Under the Flamboyant Tree: an exploration of learning

'Under the Flamboyant Tree: an exploration of learning' is based on research into the experiences of 10 teachers, teaching assistants and a Local Authority officer participating in a one-week Teachers International Professional Development visit to South Africa. Three related themes are explored. In the first concepts of deep and surface learning (Marton and Säljö (1976)) and profound learning (West-Burnham and Coates (2005)) are investigated to look at the nature of the learning experienced by the research participants. The second theme looks at how a sensation becomes learning and offers a four-stage model outlining the movement from experience to deep or profound learning. In the final theme the nature of continuing professional development (CPD) is explored and a tension identified between a declared aspiration for autonomous, self-directed professionals and the current emphasis on measurement and audit.

Autorentext

Dr Fiona Denny is Head of Workforce Development in Adult and Children's Services, Suffolk County Council, England. Her doctoral studies, completed in 2010 at the University of East Anglia reflect an ongoing professional interest in how people learn and the impact learning has on personal and professional choices.

Klappentext

'Under the Flamboyant Tree: an exploration of learning' is based on research into the experiences of 10 teachers, teaching assistants and a Local Authority officer participating in a one-week Teachers' International Professional Development visit to South Africa. Three related themes are explored. In the first concepts of 'deep' and 'surface' learning (Marton and Säljö (1976)) and 'profound' learning (West-Burnham and Coates (2005)) are investigated to look at the nature of the learning experienced by the research participants. The second theme looks at how a sensation becomes learning and offers a four-stage model outlining the movement from experience to deep or profound learning. In the final theme the nature of continuing professional development (CPD) is explored and a tension identified between a declared aspiration for autonomous, self-directed professionals and the current emphasis on measurement and audit.