Developing holistic practice through reflection, action and theorising

Abstract

This article outlines how I, as a primary teacher engaging with a self-study action research process, have come to a deeper understanding of my practice. It explains how I have also come to an understanding of why I work in the way I do; of how this understanding influences my work, and the significance of this new understanding. My work as a teacher frequently includes doing collaborative digital projects with my class. As I engaged in research on my practice, I initially experienced difficulties problematising this work. I struggled to achieve clarity not only with engaging in critical thinking but also with articulating my educational values. I found Mellor’s idea about ‘the struggle’ helpful as he explains how ‘the struggle’ is at the heart of the research process. My new understanding around these collaborative projects emerged in terms of holistic practice; clarifying my ontological values and learning to think critically. I am now generating an educational theory from my practice as I see my work as a process for developing spiritual and holistic approaches to learning and teaching. I conclude by outlining what I perceive to be the significance of my work and its potential implications for education.

Keywords:

• action research
• self-study
• critical thinking
• reflective practice
• holistic curriculum

Notes

1. See www.iearn.org.

2. You may view the project online: http://www.inver.org/ceantar/Learning_Circle.

3. You can read more online: http://www.iol.ie/~bmullets/Lanslide/index.html.

4. See, for example, http://www.into-elearning.com/course/info.php?id=58.

5. See http://www.teachingcouncil.ie/section1/default.asp?NCID=558.