Strengthening foundation phase teacher education through mentoring
This paper explores a multidimensional mentorship model implemented between lecturers from the foundation phase at the Wits School of Education and four master’s students from the University of Limpopo, as part of the Departments of Education’s research initiative to strengthen foundation phase teac...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2012-07-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Childhood Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/20 |
| _version_ | 1818340098838626304 |
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| author | Kerryn Dixon |
| author_facet | Kerryn Dixon |
| author_sort | Kerryn Dixon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper explores a multidimensional mentorship model implemented between lecturers from the foundation phase at the Wits School of Education and four master’s students from the University of Limpopo, as part of the Departments of Education’s research initiative to strengthen foundation phase teacher education. Using three critical incidents, we interrogate mentors’ experiences of their mentoring practices. Two sets of literature, mentoring and social capital are used as a lens for analysing these incidents. Initial findings suggest the relationship has moved from the initiation to cultivation stage (Kram, 1985; Ragins & Kram, 2007). But, cultural preconceptions, implicit assumptions and institutional practices can impede or enhance information flows and trust. It is argued that weak ties characterised by mentors’ heterogeneity is a strength that has resulted in growing professional development. Through a process of reflection-on-practice, we have begun to think of ourselves as a fledging community of practice. This opens up possibilities for the larger research project. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T15:37:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2594d1b561944cc18fc96d0176faea80 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7674 2223-7682 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T15:37:30Z |
| publishDate | 2012-07-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Childhood Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-2594d1b561944cc18fc96d0176faea802022-12-21T23:39:57ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Childhood Education2223-76742223-76822012-07-0121e1e1610.4102/sajce.v2i1.2014Strengthening foundation phase teacher education through mentoringKerryn Dixon0WITS UniversityThis paper explores a multidimensional mentorship model implemented between lecturers from the foundation phase at the Wits School of Education and four master’s students from the University of Limpopo, as part of the Departments of Education’s research initiative to strengthen foundation phase teacher education. Using three critical incidents, we interrogate mentors’ experiences of their mentoring practices. Two sets of literature, mentoring and social capital are used as a lens for analysing these incidents. Initial findings suggest the relationship has moved from the initiation to cultivation stage (Kram, 1985; Ragins & Kram, 2007). But, cultural preconceptions, implicit assumptions and institutional practices can impede or enhance information flows and trust. It is argued that weak ties characterised by mentors’ heterogeneity is a strength that has resulted in growing professional development. Through a process of reflection-on-practice, we have begun to think of ourselves as a fledging community of practice. This opens up possibilities for the larger research project.https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/20foundation phase (FP)mentoringsocial capitalcritical incidents. |
| spellingShingle | Kerryn Dixon Strengthening foundation phase teacher education through mentoring South African Journal of Childhood Education foundation phase (FP) mentoring social capital critical incidents. |
| title | Strengthening foundation phase teacher education through mentoring |
| title_full | Strengthening foundation phase teacher education through mentoring |
| title_fullStr | Strengthening foundation phase teacher education through mentoring |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strengthening foundation phase teacher education through mentoring |
| title_short | Strengthening foundation phase teacher education through mentoring |
| title_sort | strengthening foundation phase teacher education through mentoring |
| topic | foundation phase (FP) mentoring social capital critical incidents. |
| url | https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/20 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kerryndixon strengtheningfoundationphaseteachereducationthroughmentoring |