In early 1983, the Catholic Education Authority in Sydney issued a major
curriculum document for the systems 210 Primary schools on Religious
Education. One year after the documents' release there was evidence of its
negligible impact in classrooms. Studies of overseas, Australian, and local
system-level changes supported the view that there was relatively limited
documentation of the processes followed in the implementation of system-level
change.
As its starting point, the Field Study pursues the development in eight schools of
a system-stimulated implementation process over twelve months. A historical
perspective of the system is given; implementation of change is defined; and the
approach used in the study is sited in the theoretical context of Action Research.
The body of the study is written in an 'inter-leaving' style. In each Chapter a
chronological descriptive approach is followed and, as appropriate, theoretical
considerations are introduced as a method of reflection and interpretation of the
process. Among the processes under investigation, major consideration is given
to planning, monitoring and collaborative staff development. The specific
strategy of change developed is that of a Co-operative Peer Support Scheme,
based on Goodlad's concept of a "league". Concerns - Based Adoption
Methodology (CBAM) is used as a monitoring technique. An original contribution
to the monitoring processes is the invention and application of a micro-computer
program for analysis of the Stages of Concern of the teacher participants in the
Project.
The salient findings of the Study are that the particular plan had been effective,
and that system planning can only be directional. Monitoring procedures that are
are amenable to use in system-level change were demonstrated to have been
useful. Clear focussing of issues, the generation of locally produced learning
materials, and conscious use of adult learning process enhances the outcomes of
the Project. Finally, the goal-free descriptive approach followed identifies more
sharply new questions requiring further exploration: mechanisms leading to
group formation; the interrelationship between psychic-group and socio-group
processes; the roles of change-agents and the support system; and the quality of
use rather than the percentage of users.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/219450 |
| Date | January 1986 |
| Creators | Whelan, Anthony Peter, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Education |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Anthony Peter Whelan |
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