Educational foundations in Trinidad and Tobago: Reformulating a Masters course and building a learning community

Authors

  • Stephen Geofroy The University of the West Indies
  • Gail Joseph-Alleyne The University of the West Indies
  • Jeniffer Mohammed The University of the West Indies
  • Phaedra Pierre University of Trinidad and Tobago

Keywords:

social competencies, learning community, community building, participant experience.

Abstract

The context of this study is a Masters course in educational foundations, adjusted from an overall theoretical format to one which places heavy emphasis on the social interaction of participants toward the building of a community of learning. In a learning community, situations arise which require of its members social competencies conducive to positive social interaction. Subsequent to the course re-format, a qualitative case study was undertaken to gather responses over two course offerings. Data were analysed from teacher-participants, lecturers and tutors, as well as from sections of an assignment. Teacher experiences reveals that success in building a learning community needs scaffolding through in-depth sensitization into what a learning community entails. The challenge to lecturers is to examine their commitment to an emphasis on community building rather than discrete disciplinary knowledge in the philosophy, psychology and sociology of education.


Author Biographies

  • Stephen Geofroy, The University of the West Indies
    Lecturer in Educational Foundations
  • Gail Joseph-Alleyne, The University of the West Indies
    Part Time Lecturer in Sociology of Education
  • Jeniffer Mohammed, The University of the West Indies
    Director of the School of Education
  • Phaedra Pierre, University of Trinidad and Tobago
    Lecturer in Psychology of Education

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Published

2017-06-28

Issue

Section

General Refereed Papers