A Small Number of Student Teachers Reflect on the Role of Religion in Schooling
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Sara Reilly, 'A Small Number of Student Teachers Reflect on the Role of Religion in Schooling', [Thesis], 2018-05Download Item:
Abstract:
This research project explores the reflections of a small cohort of postgraduate
student teachers on the role of religion in schooling in Ireland. All participants are
postgraduate students at Marino Institute of Education, and are due to graduate in
the autumn of 2018. Participants were purposively targeted to achieve a balance
between those who had and had not undertaken a school placement in an Educate
Together National School (ETNS). Using a qualitative method of semi-structured
interviews to gather data, and an anti-positivist paradigm of analysis, several key
themes emerged. These included teacher integrity and authenticity, faith formation,
initial teacher education, and knowledge of the primary education sector.
The omnipresent nature of religious ethos in primary schools was found to constitute
an obstacle to teacher authenticity and integrity. Faith formation was found to be
extremely time consuming, with a prevailing view that parents should play a more
active role in their children's faith formation. Experiences of the shared ITE
experience were extremely rich and varied. Despite generally positive dispositions
towards alternative school patrons such as Educate Together (ET), widespread
uncertainty of what teaching in such a context would entail prevailed. Although not
prevalent, negative and vicarious experiences were cited as the root of reservations
at the prospect of teaching in ET settings.
Description:
Professional Masters of Education,
Author: Reilly, Sara
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