Perspectives of New Trades Tutors to Teaching: Interim findings

Last updated by: Bridget ORegan (Bridget O'Regan) on 24 September 2009 - 4:40pm

Selena Chan from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT), reports on the early stages of her work on this southern hub funded project. Selena is investigating the perspectives beginning tertiary teachers bring with them via their vocational identity as trades people or professionals into their new roles. The study explores the concepts of teaching and craftsmanship which underpin workplace and trades practice. It compares those with established academic scholarship of teaching models to synthesise a conception of the craftsmanship of teaching appropriate to teaching and learning within vocational and applied education.

While still in early stages, five broad themes are already emerging from the research.

  • Motivators for entry into teaching
  • Concepts of teaching in an ITP as compared to training in the workplace
  • Identity formation as trades teachers
  • Suggestions for the improvement of teacher training courses at ITPs (Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics)
  • Support for new tutors not always available

Selena presented these interim findings at the Output 2009-CPIT Research Week held in September. Her main focus was on identity formation as trades teachers with participant comments on ‘identification as a trades person’, ‘moving towards becoming a teacher’, ‘a change in how students are perceived as compared to apprentices being trained in the workplace, and ‘a change in focus for teaching from trade to the literacy skills of students’.

Emergent recommendations to date are

  • the importance of communities of practice
  • use of the ‘apprenticeship’ model to provide mentorship
  • effective induction systems
  • role models.

View Selena’s presentation below or click  for the power point presentation:

 

Parent group: 
Ako Aotearoa Southern Hub