Exploration of practitioner ‘constructions’ of practice Method: Personal Construct theory

1. Introduction A study of the Scottish reforms. As the policy and practice of pedagogy and curriculum in ALN changes, I am seeking to understand the dynamic of ideological change, how that change is related to issues of power. The dynamic relationship between theory policy and practice. The epistemological break. The changing landscape of social relations. Where professional development sits and what role it has in change • Methodology • Ontological and epistemological position • Mis en abyme – reflexivity - bricoleur • Research as bricolage Locating the research in a theoretical tradition of CRITICAL SOCIAL THEORY which perceives curriculum to be a form of cultural politics: ‘Curriculum is a social and historical construction that links knowledge and power in very specific ways’ (Aronowitz & Giroux, 1991, p.96). Literature review of studies of curriculum reform within this tradition Williams, Popkewitz, Aronowitz, Giroux Exploration of practitioner ‘constructions’ of practice Method: Personal Construct theory Data set: range of material from TQAL cohort 2 , including rep grids, VLE discussions and videos Policy discourses Revisit reflexively policy analysis of 2005, bring into relation with analysis of new policy positions 10 years on. ALNIS refresh, Literacy strategy, Skills strategy Method : CDA Data set: policy artefacts Geneology of discourses of literacies Exploration of cultural- historical shifts in discourse Why ‘social practices’, here, now? Method: Foucauldian geneology Data set: policy and practice artefacts B R I C O L A G E Different tools for different forms of exploration brought into relation with one another Discussion and insights into implications for professional development as a change intervention