Irish schools as communities of practice for citizenship education: the experiences of one particular primary school.
O'Brien, Niamh
(2009)
Irish schools as communities of practice for citizenship education: the experiences of one particular primary school.
Doctor of Education thesis, Dublin City University.
This qualitative research study focuses on the development of citizenship education
in one particular primary school by exploring the views and experiences of the
whole school community - pupils, teachers and parents on citizenship and
education. The first part of this study explores the various philosophical theories
which lie behind citizenship as a concept and, later, examines the interconnectedness
of citizenship, democracy and education from a theoretical perspective. The second
part of this thesis is a case study analysis of the understandings, perceptions and
experiences of one particular primary school community of the development of
citizenship education. The findings of the participatory sessions carried out with the
children and the one-to-one interviews conducted with the teachers and parents on
issues related to the development of citizenship education are analysed in the context
of the literature reviewed. The outcomes of the study are presented and some
recommendations for the successful development of citizenship education in terms
of practice, policy and research are proposed