Apprentice, collaborator, colleague, competitor: negotiating the trajectory(ies) of a doctoral student: an activity theory perspective

Paper


Larkin, Kevin M.. 2009. "Apprentice, collaborator, colleague, competitor: negotiating the trajectory(ies) of a doctoral student: an activity theory perspective ." Ryan, Mary and Gough, Noel (ed.) AARE 2008: Australian Association for Research in Education Annual Conference 2008: Changing Climates - Education for Sustainable Futures?. Brisbane, Australia 30 Nov - 04 Dec 2008 Coldstream, Vic., Australia.
Paper/Presentation Title

Apprentice, collaborator, colleague, competitor: negotiating the trajectory(ies) of a doctoral student: an activity theory perspective

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorLarkin, Kevin M.
EditorsRyan, Mary and Gough, Noel
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of AARE 2008: Australian Association for Research in Education Annual Conference 2008: Changing Climates - Education for Sustainable Futures?
Number of Pages25
Year2009
Place of PublicationColdstream, Vic., Australia
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttp://www.aare.edu.au/conf2008/index.htm
Conference/EventAARE 2008: Australian Association for Research in Education Annual Conference 2008: Changing Climates - Education for Sustainable Futures?
Event Details
AARE 2008: Australian Association for Research in Education Annual Conference 2008: Changing Climates - Education for Sustainable Futures?
Event Date
30 Nov 2008 to end of 04 Dec 2008
Event Location
Brisbane, Australia
Abstract

This paper will conceptualise, via an ‘Activity Theory’ approach, the journey of a Doctor of Education (RHD) candidate from Masters student – through the coursework component of the EdD programme, and then onto a Doctor of Education Dissertation. In so doing it seeks to determine whether such an approach is able to ‘capture’ the subjective nature of such a journey. The RHD journey implicitly and explicitly involves membership of an academic community of practice and the author’s various experiences of this membership will provide the ‘dataset’ for this paper. Whilst drawing on earlier Activity Theory iterations, Engestrom’s (1987) 3rd Generation Activity Systems theory, will be primarily utilised to position myself in this system of practice. Drawing on the work of Stevenson (2004), the paper will explore how the elements of Rules and Division of Labour mediate the author’s doctoral experiences. Tensions and complexities (contradictions in Activity Theory terms) within the experience including the influence of social capital; relationships with supervisor(s); relationships with the wider Griffith University community; and access to publishing opportunities in academic journals are conceptualised as avenues for the author to transform himself as researcher and also transform the culture of his research community. The RHD journey, whilst clearly occurring within a specific research community, and defined to a significant extent by the contradictory elements of this community, is at the same time an intensely private experience and this reflection will consequently draw on my lived experience during various stages of the journey. The academic experience is a dynamic one in terms of the author’s various subjectivities – student, apprentice researcher, author, colleague, and competitor. As a way of framing these subjectivities, Membership Categorisation (Baker, 1997), will be used as a way of theorising the role of an active subject choosing from a range of available roles, and responding to a range of discourses within a particular context.

Keywordsactivity theory; doctoral journey; research higher degree; doctoral degrees; supervisors
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520102. Educational psychology
390303. Higher education
500107. Professional ethics
Public Notes

All the Abstracts and Conference Papers in this collection are copyright under Australian law and international conventions. Each Abstract or Conference Paper is copyright by the individual author or authors and may not be reproduced without permission of the author or authors. If necessary AARE will assist those wishing to reproduce the works to locate authors.

Byline AffiliationsGriffith University
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9zzvy/apprentice-collaborator-colleague-competitor-negotiating-the-trajectory-ies-of-a-doctoral-student-an-activity-theory-perspective

