Teacher Learning in a Community of Practice: A Case Study of ...

Extract from final interview: Shirley
MM:
Shirley:
What are your views on the new curriculum?
You know, I used to be very negative about OBE and the learning areas. I
won't say that I've completely changed my view, but I have seen some
advantages. You know before this, I hadn't been to any OBE workshops. Even
the one I attended, I didn't take it seriously. So what I'm saying is basically
I didn't know much about it, but you know, you hear the stories about how
it's not working. I think after coming to the workshops and listening to how
other people are adapting to it I feel a lot better. It's not so bad (laughs).
I'm actually trying out some of the OBE ideas. I won't say they all worked.
No. But at least I know more about EMS now (laughs).
Like Beth and Shirley, the other research participants had also displayed changes in their
thinking, attitudes and perceptions with respect to the new curriculum. For some teachers,
the shifts in attitude were distinct, moving from being openly negative, towards becoming
guardedly positive, while other teachers experienced less significant shifts.
6.2.2 Teachers' shifting conceptions of the EMS learning area
In this section, I analyse teachers' shifting conceptions and understandings ofthe EMS
learning area by examining their understandings early in the TEMS programme and after
ten months into the programme. I attempt to categorise teachers' understandings on a
continuum ranging from 'very weak' to 'substantially developed' understandings (see
table 6.3 below).
In initial interviews, teachers stated unreservedly and unashamedly that they knew very
little about the new EMS learning area or how to teach it, expressing much insecurity and
apprehension. In response to a question about her knowledge ofoutcomes applicable to
the EMS learning area, Shirley responded as follows in her initial interview:
MM:
Shirley:
MM:
Shirley:
Are you familiar with the four outcomes associated with the EMS learning
area?
No.
So, is it new to you?
Ja, all new to me. Completely new, because it's the first time I'm teaching
OBE. So when I'm writing a prep for the next day, I have to go and read the
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