Does a Teacher Need Authority to Teach Students Self-Direction? Reflections on Embracing a Paradox

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  • Author(s): Bulterman-Bos, Jacquelien A.
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    Educational Action Research. 2022 30(3):377-394.
  • Publication Date:
    2022
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      18
    • Education Level:
      Secondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Educational Environment; Leadership; Self Management; Student Role; Power Structure; Student Behavior; Teacher Student Relationship; Classroom Techniques; Secondary Schools; Urban Schools; Foreign Countries
    • Subject Terms:
      Netherlands
    • Accession Number:
      10.1080/09650792.2020.1806895
    • ISSN:
      0965-0792
      1747-5074
    • Abstract:
      Omer's concept of 'New Authority' wants to avoid both the use of power and the harms of a permissive climate. 'New Authority' fosters good relationships with the child and operates in a network of educators with similar values. In the participative action research described in this article, I focus on the question of whether I could include students in an urban classroom in a New Authority Network. I designed a learning environment that was intended to foster some degree of shared leadership and self-direction. Based on the study of 22 lessons, the student texts, and the evaluation of the project, I conclude that in this learning environment, the students had indeed played a role in the New Authority Network, but that student self-direction also depended on the authority of the teacher and, in cases of unproductive behaviour, some use of power was inevitable. This created a paradox because I was committed to self-direction. I consider Hannah Arendt's assertion that authority is derived from a 'transcendent source' and explain why I found Arendt's notion relevant in embracing this paradox.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2022
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1356567