Introduction
Purpose of the ELU website
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
Introduction
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.
Purpose of the ELU Website
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.
A (very) Brief History of ELU
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.