Abstract:
This paper reports on research into the professional development experiences of ten teachers and one teacher educator in South Australia through a research and development partnership initiated by the Innovative Links Project (Innovative Links Between Universities and Schools for Teacher Professional Development). In particular it examines the costs to the participants through their involvement in the research partnership.
Analysis of the data revealed that although there were benefits for research partnership participants there were also significant costs in terms of additional pressures on their time, workload and relationships with other staff. These costs were exacerbated by the conflict between the expectations of the research partnership and some structural and cultural features of the school, university and partnership contexts. Through highlighting the areas of conflict, the researcher indicates areas for improvement in future partnerships.
Analysis of the data revealed that although there were benefits for research partnership participants there were also significant costs in terms of additional pressures on their time, workload and relationships with other staff. These costs were exacerbated by the conflict between the expectations of the research partnership and some structural and cultural features of the school, university and partnership contexts. Through highlighting the areas of conflict, the researcher indicates areas for improvement in future partnerships.