Jack
Hi - Rachael has asked for contributions that focus on our own Living Theory research and that explain what is motivating us in sustaining our commitment and enthusiasm to contine contributing to Living Theory research.
You can access my writings since 1976 from:
https://www.actionresearch.net/writings/writing.shtml with my latest publication:
Whitehead, J. (2019) Creating a living-educational-theory from questions of the kind, 'how do I improve my practice?' 30 years on with Living Theory research. Educational Journal of Living Theories, 12(2): 1-19. Retrieved 18 March 2020 from https://www.actionresearch.net/writings/jack/jwejolts2019.pdf
My original idea of a living-educational-theory is that it is an individual's explanation of their educational influences in their own learning, the learning of others and in the learning of the social formations that influence practice and understanding. Living Theory research refers to the conceptual framework that enables a living-educational-theory researcher to locate their research within the Living Theory tradition.
In relation to our Living Theory research gathering hosted by Rachael on the 27th June I am focusing on enhancing my educational influence in spreading the influence of Living Theory research as a social movement with values of human flourishing.
At the heart of my understanding of this contribution is my relationally dynamic awareness and understanding of myself, my ‘I’ in my relationships with yourself and other Living Theory researchers that evokes and sustains my life-affirming energy and values of human flourishing. Giulia recently introduced me to Alex Honneth’s ideas on the ‘I in the We’ and I have some understanding of Joy’s idea of ‘~i~we~I~us~ relationships.
In three sites of my present practice I am asking, researching and answering my question, ‘How do I improve what I am doing?’ in relation to my practice in enhancing my educational influence in contributing to spreading the influence of Living Theory research as a global social movement with values of human flourishing. Virtual conversations in the post-doctoral Living Theory group and the Living Theory research support group that usual take place on Sundays at 13:30 and 20:00 UK time and the Breakfast Café Conversation group that usually meet face-to-face on Friday mornings between 8:00-9:00 at the Carers’ Centre in Bath. We who are now meeting (from 20th March 2020) virtually because of the closure of the Centre because of the coronavirus pandemic.
When I focus on improving my practice I am aware of two foci. The first is my practice within the conversations as we respond to each other in supporting each other to move forward our enquiries. The second is my practice as an academic researcher in which I am seeking to make (original) contributions to educational knowledge. I am seeking to respond to both foci below.
Here are images and urls for extracts from conversations of the 15th, 20th and 22nd March 2020. I will post this page in the web-site that Rachael has set up for our Living Theory research gathering of the 27th June 2020 at http://www.spanglefish.com/livingtheoryresearchgathering/index.asp
Post-doctoral Living Theory conversation on the 15th March 2020 with (from left to right) Marie Huxtable, Mairin Glenn, Judy McBride, Brian Williamson, Brian Jennings, Liz Campbell and Jack Whitehead. Other participants include Jacqueline Delong, Arianna Briganti and Robyn Pound.
19:54 minute video https://youtu.be/On0B_M7FsgM
Living Theory support group conversation on the 15th March 2020 with (from left to right) Giulia Corozzi, Marie Huxtable, Paula Shore, Margaret Wadsley, Sonia Hutchison, Joy Mounter and Jack Whitehead.
Living Theory support group conversation on the 22nd March 2020 with (from left to right) Sonia Hutchison, Giulia Corozzi, Paula Shore, Margaret Wadsley, Marie Huxtable, Kaz Birk, Joy Mounter, Jack Whitehead.
20:13 minute video https://youtu.be/VzQuNGpJ8Lk
Friday Morning Breakfast Café Conversation on the 20th March 2020 with Rachael Burgess, Marie Huxtable, Robyn Pound, Sonia Hutchison, William House and Jack Whitehead (Shelagh Hatreed is participating but only with sound, Donna Gaywood and Andy Henon also participate)
12:30 minutes https://youtu.be/Tb12oLudHiw
The following 5:39 minute clip of Joy Mounter and Marie Huxtable shows Joy responding to Marie's question to Joy about the advantages and disadvantages of using Living Theory research.
What I intend to do is to edit this page of the 18th March 2020, to explain the educational influences of the post-doctoral and support groups in my own learning, as well as my learning as a doctoral superviser with Joy, in conversation with Marie as I seek to enhance the educational influences of Living Theory research as a social movement. This includes our gathering on the 27th June 2020.