Download files


Submitted Version
Larkin_AARE_2008_AV.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 1755
    total views
  • 136
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Empowering educators: promoting enabling teaching and learning in research and practice
Larkin, Kevin, Kawka, Marta, Noble, Karen, van Rensburg, Henriette, Brodie, Lyn and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2015. "Empowering educators: promoting enabling teaching and learning in research and practice." Larkin, Kevin, Kawka, Marta, Noble, Karen, van Rensburg, Henriette, Brodie, Lyn and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Empowering educators: proven principles and successful strategies. London, United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 1-13
Transactional distance theory (TDT): an approach to enhancing knowledge and reducing anxiety of pre-service teachers studying a mathematics education course online
Larkin, Kevin and Jamieson-Proctor, Romina. 2013. "Transactional distance theory (TDT): an approach to enhancing knowledge and reducing anxiety of pre-service teachers studying a mathematics education course online." Steinle, Vicki, Ball, Lynda and Bardini, Caroline (ed.) 36th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA36). Melbourne, Australia 07 - 11 Jul 2013 Adelaide, Australia.
Distance learning at times and places chosen by the learner: adapting resources and learning behaviours for working with mobile digital devices
Jamieson-Proctor, R., Albion, P. and Larkin, K.. 2013. Distance learning at times and places chosen by the learner: adapting resources and learning behaviours for working with mobile digital devices. Armidale, NSW, Australia. University of New England.
Distance and devices: potential barriers to use of wireless handheld devices
Martyn, Julie, Larkin, Kevin, Sander, Teresa, Yuginovich, Trudy and Jamieson-Proctor, Romina. 2014. "Distance and devices: potential barriers to use of wireless handheld devices." Nurse Education Today. 34 (3), pp. 457-461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2013.04.021
Going mobile: each small change requires another
Albion, Peter, Jamieson-Proctor, Romina, Redmond, Petrea, Larkin, Kevin and Maxwell, Andrew. 2012. "Going mobile: each small change requires another." Brown, M., Hartnett, M. and Stewart, T. (ed.) 29th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE 2012). Wellington, New Zealand 25 - 28 Nov 2012 Gold Coast, Australia.
Creating Flickr photo-narratives with first-year teacher education students: The possibilities and pitfalls of designing emergent learning tasks
Kawka, Marta, Larkin, Kevin M. and Danaher, Patrick. 2012. "Creating Flickr photo-narratives with first-year teacher education students: The possibilities and pitfalls of designing emergent learning tasks." Australian Journal of Teacher Education. 37 (11), p. Article 1.
Transforming learning using iPods and Web 2.0 tools
Jamieson-Proctor, Romina and Larkin, Kevin. 2012. "Transforming learning using iPods and Web 2.0 tools." Newhouse, Paul and Pagram, Jeremy (ed.) 2012 Australian Computers in Education Conference: ITs Time: Information Technology in Schools Time (ACEC 2012). Perth, Australia 02 - 05 Oct 2012 Perth, Western Australia.
Learning at times and places chosen by the learner: adapting to study with mobile digital devices
Jamieson-Proctor, Romina, Albion, Peter, Larkin, Kevin, Redmond, Petrea, Harris, Julie, Fasso, Wendy, Sander, Teresa, Yuginovich, Trudy and Maxwell, Andrew. 2012. "Learning at times and places chosen by the learner: adapting to study with mobile digital devices." Newhouse, Paul and Pagram, Jeremy (ed.) 2012 Australian Computers in Education Conference: ITs Time: Information Technology in Schools Time (ACEC 2012). Perth, Australia 02 - 05 Oct 2012 Perth, Western Australia.
TPACK and pre-service teacher mathematics education: defining a signature pedagogy for mathematics education using ICT and based on the metaphor 'mathematics is a language'
Larkin, Kevin, Jamieson-Proctor, Romina and Finger, Glenn. 2012. "TPACK and pre-service teacher mathematics education: defining a signature pedagogy for mathematics education using ICT and based on the metaphor 'mathematics is a language'." Computers in the Schools. 29 (1-2), pp. 207-226. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380569.2012.651424
Emergent learning and interactive media artworks: parameters of interaction for novice groups
Kawka, Marta, Larkin, Kevin and Danaher, P. A.. 2011. "Emergent learning and interactive media artworks: parameters of interaction for novice groups." International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. 12 (7), pp. 40-55. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v12i7.1028
Netbook computers as an appropriate solution for 1:1 computer use in primary schools
Larkin, Kevin and Finger, Glenn. 2011. "Netbook computers as an appropriate solution for 1:1 computer use in primary schools." Australian Educational Computing. 26 (1), pp. 27-34.
Wrestling and wrangling with a worrisome wiki: an account of pedagogical change in the use of a Web 2.0 technology in a first year education course
Kawka, Marta and Larkin, Kevin. 2011. "Wrestling and wrangling with a worrisome wiki: an account of pedagogical change in the use of a Web 2.0 technology in a first year education course." Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development. 8 (1), pp. 38-48.
You use! I use! We use! Questioning the orthodoxy of 1:1 computing in primary schools
Larkin, Kevin. 2011. "You use! I use! We use! Questioning the orthodoxy of 1:1 computing in primary schools." Journal of Research on Technology in Education. 44 (2), pp. 101-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2011.10782581
Informing one-to-one computing in primary schools: student use of netbooks
Larkin, Kevin and Finger, Glenn. 2011. "Informing one-to-one computing in primary schools: student use of netbooks." Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. 27 (3), pp. 514-530.
Investigating student netbook usage using activity theory
Larkin, Kevin M. and Finger, Glenn. 2010. "Investigating student netbook usage using activity theory." Romeo, Geoff and Gronn, Donna (ed.) 2010 Australian Computers in Education Conference: Digital Diversity (ACEC 2010). Melbourne, Australia 06 - 09 Apr 2010 Melbourne, Australia .
Student health and welfare in networked school communities
Larkin, Kevin M., Finger, Glenn and Thompson, Roberta. 2010. "Student health and welfare in networked school communities." Lee, Malcolm and Finger, Glenn (ed.) Developing a networked school community: a guide to realising the vision. Melbourne, Australia. Australian Council for Educational Research. pp. 277-289
Using wireless-enabled personal digital assistants (PDA) to access information and create communication patterns: constructing and transforming knowledge in a year seven classroom
Larkin, Kevin. 2007. "Using wireless-enabled personal digital assistants (PDA) to access information and create communication patterns: constructing and transforming knowledge in a year seven classroom." Brown, Raymond, Finger, Glenn and Rushton, Carole (ed.) Educational Research: Who Needs it? (2006). Gold Coast, Australia Brisbane, Australia.