TAFE teachers: navigating contours by explicating critical spirit
Tyler, Mark A.. 2008. "Mapping the inner landscape of Australian TAFE teachers: navigating contours by explicating critical spirit." Henderson, Robyn and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Troubling terrains: tactics for traversing and transforming contemporary educational research. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 119-136
The whisperings of a Doctor of Philosophy student's phenomenography
Tyler, Mark A.. 2008. "The whisperings of a Doctor of Philosophy student's phenomenography." International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 4 (2), pp. 6-14.
Framing the future of FET: student engagement, quality assurance and lifelong learning in further education and training teacher education programs
Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, P. A. and Tyler, Mark A.. 2008. "Framing the future of FET: student engagement, quality assurance and lifelong learning in further education and training teacher education programs." Orr, Debbie, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Danaher, Geoff and Harreveld, R. E. (Bobby) (ed.) 5th International Lifelong Learning Conference: Reflecting on Successes and Framing Futures. Yeppoon, Australia 16 - 19 Jun 2008 Rockhampton, Australia.
Curriculum leadership, quality and technology in a suite of Australian further education and training teacher education programs: making meaning, performing practice and constructing new learning futures
Danaher, P. A., Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H.. 2007. "Curriculum leadership, quality and technology in a suite of Australian further education and training teacher education programs: making meaning, performing practice and constructing new learning futures." International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 3 (2), pp. 74-83.
Criticality: its reflective utility within a technical and further education workplace context
Tyler, Mark A.. 2006. "Criticality: its reflective utility within a technical and further education workplace context." Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development. 3 (2), pp. 48-56.
Promoting lifelong learning partnerships, pathways and andragogies: issues in evaluating and redesigning the postcompulsory teacher education professional experience at The University Of Southern Queensland
Tyler, Mark A., Arden, Catherine H. and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2006. "Promoting lifelong learning partnerships, pathways and andragogies: issues in evaluating and redesigning the postcompulsory teacher education professional experience at The University Of Southern Queensland." Orr, Debbie, Nouwens, Fons, Macpherson, Colin, Harreveld, R. E. (Bobby) and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) 4th International Lifelong Learning Conference: Lifelong Learning: Partners, Pathways and Pedagogies. Yeppoon, Australia 13 - 16 Jun 2006 Rockhampton, Australia.
Why is it so or indeed 'why isn't it so'?: critical spirit, a partner in Queensland TAFE teachers' lifelong learning
Tyler, Mark A.. 2006. "Why is it so or indeed 'why isn't it so'?: critical spirit, a partner in Queensland TAFE teachers' lifelong learning." Orr, Debbie, Nouwens, Fons, Macpherson, Colin, Harreveld, R. E. (Bobby) and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) 4th International Lifelong Learning Conference: Lifelong Learning: Partners, Pathways and Pedagogies. Yeppoon, Australia 13 - 16 Jun 2006 Rockhampton, Australia.
Struggling for purchase?: what shape does a vocational education and training agenda take within a contemporary university education faculty?
Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan and Tyler, Mark A.. 2005. "Struggling for purchase?: what shape does a vocational education and training agenda take within a contemporary university education faculty?" International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 1 (1), pp. 32-47.