Welcome, Donal - and I wish I'd had a history teacher like you when I was at
school! (Might have done better than getting my lowest mark in School
Certificate).
All the best with your ongoing work, and thanks for the sharing.
Pip Bruce Ferguson
-----Original Message-----
From: BERA Practitioner-Researcher
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Donal O'
Mahony
Sent: Tuesday, 20 February 2007 2:04 a.m.
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Research based practice
Hi
I am one of the three teachers who presented with Margaret Farren at the
CESI conference last Saturday. My background is as a secondary school
teacher (for the past twenty five years).
I started to study in Dublin City University in Autumn 2005 and am at the
dissertation stage of my MSc (Margaret is supervising).
I am particularly challenged by standards of judgement of my own teaching
practice and the consequential learning of my students.
I am interested in teaching History in a way that not alone enables the
student to engage with the subject and pass their examinations but that
they also come to be 'critical' of society as they think about issues that
confront them.
The value I hold important is democracy - on the lines of Dewey - a mode
of associated living with opportunity accessible to all on equitable
terms. The other value I hold important is providing some space for
students to think in a critical way.
I can see how my practice is changing, that I am improving what I am doing
(small steps) but I am not sure about the learning of my students.
Just some thoughts!
Donal
Donal O Mahony
MSc Student DCU eLearning Strand
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