Collaboration in teacher design teams: Untangling the relationship between experiences of the collaboration process and perceptions of the redesigned curriculum. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jonker, Herma; März, Virginie; Voogt, Joke
• Is Part Of: Studies in educational evaluation. Volume 61(2019)
• Page Start: 138
• Page End: 149
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Process evaluation -- Curriculum design process -- Teacher collaboration -- Teacher design team -- Qualitative research -- Case study research; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Educational tests and measurements -- Periodicals; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Tests et mesures en éducation -- Périodiques; 375.006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.stueduc.2019.03.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-491X

Abstract

Highlights: Collaboration process explains teachers' perceptions of the designed curriculum. Nature of teachers' collaboration is shaped by group and process characteristics. Group characteristics are feelings of cohesion and collaborative task orientation. Process characteristics involve collective activities and structured task approach. Positive experienced characteristics foster positive perceptions of the curriculum. Abstract: This qualitative case study involved exploration of the experiences of teacher educators ( n = 6 ) who collaborated on a curriculum design task. The study offers insights into collaboration processes of teacher design teams in relation to the outcomes of the collaborative work, in the specific context of a curriculum innovation. The role that the collaboration process played in teachers' perceptions of the designed curriculum is described using concepts regarding the nature of collaboration. Results from in-depth interviews and storylines indicated that positive collaboration experiences during the design process explained teachers' positive and/or more explicit perceptions of the designed curriculum. However, perceptions related to the curriculum rationale were an exception to this general pattern: They remained diverse and superficial. Recommendations for practice are given in the form of design guidelines.