Teachers' concerns about the CAPE Communication Studies innovation
Date
2008
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
School of Education, UWI, St. Augustine
Abstract
This paper examines teachers' concerns about the CAPE Communication Studies innovation. Data from two teachers were analysed using the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM), a theoretical model used to describe and explain the concerns teachers have when implementing an externally mandated educational innovation, in terms of seven developmental stages. The study utilized a qualitative case study design to elicit data. The data collected revealed that, initially, the two teachers had primarily intense self-oriented concerns-Awareness, Informational, and Personal. However, only one teacher expressed concerns, though less intensely at the impact stage-Collaboration. The teachers thus had a conglomeration of concerns but with different degrees of intensity, consistent with the published research literature in the field. Findings also revealed that a lack of administration support, ineffective workshops, and lack of a professional collaborative ethos at the school were factors that impacted on their concerns. The paper further indicates that in an effort to be relevant to teachers who are implementing educational innovations, intervention strategies to facilitate change should address the resolution of the different concerns as they emerge
Description
Table of Contents
Keywords
Communication studies, Secondary school teachers, Teacher attitudes, Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination, Educational innovations, Curriculum implementation, Implemented curriculum, Trinidad and Tobago
Citation
Harry, S. (2008). Teachers' concerns about the CAPE Communication Studies innovation. In L. Quamina-Aiyejina (Ed.), Reconceptualising the agenda for education in the Caribbean: Proceedings of the 2007 Biennial Cross-Campus Conference in Education, April 23-26, 2007, School of Education, UWI, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago (pp. 203-215). St. Augustine, Trinidad: School of Education, UWI.