Since incorporation of further education (FE) in England in 1992, much research has critiqued the performative pressures on FE teachers created by a managerialist audit culture. These critiques have demonstrated the detrimental effects of the technicised delivery of learning outcomes on more learner-centred pedagogies. However, FE policies now purport to place greater emphasis on learner-centredness. In this paper, we question the meanings such policies give to this notion, and examine how they are shaping teachers' practice. Drawing on findings from an ethnographic study of trainee and newly qualified FE teachers, we innovatively apply a social theory of time to analyse the resulting time pressures that teachers encountered. In particular, the distinction between 'clock time' and 'process time' is used as a specific lens through which to interpret the data. We argue that FE policies misappropriate and subvert the notion of learner-centredness by focusing on assessment outcomes; and that they expect teachers to devote more time to learners, but without an associated allocation of adequate time resources. As a result, there may be a danger of losing more teachers from the profession. These findings may have cross-sector relevance in schools and higher education, as well as internationally.
Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine how the culture of teacher accountability has been intensified in further education (FE) under neo-liberalist policy, with the result that the student-teacher relationship has shifted to one of supplier-consumer. The paper focuses on the impact which this shift has had on teachers' pedagogical practice and employment prospects. Design/methodology/approach -The paper draws on data gathered during a three-year ethnographic study which focused on the experiences of trainee and newly qualified teachers working in the FE sector. The data were generated from naturally occurring evidence including reflective diaries, lesson observations and class discussions. Findings -The findings suggest that target-driven college cultures are creating conditions which encourage teachers to "play safe" in terms of pedagogical practice whilst students are becoming increasingly dependent on teacher-led direction in a bid to achieve targets. Not only are teachers being held increasingly accountable for their students' results but their employment prospects are also dependent on them.Research limitations/implications -Although based on a small-scale study, the findings are of sufficient significance to stimulate debate and future research around the issue of how neo-liberalist policy impacts on practice in FE. Practical implications -The paper suggests that for both FE teachers and their students, creative thinking and experimentation may be at risk from the impact of such policy. Originality/value -This paper goes beyond existing critiques of accountability: it argues that as teachers' employment prospects become increasingly dependent on student results, both teachers and their students are vulnerable to focusing on risk-free practices which jeopardise the potential for innovation and autonomy.
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