Philosophy and views of Self, Education and Knowledge
Links
Qualitative Research BLOG
ELU's companion site: Imaginative
Spaces
Links
Qualitative Research BLOG
ELU's companion site: Imaginative Spaces
SOSIG: Social Science Information Gateway
MMU Links:
Manchester Metropolitian University:Education and Social Research Institute
ICARE - international research network
Discourse Power Resistance: Conferences
The Enquiry Learning Unit is maintained by John Schostak who is currently a Professor in the Education and Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University
Search this site:
A (very) brief history of the ELU
Go To Resources on the ELU Website
Go to the BLOG for discussion on Qualitative Research
see research methodology books by John Schostak
Education from a standpoint of human rights has almost been lost sight of in the rush for 'standards', 'quality assurance', and the surveillance and control of people in an age characterised as 'postmodern', transformed by the language of 'cyberspace' and the networks of global media ,financial and multi-national corporations. Yet, to be truly postmodern is to be open to the opportunity structures of rapidly changing technologies and cultures. For this, reflective processes of enquiry, educational dialogue and research are essential supports for both individual freedom and creativity and the emergence of communities exploring curricula founded upon freedom and creativity.
What is required is critical reflection on how research can make a radical difference in the lives of people. The ELU archive of papers is a contribution to this aim.
Research focusing on the impact on everyday life of education, political, social, economic and cultural structures and processes is critical in a 'postmodern' age dominated by information media, globalisation and the use and abuse of knowledge. Qualitative and participative action research strategies alongside the appropriate use of quantitative research strategies can provide all decision makers at every level in a given system or organisation with a democratic means of access to information. Such research can provide not just professionals but all concerned with learning, knowledge creation, the politics of knowledge, and cultural studies with a means to adopt a critical stance and formulate strategies to engage in the kind of action that leads to real changes in practice. Change is possible as many will testify. An example is to be found in the 'Early years talking and listening project' which in many ways exemplifies the use of action research to bring about change. But change requires imagination, de-constructing the rigid ways of writing and reading the 'realities' that frame our everyday lives. Opening up imaginative spaces is the purpose of enquiry learning, emancipatory, radical qualitative research and the processes of education.
The purpose of this web site is to contribute to the development of enquiry learning, or enquiry based learning as a basis for evidence based decision making for all, not just professionals, as a basis for everyday living. The term 'enquiry learning' is used in order to make a contrast with the more traditional forms of schooling associated with prescribed curricula and transmission learning. Enquiry learning is about people formulating their own agendas of concern which they wish to explore. The enquiry learning approach is then about promoting the strategies that enable people to identify, choose and explore whatever it is that interests them. The whole process is, at its widest, curiosity driven, that is, driven by one's own motivations and interests. Some may use it to explore workplace, or professional problems, issues, needs. Others may be driven by wider cultural, political or humanitarian interests. It is hoped that this web site may contribute a little to these ends.
The ELU was initially developed to respond to the increasing demands of professionals for learning to be founded upon real life professional practice. Since real life practice does not take place according to neat text-book formulae and since real life is complex, ever changing, professionals need to adopt strategies for learning which enhance their practice. These strategies take the form of enquiries on practice within the context of the place of work. The purpose is to gain better understandings of the complexities of professional work, improve the knowledge, skills and information which guide professional decision making and hence improve the quality of professional action.
The approach of the ELU is fully cross professional. It is of interest to any profession. We have worked with business consultants, health professionals, police officers, psychotherapists and teachers amongst others.
ELU was first placed on the Web at the School of Education, UEA by John Schostak. No new material will be added at this site.
ELU has now transferred to its own site at www.enquirylearning.net and is being maintained and developed by John Schostak who, from September 2003, works at the Manchester Metropolitan University, Institute of Education. The orginal plus new material will be added to this site.
This web site was
initially designed by John Schostak and Daniel Schostak, and implemented
by Daniel Schostak about 1995. It has been re-designed by Mathew Saward
and further revised by John Schostak in 2003 and 2005.