Researching teacher agency in elementary school science using positioning theory and grammar of agency

Journal article

Martin, Jenny. (2020). Researching teacher agency in elementary school science using positioning theory and grammar of agency. Journal of Science Teacher Education. 31(1), pp. 94-113. https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560X.2019.1666628
AuthorsMartin, Jenny
Abstract

The aim of the study is to better understand teacher agency in the provision of science education to elementary school students. This article takes a specific focus on an elementary school teacher, who positioned herself as agentic in science. The study employs grammar of agency for the operationalisation of human agency in discursive psychological terms. Teacher agency in science is defined in the study as a teachers’ positioning as professionally responsible for science teaching to varying degrees. The instrumental case of Denise, an early years teacher at an elementary school in Melbourne, Australia, provides new understanding of teacher agency in elementary school science developing as a process of self-positioning in relation to institutional practices and professional others, supported by professional development. It is of interest to designers of professional development programs, education researchers and leaders in elementary schools. Implications of the study include greater attention to the notion of relational agency in research and professional development provision for elementary school teachers in science.

Keywordsscience education; teacher education; discursive psychology; positioning theory; grammar of agency
Year2020
JournalJournal of Science Teacher Education
Journal citation31 (1), pp. 94-113
PublisherRoutledge
ISSN1046-560X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560X.2019.1666628
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85074348711
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range94-113
Research GroupInstitute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education (ILSTE)
Publisher's version
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All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online03 Oct 2019
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