Research and Scholarship Workshop

‘THE PROFESSIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY’

Self Knowledge

Self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom and therefore the beginning of transformation or regeneration (Krishnamurti 1975, p. 43).

OBJECTIVEConstruct a ‘professional autobiography’ as part of

youraction enquiry report articulating

Your experiencesYour beliefsYour values

in order to

explore personal bias

A ‘professional autobiography’ in research terms isfundamental

Practitioner Researchers-Lifelong Learners

Young (2000) successful lifelong learners can:•Conceptualise what they do and know by seeing it as part of the whole;

•Apply what they know in situations and in the process be able to review their previous knowledge;

• Connect what they know to knowledge of other specialists, whether in institutions, educational workplaces or elsewhere (Young, 2000- p. 109).

Looking back to discover your standpoint

Green (1991) wrote:Looking back, recapturing their stories, teachers can recover their own standpoints on the social world. Reminded of the importance of biographical situation and the ways, in which it conditions perspectives, they may be able to understand the provisional character of their knowing, of all knowing. They may come to see that, like other living beings, they could discern

profiles, aspects of the world (p. 12).

Constructivist Theory

• Experiences

• Beliefs and Values

• Construction of the World

• Predictions-Perceptions

• Observation Reflection and Research Potential to Unlock Construct and Reconstruct.

(see also Kelly Repertory Grids and Construct Theory)

Example 1

Example 2

Issues to Consider Around ‘Professional Autobiography’

Your experiences influence your beliefs and values and how you see the world

Your life and career experience leads you to ask questions and will influence your analysis

Inherent bias of the research is best exposed and acknowledged

Avoid claiming your research is completely objective

The Professional Autobiography is

A focused ‘developed CV’

A more reflective account of your professional life

Reflections on issues and concerns that you have faced

A reflection of your interests

The Professional Autobiography should include

Key moments/critical incidents that have shaped the way you think and work

People who have been important to you in your career and the influence they have had on you and why.

The issues and concerns you have

Your interest in your current topic of study

Structure

• Events and Experiences

• Beliefs and Values

• Pre Research Conceptual model

• Bias and Subjectivity

Assessment Criteria

Completing this work should enable you to demonstrate

the MA criteria to do with showing:-

An understanding of research and scholarship as form of knowledge creation

An understanding of research methodology and methods

Self critical and self-evaluative skills

Task and Discussion1. Write a brief page outlining your answers to the following:

(1) Outline the details of your professional life, which have informed your

interest and beliefs about this focus.(2) Describe any critical or significant incidents that have informed your

thinking on this. (3) Identify from your experience the key concepts and interactions?

(4) What are your interests and beliefs about this focus?

10. Post the document to the group and discuss.

What beliefs and values are revealed by these stories Place the discussion in your portfolio

References

Punia R 2004 My Curriculum: The making of an International Educator with Spiritual values. EdD thesis. www.actionresearch.net/living/1.punia.pdf last accessed Feb 2012