Collaboration/Networking in Education, its contribution to schools

The underlying purpose of this empirical study is to discover how collaboration / networking in education can facilitate the development of education in our society. It deals with how collaboration / networking can contribute to the teaching and learning in our schools through the encouragement of an open atmosphere of learning, inclusive of all the partners in education. This, in its turn, shows the enhancement possibilities it provides for participating teachers, both professionally and personally, and for students, in the improvement of teaching and learning in the classroom. The dissertation opens with a glance at education in Ireland to date in relation to the topic of collaboration / networking. The review of literature draws on current publications in order to set the context of collaboration / networking in education in Ireland. The empirical research element of this study has come from interviews, conducted with Principals, Teachers and an Education Officer, all of whom are currently involved in pilot initiatives, under the auspices of the National University of Ireland Maynooth, which embrace collaborative endeavours. This study aims to explore the policies and practices which could enable such collaborative / networking endeavours and through the interviews to determine the desirability of such a culture among those engaged in the pilot schemes and the supports found to be conducive to its establishment. The analysis of the interviewees’ viewpoints highlighted the positive impact of the current initiatives in relation to both the collaboration among teachers and the affects it is having on teaching and learning in the classroom.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

National University of Ireland Maynooth

Year dc:date.issued

2000

Author dc:creator

• Moloney, Margaret

• Education

Language dc:language

en