Critical autobiography in the professional doctorate: improving students’ writing through the device of literature
Article
Eastman, C. and Maguire, K. 2016. Critical autobiography in the professional doctorate: improving students’ writing through the device of literature. Studies in Continuing Education. 38 (3), pp. 355-372. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2016.1180510
Type | Article |
---|---|
Title | Critical autobiography in the professional doctorate: improving students’ writing through the device of literature |
Authors | Eastman, C. and Maguire, K. |
Abstract | This paper argues for a pedagogic practice to overcome the challenges that many professional practitioners face in undertaking a professional doctorate. Recent examination feedback on a professional doctoral programme of 300 candidates in the UK highlighted that a number of candidates often struggle to write persuasively, critically, and reflectively. This paper discusses the impact of a series of workshops designed to support students in resolving the challenges of writing clearly. In our workshops we encouraged the students to conceptualise their professional doctorate as a critical autobiography. In order to foster a critical autobiographical voice in our students, we explored a range of autobiographical texts for students to use as models for their own writing. In addition to offering a description of our teaching practice in these workshops, this paper explores the theoretical background that illuminates our pedagogical choices. Both theory and practice are posited side by side in our paper to uncover mutually illuminating connections in our discussion and evaluation of our attempts to improve students’ writing. We suggest that conceptualising the professional doctorate as critical autobiography is a valuable tool for professional practitioners who struggle to communicate the complexities of their practice confidently and lucidly. |
Keywords | Critical autobiography; criticality; academic writing; professional doctorate; literature |
Research Group | Work and Learning Research Centre |
Publisher | Routledge |
Journal | Studies in Continuing Education |
ISSN | 0158-037X |
Electronic | 1470-126X |
Publication dates | |
Online | 04 May 2016 |
01 Sep 2016 | |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 04 May 2016 |
Accepted | 13 Apr 2016 |
Output status | Published |
Accepted author manuscript | |
Copyright Statement | This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Studies in Continuing Education on 04/05/2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/0158037X.2016.1180510 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2016.1180510 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-84965036790 |
Web of Science identifier | WOS:000382499800006 |
Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/86601
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